Land based Maldives recommendations?

[bluedogs]

Hi. I am looking for recommendations for a land based trip to Maldives. I am mainly interested in seeing the variety of pelagics. Solo senior female diver. Probably won't dive every day, so some topside activities might be nice too.

Accomodations: very comfortable but not 4 Seasons level of luxury

Diving: small groups, no cattle cars...

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

 

[arkstorm]

People of conscience should avoid visiting the Maldives due to the county's antisemitic ban on Israeli passport holders.

 

[boqurant]

Huh? No need to bring politics into it.

@bluedogs your main choice will be between a local island (which are of course Islamic: dry, and potentially a little conservative) vs a resort island (basically fully Western, anything goes). The resorts are very expensive, and tend to dive the exact same spots as local islands and liveaboards, so there's no much advantage except you can get a deco beer at the resort if that's your thing.

Also the season will come into play a little: during Jul - Sep there's apparently mantas in the islands / atolls north of Male (Hanifaru Bay / Baa Atoll / Raa Atoll being the most famous); during Jan - Mar there's definitely some awesome diving in the deep south (Gaafu Atoll); and the central atolls are good year-round.

You're probably best looking for the dive operator first, and then choose the island accordingly.

Personally I've been considering Baa Atoll, because I've not been north yet. I dived with this outfit when they were located in Maafushi (now they're on Maalhos Island, Baa Atoll) and they were really good The Underwater Institute by Maldives Passions . I'm also considering another outfit also on Maalhos who look pretty good too Packages - Manta Nomad Divers

 

[admikar]

People of conscience should avoid visiting the Maldives due to the county's antisemitic ban on Israeli passport holders.

I noticed you said Israeli, not Jewish passports? Unless there is something else you want to say?

This seems like a good option, although I guess there is not much to do topwise.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g6695188-d967464-Reviews-Ellaidhoo_Maldives_By_Cinnamon-Ellaidhoo_Island.html

 

[Seameadow]

I noticed you said Israeli, not Jewish passports? Unless there is something else you want to say?

This seems like a good option, although I guess there is not much to do topwise.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g6695188-d967464-Reviews-Ellaidhoo_Maldives_By_Cinnamon-Ellaidhoo_Island.html

I stayed at the Ellaidhoo. Can highly recommend it. There is a trip report on SB if you search for it.

 

[boqurant]

Also a general note on topside activities - since you say you're not diving every day.

The Western resorts / hotels tend to occupy tiny islands that weren't originally settled by Maldivians because they're so small / isolated / unusable land & ports etc. I'm fairly sure I'd get cabin fever trapped on one of those tiny resort islands, and I doubt there's much to actually do outside of eating, playing sports or SUP etc, which you can do anywhere.

I'd head to a local island where there's at least some human activity, small shops, cafes, life happening, and you're actually visiting the Maldives proper

 

[bluedogs]

Huh? No need to bring politics into it.

@bluedogs your main choice will be between a local island (which are of course Islamic: dry, and potentially a little conservative) vs a resort island (basically fully Western, anything goes). The resorts are very expensive, and tend to dive the exact same spots as local islands and liveaboards, so there's no much advantage except you can get a deco beer at the resort if that's your thing.

Also the season will come into play a little: during Jul - Sep there's apparently mantas in the islands / atolls north of Male (Hanifaru Bay / Baa Atoll / Raa Atoll being the most famous); during Jan - Mar there's definitely some awesome diving in the deep south (Gaafu Atoll); and the central atolls are good year-round.

You're probably best looking for the dive operator first, and then choose the island accordingly.

Personally I've been considering Baa Atoll, because I've not been north yet. I dived with this outfit when they were located in Maafushi (now they're on Maalhos Island, Baa Atoll) and they were really good The Underwater Institute by Maldives Passions . I'm also considering another outfit also on Maalhos who look pretty good too Packages - Manta Nomad Divers

thank you for the detailed information and suggestions!! Much appreciated.

 

[wgw04024]

From my trip in January, I'd go, dive every day I was there, then leave. The main island didn't seem very appealing at all. I stayed one day/night there before boarding the boat. Other than diving, i didn't see much appeal. Staying in one of the huts, even over the water for a week, I'm not sure what I'd do all day.