Diving recommendations for Maldives

[Shraddha H.]

Hey guys!

Me and my husband are planing on traveling to Maldives this coming year in March. We are PADI Open Water Certified and want to do our Advanced Open water training in Maldives. We would very much appreciate suggestions about the best possible dive sites to spot both mantas and whale sharks considering that we do not want to stay on a Liveaboard! We are open to booking any resort provided it has excellent diving and an opportunity to spot both mantas and whale sharks

Thanks so much in advance!
Shraddha

 

[Freewillow]

Your best bet is on an island on the south side of the Ari Atoll

 

[Tippytoes12]

Boutique Beach apparently has regular spots of both...we hope to go there in May after. Liveaboard. However when you add up the costs you will find that resort diving with taxes and all of the extras may be way more expensive than a liveaboard.

 

[Shraddha H.]

Yea, thats what we have been reading. So we are considering Moofushi Resort which takes excursions for whale sharks and will hopefully also take us to a manta cleaning station.

Thanks so much!

---------- Post added December 30th, 2015 at 03:36 AM ----------

Boutique Beach apparently has regular spots of both...we hope to go there in May after. Liveaboard. However when you add up the costs you will find that resort diving with taxes and all of the extras may be way more expensive than a liveaboard.

Yea I guess it will be more expensive. My husband is not keen taking a liveaboard though. I will look up Boutique Beach thanks! We are also considering Constance Moofushi Resort right now.

 

[Freewillow]

Yea, thats what we have been reading. So we are considering Moofushi Resort which takes excursions for whale sharks and will hopefully also take us to a manta cleaning station.

Thanks so much!

tRY TO CONVINCE YOUR HUSBAND FOR A LIVEBOARD

---------- Post added December 30th, 2015 at 03:36 AM ----------



Yea I guess it will be more expensive. My husband is not keen taking a liveaboard though. I will look up Boutique Beach thanks! We are also considering Constance Moofushi Resort right now.

Well, try to convince your husband for the liveboard. I have done both liveboard and resort and I would not go back to a resort.

Not only are liveboard cheaper, certainly in $$$$/dive but also the selection of spots and the variety will be much larger, you will have more free time and above all, you will be with fellow diver with the same passion to share. In resorts , you will be surprised to see that only a small minority belongs to the diving community.

 

[OnTheSpot]

Too right Freewillow. Maldives liveaboards are the way forward

 

[d.m_danny]

But moofushi doesnt has a whaleshark.trip to south atoll area, it can be 2hours speed boat trip with extra trip cost.
i suggest near lux resort area!

 

[chadmeister]

Hello @Shraddha H.

Where did you end up going? I am looking into Maldives for September...

Thanks!

 

[NYCNaiad]

Hello @Shraddha H.
Where did you end up going? I am looking into Maldives for September...Thanks!

Not sure about Shaddha, but I went on a Maldives liveaboard trip & it was magical! I saw so much more than could be seen on just a dive resort. Highly recommend it.

 

[jfe]

If your looking to go to Maafushi Island I can personally advise Passions Diving. I've dived with them in March this year and everything was top rated, I've enjoyed every moment and you'll go a long way to get better service. Check them out: Maldives Passions (Maafushi Island): Top Tips Before You Go - TripAdvisor