5 days dive in Maldives on budget

[zbasbas]

Hi,

I’m planning a trip in second week of January for 5 days and I’d like to do around 6 dives in Maldives on budget.

I’m hoping to get to know which islands are best suited for me (and what are your available packages if known).

I would love to dive with whales, BIG rays and hammerhead sharks at top priority and dolphins (if possible), then other sharks, turtles , other rays, octopus, eels, etc…

A nice corals would be great too .. so maybe I can divide the sites to accommodate corals and my prioritised marine life of some sites have better chances of seeing some species over the other sites.

Could you please provide me with information regarding these specifics.

I prefer a house reef for accommodation but it can be at its cheapest or by the beach as a second option.


I appreciate if you point me in right direction.

Thanks

 

[autrichon gris]

Maldives and budget in the same sentence, hum, no way.

Eventually try to stay in Hulumalé (the airport island) in a budget hotel on the Eastern coast, and see with the dive centers along the beach what they can offer.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

Well... What do you mean with budget? January is high season and an expensive period.
Does your statement about number of dives in your profile is correct? up to 24? If not already with an AOWD, that may be very tight.
Your list of things you want to see is indeed that waht everyone wants to see in the Maldives, but your budget will dictate the posibilities.
Look at local islands near Malé to reduce transfer costs, e.g. Guraidhoo (instead of Maafushi) with Dive Point and Manta Divers and what the offers are there. Let the Guesthouse organise the transfer.

 

[Tippytoes12]

We constantly hear about Scuba Club in Male, which offers dives to Shark Tank near the main harbor. Apparently they also visit mint cleaning stations. Many travellers backpack around local islands, Fulidhoo being a very popular one not too far from Male. But, if you really want adventure I cannot recommend Fuvamulah highly enough for tiger sharks, threshers, hammerheads and whale sharks quite often. There are local guesthouses or AirBnBs I am sure on the island. Alternatively the dive shops may be able to advise. We dived with Pelagic Divers, the owners and all the staff were a delight. You would have to fly but food on the local islands is very cheap and very nice.

 

[zbasbas]

Tippytoes12, JustSurfaceInterval​

By budget, I meant as cheap as "possible". It's Maldives after all. I checked your recommendations, thanks for sharing.
I did some search and I can find already several accommodations below 300€ scatter in general around Dhangethi, Maamigili, Vilamendhoo, Fulidhoo and Maafushi.. also some northern atol...

I was told south atoll is where I should focus as it has more chances for seeing the prioritised sealife, so your input is valuable if you have been there or if you would see other places that you loved... then I can check the islands and check if i can find affordable options there.

Maybe you can help me finding the right diving spots based on your diving sites.. and was it during December - February

Also wouldn't I be able to find 6 dives costs below or around 700€? of course it depends, but in general am I so optimistic about this price? could you please share some estimate prices for your dives.

I do have around 20 dives, but since my trip days are always short, I never had time to do advanced dive.. something I should consider.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

You may then also check out Dhigurah where you can encounter whale sharks all year around and Rashdooh for hammerheads.
100 € / dive should be fine, depending on the div shop and assuming you don't have to rent equipment. If you do, contact the dive shop and ask for price list.
With only 20 dives and only OWD, you will be limited regarding some dive spots, but whale sharks and mantas are often seen near the surface or in that range. Your dive shop will know and select the spots taking your skills into account.

 

[Parlem]

You may then also check out Dhigurah where you can encounter whale sharks all year around and Rashdooh for hammerheads.
100 € / dive should be fine, depending on the div shop and assuming you don't have to rent equipment. If you do, contact the dive shop and ask for price list.
With only 20 dives and only OWD, you will be limited regarding some dive spots, but whale sharks and mantas are often seen near the surface or in that range. Your dive shop will know and select the spots taking your skills into account.

Good advice there from JustSurface but, unless memory fails me, the hammerhead dive in Rashdoo atoll is Advanced open water only as you hang in the blue at depth. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

[...] the hammerhead dive in Rashdoo atoll is Advanced open water only as you hang in the blue at depth. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

Aarrggh... you are absolutely right. For us, it was also in the blue at 30 m, waiting...

 

[zbasbas]

Thanks guys, I guess I can explore AOW possibiltlies.. but just in case, are you aware of other hammerhead points in south atol or near by that I might be able to dive withuot the need for AOW ?

 

[Parlem]

Thanks guys, I guess I can explore AOW possibiltlies.. but just in case, are you aware of other hammerhead points in south atol or near by that I might be able to dive withuot the need for AOW ?

Not sure, to be honest. Hammerheads seem to like staying deep. That's certainly true for Egypt's marine parks and in the Maldives. I know they regularly spot hammerheads at Fuvahmulah, but something tells me they are typically quite deep, too. Also, I believe they are seasonal (not all year round).
As for the hammerhead dive at Rashdoo atoll, please note that there is no guarantee of any sightings. I've done it several times and I distinctly remember being utterly disappointed at least once.
Happy diving!