Question Maldives March 2026 - Deep South LOB vs. Fuvahmulah land based

[Lu Y]

Hello,

We are considering a return trip to Maldives in March 2026, currently have 4 options below. Main focus is diving, would like to dive as many top sites as possible, we are used to strong currents.

1. Deep South LOB: Currently considering Scubaspa boat. We have dives Western side of Gaafu Alifu atoll this year (from Raffles), so not sure if some sites will be very similar.
2. Fuvahmulah land-based: More basic accommodation however highest flexibility for diving (found a dive centre who can do 3 dives per day with private boat at an acceptable price)
3. Central route LOB
4. Resort based diving in South Ari (Conrad): main issue is the dive site selection, I have the feeling most high end resorts in Maldives don't go to the dive sites with strong current as guests only want relaxing dives

Does anyone have a perspective on which option might be the best?

Many thanks,
Lu

 

[Blackcrusader]

Please read my post on my Trip May 2025

My buddy and I paid US$ 80 a night for a two bedroom two storey apartment. US$40 a night each is a great deal.

Thread 'Fuvahmulah 08 - 27 May 2025'

May 7, 2025

Heading off to Maldives tomorrow.

Started my journey having my BIL drop me off at the High Speed Railway in Chiayi Taiwan to get to the Hyatt Airport Hotel which has a lower price deal for those flying with China Airlines. IF you have not been to Japan or Taiwan or France or China taking a journey on trains that can run at 350km/h is nice. Super smooth. As I am 4 hours away from the airport and my flight is at 8am I stay a night at the airport hotel. They have free shuttle buses from early am and the ride is around 15 minutes to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. I am flying China Airlines...

• Blackcrusader
• Replies: 25
• Forum: Maldives

 

[Lu Y]

Please read my post on my Trip May 2025

My buddy and I paid US$ 80 a night for a two bedroom two storey apartment. US$40 a night each is a great deal.

Thread 'Fuvahmulah 08 - 27 May 2025'

May 7, 2025

Heading off to Maldives tomorrow.

Started my journey having my BIL drop me off at the High Speed Railway in Chiayi Taiwan to get to the Hyatt Airport Hotel which has a lower price deal for those flying with China Airlines. IF you have not been to Japan or Taiwan or France or China taking a journey on trains that can run at 350km/h is nice. Super smooth. As I am 4 hours away from the airport and my flight is at 8am I stay a night at the airport hotel. They have free shuttle buses from early am and the ride is around 15 minutes to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. I am flying China Airlines...

• Blackcrusader
• Replies: 25
• Forum: Maldives

Thanks Blackscrusader. Indeed I have already read your trip report, what a wonderful trip!

However, I'd welcome some perspectives on the 3 other options as well, so that we can make an informed decision.

 

[Jay_Remi]

I have done the four options listed above, and I'd say it's a no brainer.
Option #1 is by far the best. Not only Scubaspa is a fantastic LOB, but you will access the best dive sites in the south (i.e. Addu, Fuvahmulah, but the best of the best which is Huvadhu atoll, and the amazing Vilingili channel)
If time and money are not a problem, take a two-weeks LOB in the area (whilst Scubaspa does not do that, some LOB do offer this option. I did a 2-weeks LOB focusing only on the South , and it was really nice, as you spend much less time cruising and lots of time in the best channels of Huvadhu).
Also March is perfect season. You'll have a blast!

 

[Lu Y]

I have done the four options listed above, and I'd say it's a no brainer.
Option #1 is by far the best. Not only Scubaspa is a fantastic LOB, but you will access the best dive sites in the south (i.e. Addu, Fuvahmulah, but the best of the best which is Huvadhu atoll, and the amazing Vilingili channel)
If time and money are not a problem, take a two-weeks LOB in the area (whilst Scubaspa does not do that, some LOB do offer this option. I did a 2-weeks LOB focusing only on the South , and it was really nice, as you spend much less time cruising and lots of time in the best channels of Huvadhu).
Also March is perfect season. You'll have a blast!

Hi Jay_Remi,

Thanks for your response. It's amazing to have the perspectives of some who has done all 4 options!!

Time and money are not a problem, we can do 2.5 weeks in Maldives and all LOB are within budgets. Our only consideration is really just the quality of diving and access to the top sites (i.e. not limiting to the relaxing sites without current). Guide to diver ratio is also not an issue as long as they offer private guide for extra fee (will also give us more flexibility for photography).

May I ask if you have any recommendation for the longer itinerary in the South?

Kind regards,
Lu

 

[Jay_Remi]

Hi Jay_Remi,

Thanks for your response. It's amazing to have the perspectives of some who has done all 4 options!!

Time and money are not a problem, we can do 2.5 weeks in Maldives and all LOB are within budgets. Our only consideration is really just the quality of diving and access to the top sites (i.e. not limiting to the relaxing sites without current). Guide to diver ratio is also not an issue as long as they offer private guide for extra fee (will also give us more flexibility for photography).

May I ask if you have any recommendation for the longer itinerary in the South?

Kind regards,
Lu

The LOB I took for he 2 weeks trip only caters to French-speaking crowd. So I guess it would be out of the equation. (if not, let me know and i will give you all info)
I just checked on liveaboard.com and it looks like no other LOBs do a two-weeks trip that focus only on the South (Gan-Gan). You thus have two options:
1. You can take a two weeks LOB trip that starts in Gan, and then finishes in Male (which is nice as you see many different atolls and thus varied UW environment; the con is that it involves quite some cruising, but in 14 days, it's manageable). Carpe Diem does that, Carpe Novo too, Ocean one, Emperor Virgo, Spirit of Maldives, Horizon 3.
2. Another option is to do two Scubaspa Yang in a row, from March 7 (Gan-Koodoo) to March 21 (Koodoo Male). It's still two weeks, but still heavy focus on the South, even if it ends in Male.
The good thing is that you can fly direct internationally to Gan on the way in, no need to stop at Male.

 

[Lu Y]

The LOB I took for he 2 weeks trip only caters to French-speaking crowd. So I guess it would be out of the equation. (if not, let me know and i will give you all info)
I just checked on liveaboard.com and it looks like no other LOBs do a two-weeks trip that focus only on the South (Gan-Gan). You thus have two options:
1. You can take a two weeks LOB trip that starts in Gan, and then finishes in Male (which is nice as you see many different atolls and thus varied UW environment; the con is that it involves quite some cruising, but in 14 days, it's manageable). Carpe Diem does that, Carpe Novo too, Ocean one, Emperor Virgo, Spirit of Maldives, Horizon 3.
2. Another option is to do two Scubaspa Yang in a row, from March 7 (Gan-Koodoo) to March 21 (Koodoo Male). It's still two weeks, but still heavy focus on the South, even if it ends in Male.
The good thing is that you can fly direct internationally to Gan on the way in, no need to stop at Male.

The LOB I took for he 2 weeks trip only caters to French-speaking crowd. So I guess it would be out of the equation. (if not, let me know and i will give you all info)
I just checked on liveaboard.com and it looks like no other LOBs do a two-weeks trip that focus only on the South (Gan-Gan). You thus have two options:
1. You can take a two weeks LOB trip that starts in Gan, and then finishes in Male (which is nice as you see many different atolls and thus varied UW environment; the con is that it involves quite some cruising, but in 14 days, it's manageable). Carpe Diem does that, Carpe Novo too, Ocean one, Emperor Virgo, Spirit of Maldives, Horizon 3.
2. Another option is to do two Scubaspa Yang in a row, from March 7 (Gan-Koodoo) to March 21 (Koodoo Male). It's still two weeks, but still heavy focus on the South, even if it ends in Male.
The good thing is that you can fly direct internationally to Gan on the way in, no need to stop at Male.

Franch speaking crowd is completely fine, my husband is French and I'm also fluent in French (actually have the French citizenship now).

It would be much appreciated if you could share the info on this special LOB

Merci beaucoup!
Lu

 

[Jay_Remi]

Franch speaking crowd is completely fine, my husband is French and I'm also fluent in French (actually have the French citizenship now).

It would be much appreciated if you could share the info on this special LOB

Merci beaucoup!
Lu

So the liveaboard I was referring to is managed by OK Maldives, owned and run by a French couple: Aurore and Franz.
Here is the website: Ok Maldives, plongées et croisières aux Maldives | plongee-okmaldives.com

You will find their 2025-2026 schedule here: https://okmaldives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Planning-OK-Maldives-2024-2025-2026-1.pdf

Unfortunately, their GAN-GAN trip for March 2026 is full, but there are six spots available in February for their INTEGRALE SUD. (February 8-21). This is this trip I did. It was awesome, not much cruising, lots of time UW.
Bear in mind they cater for quite experienced divers, so you will not have private guide. Divers are quite autonomous on such trips.
I can see you have not lots of dives under your belt. Be aware that channel dives can be quite demanding at times as currents can be strong.
Food is ok on the boat, but nothing special really. (disappointing for a French run operation I know). Aperitifs (every night!) are epic though.

Let me know if you need more info.

 

[Lu Y]

So the liveaboard I was referring to is managed by OK Maldives, owned and run by a French couple: Aurore and Franz.
Here is the website: Ok Maldives, plongées et croisières aux Maldives | plongee-okmaldives.com

You will find their 2025-2026 schedule here: https://okmaldives.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Planning-OK-Maldives-2024-2025-2026-1.pdf

Unfortunately, their GAN-GAN trip for March 2026 is full, but there are six spots available in February for their INTEGRALE SUD. (February 8-21). This is this trip I did. It was awesome, not much cruising, lots of time UW.
Bear in mind they cater for quite experienced divers, so you will not have private guide. Divers are quite autonomous on such trips.
I can see you have not lots of dives under your belt. Be aware that channel dives can be quite demanding at times as currents can be strong.
Food is ok on the boat, but nothing special really. (disappointing for a French run operation I know). Aperitifs (every night!) are epic though.

Let me know if you need more info.

Hi Jay_Remi,

Thanks a lot for the info! The Feb dates can work for us. I'll email them to ask if it's possible to add a private guide at extra cost. To your point, we don't have many dives under our belt, and have a relatively big camera with strobes, so I'd feel more comfortable if we can have a private guide. If this is not possible, I might do a Deep South 7n LOB followed by 1 week at Park Hyatt as they seem to be quite close to the Eastern dive sites.

Have a nice week ahead.
Lu

 

[Lu Y]

Hi Jay_Remi,

Thanks a lot for the info! The Feb dates can work for us. I'll email them to ask if it's possible to add a private guide at extra cost. To your point, we don't have many dives under our belt, and have a relatively big camera with strobes, so I'd feel more comfortable if we can have a private guide. If this is not possible, I might do a Deep South 7n LOB followed by 1 week at Park Hyatt as they seem to be quite close to the Eastern dive sites.

Have a nice week ahead.
Lu

Hi Jay_Remi,

As an update, I emailed OK Maldives, the itinerary and date work well, however unfortunately they cannot provide a private guide, so we will have to skip this one as we are not very experienced and always had a much better experience with a private guide vs. being in a group. Thanks again for the recommendation!