Liveaboards - Maldives

[DontLieToMe]

I am looking for boats for diving in September/October. I was considering the Manthiri and the Sea Queen. Any current experience or thoughts?

 

[smokey braden]

dear dontlietome,
last oct i went to the maldives.
stayed on the sultan of madivaru.
http://www.sultansoftheseas.it/en/infoSMadivaru.php
check her out.
she takes guest to the hoovadoo atoll far to the south where development has not started........yet.
she can take a max of 12 guest with 9 crew.
the vessel is clean and in good shape.
the dining is very good.
the crew was wonderful.
the diving is some of the best you will ever see.
please let me know if y'all have any questions.
best regards,
smokey

 

[DontLieToMe]

Smokey,

Thank you. How was the weather in October? Who/how did your arrange your trip on the Sultan of the Seas?

DL2M

 

[smokey braden]

dontlietome,
the weather last oct while there was very good.
i had to arrange the trip myself.
got the plane tickets from a local travel agent.
i live in virginia and found it to be less expensive to go west across the pac. instead of east across the atl.
i'll have to get back to you with the info for the vessel.
i wouldn't use the people i did.
i'll give you info on their office in male when i find their card at home.
smokey

 

[Sylvie]

Hi

I've gone diving twice in the Maldives in October and found it absolutely fine. The sky was not always deep blue and cloudless, but it was mostly sunny nevertheless. Since the Maldives are at the equator, the sun is always right above you and the corals get optimal direct light for underwater photography. Visibility was good when I was there and so were the diving conditions.
I already heard of the luxurious liveaboard that Smokey mentioned, and it’s comforting to hear that it’s as good as it looks. However, in the Maldives I prefer living on land. I like taking romantic strolls along the beach at night and feeling the sand between my toes. Plus I prefer to be on an island in case I something happens and I can't dive. My favourite option is making full day trips with multiple dives and returning to the resort for dinner, with the option of a night dive on the house reef. Note: you have to choose you resort island/ dive centre selectively if you want to unlimited diving. Many resorts require a boat trip to reach the house reef. Other resorts don’t make full day excursion, but return to the island for lunch.

Hope I didn't confuse this for you by giving you other ideas.

Sylvie
PS: Returning to the Maldives in five days.

 

[Sylvie]

Hi

I was just browsing and came across what looks like a gorgeous liveaboard. If money is no object, look up the Four Seasons Island Explorer. It is a 39 meters 11 cabin cruise boat with three decks, beautifully appointed interiors, one restaurant, two bars, a lounge. The regular rooms are 20m2 and have king sized beds on request, so they seem more like what you'd find in a hotel than in a boat. The suits are 45m2! I just looked up the internet prices and it a lot cheaper than the listed Kuoni catalogue price. I think the next time I return to the Maldives I’ll definitely consider going a week on an island and a week on a nice liveaboard. I think it in the end might be cheaper than diving two weeks from an island.

Cheers

Sylvie

 

[Damselfish]

I've come across the Four Seasons Explorer before and the trouble (price aside) is that if the website is accurate, they don't have much of a dive schedule. Their "typical day" lists only dives at 7am and 4pm, as if diving is an afterthought they don't really want to interrupt the day with. I'd want more than 2 a day, and those sure aren't the times I'd pick!

 

[Sylvie]

Hi Damselfish

I guess have to agree with you on that.

Sylvie