Maldives Liveaboard Question

[ABLAB]

Looking into scheduling my first liveaboard with Maldives as the destination in Jan-Feb. Would like to maximize my opportunity to see hammers and as many shark species and giant mantas as possible. It seems mantas are pretty prevalent and most liveaboards hit up the manta (and whale shark) sites. Not quite sure if I'm ready for the southern Atolls and seems central atolls are best suited to my abilities. (AOW, 50 dives, nitrox, limited current diving experience).

Princess Sara fits into my budget and has a central atolls trip but the requirements are only 5+ dives. So, a bit concerned that these are very beginner shallow dives that will not give me what I want. However, I was told directly by Princess Sara "the central atolls trip is suitable for all the divers, beginners, and experienced divers. The maximum depth is 30 meters, and you will have the chance to spot sharks. Great Hammerhead and Tiger shark can be spotted in a particular spot nearby Malè".

The trip consists of South Male, Felidhu (I think its also known as Felidhoo), Mulaku ( I think its also known as Meemu), Thaa, and Laamu atolls. Wandering if anyone has dove these locations and what their experience was seeing mantas, pelagics, and sharks (specifically hammers) at these sites.


Thanks much.

 

[rongoodman]

You can see these same species with a lot less travel time at Socorros or Cocos islands. Just a thought.

 

[ABLAB]

True but I don't think I have the skillset to dive those yet based on people of talked to and what I've read. Need to improve air consumption especially at depth and gain more experience in currents. Also, significantly more expensive when it's all said and done. But, yeah, would love to dive Socorro and Cocos.

 

[runsongas]

@rongoodman not if you count the boat ride out to socorro as part of the travel

 

[rongoodman]

It’s a lot more pleasant than being on a plane or sitting in a terminal.

 

[Centrals]

It’s a lot more pleasant than being on a plane or sitting in a terminal.

I would rather be in a airport terminal than the 72 hrs round trip to Cocos. Would I do it again? Not a chance even if it is FREE.
However, the chance to see various species of shark is far higher in Cocos than Maldives. BTW, did not see a single manta in my only trip to Cocos. School of hammerhead? Unforgettable.

 

[rongoodman]

The mantas are why I mentioned Socorros. I think I saw one at Cano when Agressor was going there, but only eagle rays at Cocos.

 

[CWK]

I don’t think you will find giant mantas in the central atolls, only reef mantas. For giant mantas in the Maldives, your best bet would be in Fuvahmulah down south.

Currents in the Maldives can be extremely strong. If the stars align you may be able to enjoy a washing machine bonus, which is enormous fun. Good luck!

 

[Porcupinefish_26]

I think the chance of seeing hammerheads in central atolls are not very high. I did the central atolls trip around Christmas in 2023 and saw mostly spinner sharks, reef sharks, nurse sharks and one tiger shark in Hulhumale wall (there are some feeding going on by the nearby canning factory hence more sharks). There are videos of lone hammerheads seen at the same site, but I guess not everyone sees them.

Deep south is where to go if you want to see (non-reef) sharks and oceanic mantas.

 

[Blackcrusader]

The maximum depth is 30 meters, and you will have the chance to spot sharks. Great Hammerhead and Tiger shark can be spotted in a particular spot nearby Malè".

That spot is called the Shark Tank. I did 6 dives there May 2025. We only saw Tigers briefly for a few seconds and a Great Hammerhead towards the end of one dive. Lots of spinners bulls and lemon sharks.
If you do the shark tank only once you might be dissapointed. I spoke with a dive who did the one dive and no sharks came at all. It can happen.

I also did 35 dives at Fuvahmulah and caught a glimpse of an oceanic manta on one dive. Also many of these dives are in strong currents at 30m - 40m or deeper depths. We did see hammerheads on some dives but its lucky by chance to see them and they are at deep depths there. Tiger Zoo and Tiger Wall are the spots to swim side by side with these lovelly critters. Do watch your six as Tigers like to sneak up behind you lol