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.