Maldives in October

[PDiver]

Hi everyone,
I'm thinking about a trip to Maldives with my family and am looking for some recommendations.

First of all, I have no idea if there's a region/atoll that is better during that period (second half of October)?

I then have some preferences so that the whole family is happy:
- a resort with a good house reef, so that I can easily go snorkeling with my son
- good dive spots nearby so I can fit my dives within half days (I'm the only diver in the family so need to split my time)
- other activities on the island so my husband is also entertained, ideally tennis

Anyone knows of a spot that could tick the boxes?
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Pearlman]

How much can you delay making the advance bookings? I would wait and watch how the monsoon season progresses in the region from June onwards. You may see a few dry days or weeks now and then and then it may rain the entire week following, with boats not venturing out and no sunshine to enjoy outdoors activities as well …

 

[boqurant]

Thats a fair time for the "central" atolls. South will be out of season (a bit rough) and north probably not much different to central. Anywhere in Ari Atoll will likely fit the bill nicely

 

[PDiver]

Thats a fair time for the "central" atolls. South will be out of season (a bit rough) and north probably not much different to central. Anywhere in Ari Atoll will likely fit the bill nicely

Thanks! Any recommendation for a specific resort with a good house reef?

 

[boqurant]

I jotted a few thoughts here on a similar thread, although I have a bias toward local islands rather than resorts. Maybe still helpful though? Land based Maldives recommendations?

 

[wgw04024]

I'm not sure of the seasons there, but I did it end of january this year, beginning of high season maybe? Liveaboard, 10 days. After that experience, I wouldn't bother going back during any sort of 'off peak' times as the peak time experience was SO GOOD! Also for context, it's a 16 hour flight time so not a quick trip.

 

[tinaCZ]

Hi everyone,
I'm thinking about a trip to Maldives with my family and am looking for some recommendations.

First of all, I have no idea if there's a region/atoll that is better during that period (second half of October)?

I then have some preferences so that the whole family is happy:
- a resort with a good house reef, so that I can easily go snorkeling with my son
- good dive spots nearby so I can fit my dives within half days (I'm the only diver in the family so need to split my time)
- other activities on the island so my husband is also entertained, ideally tennis

Anyone knows of a spot that could tick the boxes?
Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi,

We were diving in Noonu Atoll in early October and also in 2nd half of November and it was always amazing. It rained a few times in October but it was not really an issue, maybe sometimes the boat would change the time a little to work around the rain/wind. The later in the year, the better the weather should be.

We were in Velaa Private Island, Noonu Atoll . It has a covered tennis court (with a ceiling and a fan, but no walls), so you can play rain or sunshine, which is really useful, you can play midday without being too hot or when it rains... They have all other sports too.. paddle tenis, squash, beach volleyball, golf, huge variety of watersports so I think your husband will be pleased (not sure about his bank account though, not sure what you are looking for..)

I absolutely loved the diving there, there were eagle rays, sting rays, plenty of various colorful fish and crusteans, octopus, sharks, baracudas, mureys, lionfish, etc., shipwreck, at some spots turtles, but I have not been anywhere else in the Maldives so I can't compare. The locals said that in terms of Maldives there are better diving locations. To see mantas we have to take a boat trip to another atoll (a longer trip), but I think the season was in October! I also found the house reef fine for snorkelling - plenty of colourful fish, we also saw some white/black tip sharks and sting rays when snorkeling, an octopus and a few turtles (that was very lucky I guess), but again they said there are resorts with better house reefs.
We were there with our kids too, so we usually did 2 dives starting early around 7ish, and would be back by lunchtime after two dives..

 

[billt4sf]

Hi,

We were diving in Noonu Atoll in early October and also in 2nd half of November and it was always amazing. It rained a few times in October but it was not really an issue, maybe sometimes the boat would change the time a little to work around the rain/wind. The later in the year, the better the weather should be.

We were in Velaa Private Island, Noonu Atoll . It has a covered tennis court (with a ceiling and a fan, but no walls), so you can play rain or sunshine, which is really useful, you can play midday without being too hot or when it rains... They have all other sports too.. paddle tenis, squash, beach volleyball, golf, huge variety of watersports so I think your husband will be pleased (not sure about his bank account though, not sure what you are looking for..)

I absolutely loved the diving there, there were eagle rays, sting rays, plenty of various colorful fish and crusteans, octopus, sharks, baracudas, mureys, lionfish, etc., shipwreck, at some spots turtles, but I have not been anywhere else in the Maldives so I can't compare. The locals said that in terms of Maldives there are better diving locations. To see mantas we have to take a boat trip to another atoll (a longer trip), but I think the season was in October! I also found the house reef fine for snorkelling - plenty of colourful fish, we also saw some white/black tip sharks and sting rays when snorkeling, an octopus and a few turtles (that was very lucky I guess), but again they said there are resorts with better house reefs.
We were there with our kids too, so we usually did 2 dives starting early around 7ish, and would be back by lunchtime after two dives..

Would January be a good time for that?

Forget it it's MUCH too expensive for us! $4,000 per NIGHT?

 

[boqurant]

Would January be a good time for that?

Forget it it's MUCH too expensive for us! $4,000 per NIGHT?

Liveaboards and local islands are the way to do Maldives diving without breaking the bank