5 days dive in Maldives on budget

[Bubble99]

I have not yet been to Maldives but was looking into this and was recommended to go to local islands, not tourist islands, for example Thoddoo they have dive and stay packages for 5 day/750 USD B&B

DIVE & STAY – Thoddoo Diving Center

or Dhangethi in Sout Sri Atoll with whalesharks

South Ari Dive Center location in Dhangethi Island of Maldives

We aim to be the best dive center in Maldives! At South Ari Dive Center you will enjoy a fantastic and unique diving experience. Contact us Now.

www.southaridivecenter.com

Dharavandhoo or Fulhadhoo further north with a mariine reserve with lots of manta

 

[zbasbas]

Thank you guys for your input

 

[Volleyball]

Thank you guys for your input

If you want to YOLO, are you willing to spend $400/person USD on a roundtrip flight to see guaranteed Tiger Sharks and one of the best experiences with giant manta rays? In short, you'll fly from MLE (Male) to GAN (Addu City), dive with the Mantas, take the cheap 45-minute ferry over to Fuvahmulah, dive with the tigers, and fly back to MLE

Addu City is the southernmost Maldives island and is one of two atolls south of the equator. Two minor bonuses, on the flight to Addu, you'll receive an equator crossing certificate and can visit the southernmost point. Addu City is probably the most not just an underrated place but an unknown place for divers. There is a Manta cleaning station yet the guides can call them over like dogs and they'll go 1 meter over your head and also a WW2 wreck.

Stay however many nights you want, you can stay one night. On the day you want to leave, dive in the morning dive (their manta tends to disappear in the afternoon) then take the cheap afternoon 45-minute ferry from Addu City to Fuvahmulah. In Fuvahmulah, you can dive with the Tiger Sharks (AOW is NOT required) which is practically guaranteed, and possibly see hammerheads although you'd need AOW as it's a deep dive. Fly back to Male from Fuvahmulah.

If you're unwilling to spend $$$ on flights, I wouldn't bother with South Ari, the whale shark peak season ends in November and there aren't any whale shark dives (someone correct me if I'm wrong that there are now whale shark scuba dives in the Maldives). You can snorkel with them but there'll be 25+ snorkelers kicking you and trying to touch the whale shark. North Male Atoll is closer/better as it has the famous aquarium site. Or as someone else said, stay on the same island as the airport in Hulumalé. There is a shark tank dive site there that can have bulls and tigers and you'll see tons of (non-manta) rays

If you stay in Hulumale, there's a $80ish USD snorkel tour from Maafushi requiring a cheap roundtrip ferry from Hulumale you might like if you're a couple. Shallow shipwreck, nearly guaranteed to see dolphins and turtles and 100+ nurse sharks, and for extra $$$, they'll fly up a drone to take some pix. You're welcome to ask me any questions

Southern most point

Shipwreck, dolphin, turtle and shark snorkel

 

[Volleyball]

I'm making my IG public for a few days for the Maledives footage:

Addu City Mantas: Fuvahmulah Tigers: Aquarium dive site in North Male:

 

[zbasbas]

If you want to YOLO, are you willing to spend $400/person USD on a roundtrip flight to see guaranteed Tiger Sharks and one of the best experiences with giant manta rays? In short, you'll fly from MLE (Male) to GAN (Addu City), dive with the Mantas, take the cheap 45-minute ferry over to Fuvahmulah, dive with the tigers, and fly back to MLE

Addu City is the southernmost Maldives island and is one of two atolls south of the equator. Two minor bonuses, on the flight to Addu, you'll receive an equator crossing certificate and can visit the southernmost point. Addu City is probably the most not just an underrated place but an unknown place for divers. There is a Manta cleaning station yet the guides can call them over like dogs and they'll go 1 meter over your head and also a WW2 wreck.

Stay however many nights you want, you can stay one night. On the day you want to leave, dive in the morning dive (their manta tends to disappear in the afternoon) then take the cheap afternoon 45-minute ferry from Addu City to Fuvahmulah. In Fuvahmulah, you can dive with the Tiger Sharks (AOW is NOT required) which is practically guaranteed, and possibly see hammerheads although you'd need AOW as it's a deep dive. Fly back to Male from Fuvahmulah.

If you're unwilling to spend $$$ on flights, I wouldn't bother with South Ari, the whale shark peak season ends in November and there aren't any whale shark dives (someone correct me if I'm wrong that there are now whale shark scuba dives in the Maldives). You can snorkel with them but there'll be 25+ snorkelers kicking you and trying to touch the whale shark. North Male Atoll is closer/better as it has the famous aquarium site. Or as someone else said, stay on the same island as the airport in Hulumalé. There is a shark tank dive site there that can have bulls and tigers and you'll see tons of (non-manta) rays

If you stay in Hulumale, there's a $80ish USD snorkel tour from Maafushi requiring a cheap roundtrip ferry from Hulumale you might like if you're a couple. Shallow shipwreck, nearly guaranteed to see dolphins and turtles and 100+ nurse sharks, and for extra $$$, they'll fly up a drone to take some pix. You're welcome to ask me any questions

Southern most point
View attachment 872923

Shipwreck, dolphin, turtle and shark snorkel
View attachment 872924

Thank you for your message.

So based on my search, I have decided to be in Dhangeth for 5 night (most likely) for both the price and sealife most possible to see (Whale sharks, big rays) and I will do AOW certification. Unfortunatelly, hammerhead seems not to be common in that area.

I was trying to get to Fuvahmulah from Dhangeth but It seems to be difficult and time consuming according to what I was told (if any has experience, please share). My point was to increase my chances to see what is most common in Dhangeth and what is most common to see in Fuvahmulah (hammerhead sharks).

Second in my list was Rasdhoo but I understood it is not as good as Dhangeth for big manta and whale sharks (please correct me if i am mistaken).

I am even wondering if I should stay in Dhangeth on day 5th, 6th and 7th and 8th .. then on 8th evening (or last possible departure) travel to Hulumale so I can go diving on 9th for dolphins and turtles and nice coral.

In my mind, I'd love to dive with hammerhead or Dolphins as I have not done it before.

Is there a good site for checking flights and boats schedule in Maldives?

 

[Volleyball]

Thank you for your message.

So based on my search, I have decided to be in Dhangeth for 5 night (most likely) for both the price and sealife most possible to see (Whale sharks, big rays) and I will do AOW certification. Unfortunatelly, hammerhead seems not to be common in that area.

I was trying to get to Fuvahmulah from Dhangeth but It seems to be difficult and time consuming according to what I was told (if any has experience, please share). My point was to increase my chances to see what is most common in Dhangeth and what is most common to see in Fuvahmulah (hammerhead sharks).

Second in my list was Rasdhoo but I understood it is not as good as Dhangeth for big manta and whale sharks (please correct me if i am mistaken).

I am even wondering if I should stay in Dhangeth on day 5th, 6th and 7th and 8th .. then on 8th evening (or last possible departure) travel to Hulumale so I can go diving on 9th for dolphins and turtles and nice coral.

In my mind, I'd love to dive with hammerhead or Dolphins as I have not done it before.

Is there a good site for checking flights and boats schedule in Maldives?

South Ari/Dhangeth...You should email any Dhangeth dive shop and ask about the probability of diving with whale sharks as I think it will be slim. I haven't been to Dhangeth or Rasdhoo, but have heard great things about Rashoo. Also, keep in mind when we booked a speed boat to go from Male to South Ari (Omadhoo), it was too rough to go out for two days in a row so just have a backup plan in the off-chance something happens...That's when we said F it and flew south. I also am not really sure about South Ari to Fuvahmulah, either fly which might not be direct, or take multiple ferries. I'll add the GAN airport is far busier than FVM and is only a 45-minute ferry away so could open more possibilities

Rasdhoo...Haven't been but I have heard it's amazing for mantas

Ferries... Customer portal
Flights... Maldivian flights – Book a flight, browse our flight offers and explore the Maldivian Experience as not all their flights appear on Google flights for some reason. Yet I would double-check Google Flights for the hell of it as some airlines like Sri Lanka can depart from Male, and stop on another island before heading to Sri Lanka

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

@Volleyball Did you miss including the links?
Anyway...

Dangethi is close to the SAMPA where Whale sharks can be seen all year round.
If Dangehti is set and if you already have selected a guesthouse, get in touch with them and ask what options they can arrange to your next dstination. These guys usually have better information and are better connected than you will ever be from afar. It is likely that you will have to return to Male, before continuing your journey. So it may well be that it will be more economic (time and money) to stay the full time there.
If guesthouse is not set, contact the ones on the top of your list and ask. It's also a good test for their responsiveness.
If you fancy to figure out your journey on your own:

• 

  Atoll Transfer | Maldives airport transfer | Malé, Maldives

  Maldives Transfer ferry, Maldives Speed boat, Maldives Transfer, Seaplane, Yacht charter, No one knows Maldives better than Atoll Transfer. How to book Maldives Transfer to Airport on a better price for resorts and hotels around Maldives islands.

  www.atolltransfer.com

• Wild Maldives — Ferry and speed boat transfer schedule

  Routes and schedules of ferries and speed boats in Maldives

  wildmaldives.com
• 

  Maldives Public Ferries - A Complete Guide - The Restless Beans

  Are you planning a budget trip to the Maldives? If so, then you'll have to figure out the Maldives public ferries! Check out our guide here.

  therestlessbeans.com

• Villa Air

  Villa Air Website

  villaair.aero

• Maldivian flights – Book a flight, browse our flight offers and explore the Maldivian Experience

  Maldivian flights – Book a flight, browse our flight offers and explore the Maldivian Experience

  maldivian.aero

But keep in mind that by relying on your own research (and bookings) you may not be made aware of any changes or cancellations.

 

[zbasbas]

Thank you for the comments, links and advise. I guess I started to understnad the Maldives better.

So with 5 nights, I believed, even thaough, ideally doing 2 islands to increase my chances of seeing my top sea life (whales, Big types of rays, dolphins and hammerhead sharks), I guess it is only doable if I choose 3 nights in one island (most likely Dangethi) where I also do my AWO and target whales and rays... then probably head to Male - Hulhumalé so I do a day dive there for hammerhead sharls and dolphins.

I guess the biggest challenge is the short period and lack of boat connections..
Most of the diving sites I contacted, were obviously promoting their packages and insisting on staying the 5 nights in one place (oh well, understandable).

I am hoping the beaches are nice in these 2 places so I can also enjoy the sandy beaches (don't think there is a near reef / house reef there) or no algae by the shore.

 

[JustSurfaceInterval]

Yes, the Maldives are peculiar... or where would you take a domestic flight for a distance of 100 km...
A few more comments, if i may:
- 5 nights = 3 days diving max, if you move to another island. Day 1 Arrival, day 2 diving, day 3 diving, day 4 moving, day 5 diving, day 6 leaving - assuming you do not have any No Fly Time due to your dive profiles,
- squizzing an AOWD course in this is hardly possible. I would suggest to do that before. I know... Finland...
- i would stay on one island and make the most of it. Esp. considaring that going to one specific spot to see some specific sealife is a hit and miss. what if hammerheads and dolphins does not fancy showing up? you would have lost precious time... Adverse weather conditions even not mentioned.
You may as well see dolphins around Dangheti or other creatures you will remember for ever.

 

[zbasbas]

Yes, the Maldives are peculiar... or where would you take a domestic flight for a distance of 100 km...
A few more comments, if i may:
- 5 nights = 3 days diving max, if you move to another island. Day 1 Arrival, day 2 diving, day 3 diving, day 4 moving, day 5 diving, day 6 leaving - assuming you do not have any No Fly Time due to your dive profiles,
- squizzing an AOWD course in this is hardly possible. I would suggest to do that before. I know... Finland...
- i would stay on one island and make the most of it. Esp. considaring that going to one specific spot to see some specific sealife is a hit and miss. what if hammerheads and dolphins does not fancy showing up? you would have lost precious time... Adverse weather conditions even not mentioned.
You may as well see dolphins around Dangheti or other creatures you will remember for ever.

Very valid point.. Thanks for bringing it up.. I was thinking if I take from Dhangheti to Hulhumalé the early morning boat, I can still dive in Hulhumalé after I arrive.. but then again this is risky taking in consideration not sure about the weather nor delayed ferries..

And agree diving in Finland now would make me dive under ice unless I do it in a pool