Liveaboard route for Maldives in April — June

[GDMP]

Hi All,

I'm thinking of heading to the Maldives for a liveaboard this year for the first time and would love any recommendations from experienced divers who know the range of Maldives sites well.

It's last minute, but I'd be looking for something April, May, or June. Ideally a liveaboard that visits some of the best sites, regardless of whether they're challenging (I'm very used to diving in strong currents). I'm not fussed about luxury — just care about great diving with competent divers who are nice people and are passionate about diving. Also not really fussed about night dives — night dives have always just felt too disruptive to me. I'm most interested in pelagics but also love a nice reef, big schools of fish (I mean, schooling sharks or rays would be cool), and dramatic topography. Something leaving from Male would be ideal, just for logistical ease.

Thanks in advance!

 

[boqurant]

That time of year you're most likely looking at the central atolls, often called the "classic" route, and most (all?) of the big operators take a similar route covering the North & South Male / Felidhe / Ari / Rasdhu Atolls, maybe a couple of others thrown in too.

Hard to go wrong on your choices, though I'm a fan of Liveaboard - Nº1 in scuba diving trips - Blue Force Fleet, having been on all their boats now

 

[GDMP]

Thanks, @boqurant! Very helpful. I noticed most do the "classic" route, and it seems a good starting option. I'll check out the link.

I get lots of IG posts in my feed about Fuvahmulah in the south. For shark diving, is it the best spot, and is it a good time of year to go? I know there are lots of tigers there. I've heard it's a bit like Kimud Shoal (a site I love) in Malapascua, but for different sharks...

 

[boqurant]

I'm actually just back from a liveaboard on the "Deep South" route (Gaafu Atoll -> Fuvahmulah -> Addu Atoll), and have also done a "Central" route not long ago. The best diving for me in the South route was along the eastern islands in Gaafu (e.g. Viligili, Nilandhoo) - massive deep channels with big currents and tonnes of sharks. Glorious stuff.

I dont think you'll easily find a liveaboard on the deep south route much after March, because of the seasonal changes: IIRC the winds change and seas get rougher, and the food system changes and the big pelagics move away (towards the central atolls I think - though I'm far from an expert in this stuff). I assume you can do land-based diving around there of course, and I'm sure it's still pretty good. I'd suggest the central route is your best place to start though.

I have to say I found Fuvahmulah a bit hit & miss, although what do I know, we only did 3 dives there (sail in/out on the same day because it's an exposed island with no sheltered mooring). First dive was at Thoondu (north end) with nothing particuarly memorable (some nice corals and reef fish of course), and the third dive on the South Plateau was a literal washout since the boat missed our drop-point in massive currents and we spent 30 mins just paddling around out in the (huge!) blue. I'd say you could get lucky and see pelagics, but it's far from guaranteed. Second dive was at the Tiger Zoo, and while I'm glad I did it, I'm in no hurry to repeat it. It just seemed unecessarily dangerous and probably forms unfortunate habits in the sharks themselves (too acclimated to human divers). I'm sure you can find trip reports on here.

 

[GDMP]

@boqurant, thanks, this is so helpful! Very interesting about your experience in the south (and based on what I've seen, I'm not surprised you said that about Fuvahmulah). The channels sound awesome.

Think I'll default to the classic route if I get out there this year.

Much appreciated

 

[boqurant]

Sounds good, enjoy the diving! I think there's a few trip reports from people going on the central routes - lots of research for you to enjoy FWIW I took a route with Blue Force One that went to several of the sites mentioned in this blog, and some were spectacular Ultimate Maldives Liveaboard Trip: Diving Central Atolls with Carpe Novo