diving in the Maldives
Why
The Maldives are located in the heart of the Indian ocean south of Sri Lanka, and
are considered one of the most attractive diving sites in the world. The Maldives
consists of 26 atolls, with 1192 islands that spread out over 750 kilometers. Most
of the land is north of the equator. This superb location promises optimal and stable
conditions throughout the year without any dramatic changes between seasons.
The islands and atolls are actually a gigantic breeding habitat and a home
and shelter for thousands of species of local animals and an important
'crossroads' for pelagic creatures that regularly migrate across the oceans.
The Maldives is classed as home to the largest amount of manta rays in the world.
The maximum altitude in the Maldives is 2 meters only above sea level, so there
isn't any major effect from the land (such as flowing rivers), therefore, the marine
biological system is almost completely natural without any external interference.
When
The Maldives are renowned for their steady climates and calm sea, offering
divers perfect conditions almost all year around. Strangely, there are peak and
low seasons to visit. The most popular months are from November to April.
The rest of the year it may be cloudy throughout the day with local tropical rainfalls.
The Maldives present a magnificent show of tropical marine life. Schools of colorful
fish, manta rays, reef sharks and stunning corals can be seen here all year around.
The food chain in the Maldives is perfectly balanced. The ocean tides lift plankton
from the floor and feed tiny sea creatures as well as the spectacular Manta rays and
whale sharks that are often seen in these waters.
To summarize, and taking into account the risk of tropical weather, you can tour the
Maldives even in low season as the prices are very attractive at that time of year.
How
The Maldives are the perfect place to enjoy either a resort vacation or a dive
cruise vacation. You can of course do both and enjoy both worlds. Nature
enthusiasts opt for the diving cruise whilst the resort vacation is perfect for people
seeking a romantic get away with golden shores, sunbathing and time to relax.
Diving Cruises- are the best and most professional way to reach the
leading dive and snorkeling sites. The dive boat is very comfortable,
well equipped and travels from one spectacular site to the next.
Divers enjoy 3 daily dives and between them indulge in delicious meals,
enjoy comfortable air conditioned rooms for relaxation and sleep.
The boat has spacious decks, perfect for relaxing between dives.
Resort Vacation - the Maldives offer a variety of amazing resorts located on
some of the world's most amazing beaches! Clear lagoons, golden shores and
luxurious bedrooms some of which are built in the ocean itself, allowing you
swim and snorkel directly from your room. Resorts offer superb facilities including
restaurants serving gourmet cuisine, sailing clubs, diving, shops, spa and fitness facilities.
כללי על היעד
אופי הצלילות
מה רואים
האיים המלדיביים משתרעים על קרוב לאלף קילומטרים וכוללים 1192 איים, מהם
192 מיושבים. שטח הים הנרחב מאפשר אין ספור אתרי צלילה ומסלולים מגוונים.
רוב ההפלגות הן משבת עד שבת או ראשון עד ראשון. ישנן גם הפלגות בנות 9, 10 ו-12 יום.
בימי העלייה והירידה מספינה בדרך כלל לא מתבצעות צלילות.
ביום הקודם לירידה מבצעים בד"כ צלילה אחת או שתיים.
מסלול קלאסי
זהו המסלול הנפוץ והמוצלח ביותר סביב Male Atoll , Vaavu Atoll, Ari Atoll.
מסלול זה מבטיח כמעט בוודאות את המפגש עם כל בעלי החיים הימיים המאפיינים את האיים המלדיבים.
המסלול מתאפיין במרחקי הפלגה קצרים יחסית, ראות טובה, ריפים עשירים וצבעוניים, להקות דגים ענקיות,
עטלפי ים וכרישי ריף כמעט בכל אתר. יש סיכוי רב למפגשים עם חיות הים הגדולות: מנטות וכרישי לוויתן.
רב ההפלגה היא בים שקט בצידם המוגן והפנימי של הריפים, כך גם אזורי העגינה בלילה.
ים גבוה יכול להתהוות בחצייה בין האטולים לזמן מוגבל של שעה עד כשלוש שעות.
רוב רובן של הצלילות הן צלילות ריף מדהימות, ו-2 צלילות באוניות טרופות.
עלייה וירידה מהספינה מתבצעת דרך מאלה.
מסלול צפוני
זהו מסלול שונה ומיועד במיוחד לאלו שכבר צללו במסלול הקלאסי ומעדיפים
לעלות צפונה לאזור פופולרי פחות. לעיתים תשולב טיסת פנים בהפלגות אלה.
צלילות ברובן מתבצעות ב Baa Atoll ,Raa Atoll ובצפון Male Atoll.
מסלול זה הוא "טריקי" מאחר ואינו עשיר בחיים כמו המסלול הקלאסי, ועל כן יש בו
סיכון מבחינת חווית העושר התת ימי. מה שהופך את המסלול לאטרקטיבי היא תופעת
טבע המתרחשת אחת לשנה במפרץ Hanifaaru הקטן בו מתקבצות להקות ענק של
מנטות המונות מאות פריטים, כמו גם עשרות כרישי לוויתן. כל זאת באזור קטן מאד.
הסיבה היא הצטברות מאסיבית של פלנקטון באזור זה המושך את המנטות בחודשי אוגוסט
וספטמבר. מאחר ומדובר בתופעת טבע מיוחדת, לא ניתן להבטיח את הצלחת המפגש עם
בעלי החיים הללו דווקא בטיול ספציפי, ועל כן ה"סיכון".
מסלול חצי דרומי
הפלגות מיוחדות בין Male Atoll ל- Laamu Atoll.
ההפלגות בעיקר בחודשים פברואר ובמרץ ומחייבות כיוון אחד של טיסת פנים.
באזור זה ניתן לפגוש את בעלי החיים המאפיינים את המלדיבים, אך הסיכוי למנטות וכרישי לוויתן
קטן מבמסלול הקלאסי. הצלילות לרוב מאתגרות יותר ומאופיינות בצלילות Tunnel וזרמים חזקים.
לרוב ניתן לפגוש הרבה כרישי ריף במסלול זה ובוודאי בשוניות מפותחות יותר מבמסלול הקלאסי.
צוללים באטולים: Male Atoll ,Atoll Ari, Meernu Laamu, Kadhoo , Laamu.
אנו ממליצים לצאת למסלול זה עם נסיון של לפחות 50 צלילות ולאחר שכבר צללתם במסלול הקלאסי.
מסלול דרום רחוק
הפלגות מיוחדות במסלולים דרומיים אל אזור הקו המשווה ואף דרומה ממנו.
עושר תת ימי בהפלגות אלו דומה למה שהיה במלדיבים לפני כ 20 שנה!
בהפלגות הדרומיות ניתן לצפות במנטות כולל במנטה הפאסיפית הענקית, כרישי
לוויתן ביום ובלילה בלילה, כרישי פטיש, כרישי טייגר, כרישועל, מולה מולה ועוד...
שוניות אלמוגים בתוליות ושמורות, ספינות טבועות ועוד הפתעות ומפגשים בלתי צפויים.
ההפלגות בעיקר בחודשים פברואר ובמרץ. במסלול זה יש צורך לרוב בשתי טיסות פנים.
צוללים באטולים: Laamu, Gaaf, Alif, Faomulah, Adu.
ההפלגות מתבצעות באוריינטציה של אקספדיציה (משלחת).
International Time
GMT - + 5
Entry Visa
most nationalities get a 30 days tourist visa is granted at the airport on arrival.
for more information please contact the nearest embassy in your country.
Vaccines
We recommend keeping updated with your Ministry of Health website,
regarding vaccines.
Personal Documents
A passport with at least 6 months validity.
Travel and diving insurance - can be purchased on this site.
A credit card is accepted in most places (but only on some
of the boats) saving the need to carry excess cash.
Diving certificate, valid diving insurance and a diving logbook.
Photocopy of your passport, diving certificates and travel insurance.
Make sure to keep it in a separate file from the original documents.
Diving Equipment
It is recommended to bring your own equipment with which you are accustomed
to using, especially a mask and a dive computer. Check your diving equipment
prior to your departure. Rented scuba diving equipment must be booked in advance.
Payment for the equipment will be directly. We recommend a wetsuit according your
personal comfort and the dive sites you plan to dive, although in the Maldives the
thickness of the suit should not exceed 3 mm and you can also dive with a lycra suit
only. Important items to bring along: An inflatable buoy to mark your location attached
to a roller and rope and simple gloves to grip the reef if necessary. An anchor reef against
strong currents and a whistle attached to your BCD.
Photography
The Maldives are one of the world’s most spectacular places both under and above the sea
surface and classed as paradise for photographers, so this is definitely a destination you will
want to document. You do not have to be an expert photographer in order to take superb
photos to capture some amazing, unique and unforgettable moments. Diving packages are
available for most kinds of cameras, for photography above and under water. Easy-to-use
extreme cameras are also a popular choice.
Clothing
It is unnecessary to pack a lot of clothing on a dive holiday in a tropical climate. A light
garment to wear in the day between dives is recommended. One or two buttoned shirts for
the evening can be useful. Wear comfortable clothing and socks for the flight. You do not
have to pack shoes and usually a good sport sandal is adequate. Towels and bedding are
provided by hotels and boats.
Medication and First Aid
Pre-equip yourself with enough personal medication, the chance of obtaining specific
drugs might not be an easy task. Do not forget to stock up on seasickness pills if necessary.
Pack a high factor sunscreen to protect you from prolonged exposure to tropical weather.
Flights
When you receive your flight ticket, please ensure that your name is spelled exactly as
in your passport! Whilst checking in, make sure that the label on your suitcase shows
the final destination of your trip - MLE. You must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours
before departure. The number of bags and their weight should comply with airline
restrictions to avoid overweight charges.
Transportation, Arrival and Pick Up
Maldives International Airport is built on an artificial island close to the main island,
and serves as a prime junction for tourists. Transfers to all destinations are by ship or
speedboat. Resort representatives are located in the entrance hall. Internal flights to
remote resorts depart from the adjacent domestic flight terminal. For departures for
scuba diving, a representative on our behalf will wait at the airport to transfer you to
the liveaboard or hotel in accordance with schedules. You can easily find our
representatives contact's telephone number in the file you receive from us prior your trip.
Communication
Most resorts and liveaboards in the Maldives offer internet connection, however the
connection can be poor and we recommend you purchase a local sim card in the airport
on your arrival. Sims are not expensive and promise independent internet access during
your vacation, calling via WhatsApp, Facebook, Viber and of course sending and
receiving mails. Change the sim in the shop and its integrity.
Weather
The Maldives are characterized by a tropical climate and the weather is pleasant all year
round with monsoons during specific months of the year. During November to April the
weather is usually dry whilst from May to October are usually the rainy season, however
temperatures are more pleasant. Temperatures ate stable all year round between 25 – 31
degrees Celsius and humidity is high.
Sea Conditions
Due to the location the Maldives rely on the surrounding ocean as probably the main
resource and life evolves around the sea. The inhabited and sailing areas are protected
by external atolls that are affected by wave motion and ocean currents.
Most of the activity takes place in a pleasant and calm sea, sometimes seas are high due
to local winds, when crossing these atolls and on liveaboards on their way to the various
dive sites. Some of the sites have currents we will use to dive in their direction or
maintaining position with the help of a reef hook or gloves. Use an inflatable buoy to
mark your position, until the dive boat arrives. Visibility under the water is good, 10-25
meters. Keep in close eye contact with the team leader according to the visibility conditions on the site.
Electrical Supply
230V, we recommend bringing a universal adapter to avoid problems.
The sockets in Malta range and it is better to come equipped.
Money
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyah, however there is no need to exchange
and euros or dollars are accepted by all tourist service providers and prices are shown
in dollars. We recommend bringing small notes with you to purchase souvenirs in the
villages. Credit cards are accepted by tourist service providers, on boats and at hotel
reception desks.
Local Taxes
All prices in the Maldives do not include 12% local tax and 10% service tip, therefore
22% is added to all direct payments at land and on the boats. These taxes are subject to
change by local authorities as they deem fit and without prior notice.
Tips
Tips are commonly paid to tourist service providers and the approximate going rate is
10% in restaurants. When spending several days at a resort or on a liveaboard, between
$60 and $100 per person should be left according to the level of service.
It is advisable to give the tip openly before leaving, as the local team gathers to say goodbye.
What NOT to bring!!
Elements with religious characteristics that are anticlimactic to Islam
Pornography
Alcoholic drinks
Narcotic drugs
Emergency Numbers and Decompression Chambers
POLICE 110
AMBULANCE 102
Male Hospital 3336658
Every atoll has a medical clinic.
Decompression chambers can be found at the following resorts:
Bandos, Sun Island, Kuredu, Kuramathi, Kandoludhoo, Shangri-la Villingili
What is the best vacation option for a diver a resort or a liveaboard vacation?
The answer to this question depends on the purpose of the vacation. If you are
planning a diving vacation, then a resort vacation is less suitable. The best dive
sites are only accessible by boat, ensuring that you arrive at the best site at the
right time to see marine life at its best. If the purpose of your holiday is a romantic
and relaxing holiday and diving is secondary, a resort holiday is perfect and ensures
you enjoy the best of both worlds, with nice areas for local dives. Most people
choose to stay in a resort before or after dives for the ultimate Maldives vacation.
Are Maldives cruises suitable for non-divers?
The answer is definitely yes! The cruise is suitable for anyone who loves nature,
spectacular views, tasty food and total relaxation. Some liveaboards offer spa
programs with 2 treatments a day, yoga sessions, guided snorkeling tours, an
on-board gym and hot tub, so non-divers also enjoy our cruises.
Do I need to be an experienced diver to participate in such a trip?
The Maldives are one of the most comfortable diving destinations in the world
and dive sites are suitable for novice divers. Each liveaboard has a dedicated and
professional team of 2-3 diving instructors and diving is done in small groups.
During a week of intense diving, the level of diving and comfort in the water
improves rapidly.
Do I Have to Dive With Nitrox?
Most modern ships provide 32% oxygen enriched air (Nitrox). On an intensive dive tour
Nitrox can be used to increase the safety ranges by using your dive computer on normal
air condition mode. Beyond that, there is no dramatic effect on the total amount of time
spent in water that is derived from the amount of air in the tank. Using Nitrox is your
choice. Some liveaboards offer free Nitrox, others will charge an extra fee. On some of
the boats, you can get certifies for using Nitrox.
Do we Disembark the Boat?
The boat is actually a floating base on which all dry activities are conducted including
resting periods between dives, air-conditioned rooms, meals, relaxation and tanning
decks and cruises from site to site. All liveaboards have their own dingy which is used
to prepare for dives, fill tanks, access the water etc. During the cruise, there are two
initiated stops. One to a spectacular uninhabited island where you can enjoy a delicious
BBQ dinner and the other to one of the inhabited islands where you can visit a local
village, meet local residents, taker a tour and purchase souvenirs, etc. On the last day
we offer the option to tour the capital city Mala.
Do I Need Medical Approval to Dive?
You do! In principle, the requirement for medical approval is international with a
medical statement accepted by diving organizations. If the answers to all the questions
in your health declaration are negative, then there is no problem. If there are positive
answers, consult your diving doctor and get approval. If you are over the age of 45,
medical approval is required.
Should I Purchase My Own Diving Equipment?
The answer to this question is according to the number of dives. Naturally,
when planning a scuba diving trip, you can decide to purchase full or partial
scuba equipment. We recommend purchasing your own mask and personal
dive computer. We would be happy to be at your service and offer advice on
purchasing equipment.
Do I Need Booties?
As a rule, you should dive as usual. If you have booties and compatible fins
the answer is yes. Keep in mind that diving on dive cruises offer direct sea
access without the need to access from the beach or cross reefs with sea urchins,
therefore fins are ample and booties are not a necessity. Fins are provided by the
liveaboards and we recommend bringing a few pairs of socks to avoid blisters
that can appear after several days of intensive diving.
