Maldives in August, can't decide!

[michshlomo]

Hi guys,
I know there is tons of info online but I'll be happy to hear your experience before I book my flight ticket. Husband and I are going to India in August and are looking to combine a diving vacation. We want to dive somewhere for 1 week. Hoping the diving destination has cheap flights to India, we came up with Maldives. We dove in the Philippines a few times in the past.
So Maldives in August- where do you think are the best shore dives? We won't be doing LOB, do you think Maldives has good shore dives? We like corals and big fish. Everything really...
How far will this destination be from the international airport and how much will it cost to get there from the airport?
Do you have a recommendation for a dive resort? Doesn't have to be fancy but should have very good dive operation and good food is something we like too
We are not tight on budget but if it's all too expensive we might decide to go to the Philippines instead.

 

[travelem]

Maldives has excellent shore dives, a lot better than Philippines.
From the airport, you need to take speedboat or seaplane to the resort.

Roundtrip speedboat costs USD$100 to $300 per person.
Roundtrip seaplane or domestic plane costs USD$300 to 500 per person.

You may take a look at Bandos Resort.
It is about 10 minutes speedboat ride from the airport, roundtrip speedboat costs USD$94 per person.
It also has good dive team and shore dive.

HOMEPAGE - Top Maldives Destination Bandos Maldives

 

[travelem]

If Bandos is over your budget, you may consider a local island for scuba diving:
Maldives, Guest Houses and Local Islands

Local island is a lot cheaper but there is no alochol or pork on the island.

Local islands costs:
Hotels USD$40 - 120
Fun dive USD$ 40 - 60 per dive
Meals USD$8 - 10

 

[eternaljonah]

India has some great Dive Sites, Goa will be closed in August, But the andamans and Pondicherry are open for diving

 

[CWK]

You may find that LOBs are cheaper than resort diving - especially after you factor in ++. Staying on a local island is an option for budget conscious divers.

 

[travelem]

Embudu is also a nice budget resort.

Home

BOAT TRANSFER $ 65 PER PERSON PER RETURN

 

[michshlomo]

Thanks guys, after reading your posts I know that I can afford a budget resort at a local island. Where will I find the best dives in August? Will the dive boats be going in August? I read about liberty guest house, seems great, the question is wether Mahibadhoo is a good place to base myself?

 

[travelem]

Besides Mahibadhoo, there are other good local islands to consider:
Maafushi, Rasdhoo, Fulidhoo, Dharavandhoo, Dhigurah, etc.

If you want to see groups of manta in August, Dharavandhoo is the place.

(Hanifaru Bay is for snorkeling only)


Fulidhoo also has good diving.

 

[travelem]

I had visited three local islands (Maafushi, Rasdhoo and Dhangethi) and did some diving there.
You may see my photos.

2017 Maafushi:
Just dived & stayed in Maafushi again

2015 Maafushi:
Just dived & stayed in Maafushi local island

Rasdhoo:
Diving Around Local Island Rasdhoo Photos

Dhangethi:
Diving around local island Dhangethi photos (with whaleshark & manta)