Maldives Liveaboard Question

[Blackcrusader]

I was at around 30m depth and the Great Hammerhead was on the sea bead around 35m depth at the Shark Tank. The guide had to rush the other divers to ascend as they were so busy waiting at depth they were out of NDL quickly on 21%

I did 6 dives at the Shark tank and got this on the last dive. There is no guarantee what sharks will turn up.
Saw a glimpse of Tigers on one dive at the shark tank for the other 5 dives they did not appear.

In Male there are plenty of good dive sights and the currents there were not that strong. Only on a wreck dive the the Dive Op I was with did not take many divers there as they would struggle.

 

[cetacean]

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.

I've been to Cocos twice... we have seen mantas there, but much more likely to see Mobula rays vs. mantas. Mobulas also tend to come check out the mini-sub on the Argo when it's at Cocos (currently on an extended research trip).

 

[cetacean]

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.

In two trips to Cocos I've had tough sea conditions only on one trip out there, and having taken the advice from another repeat visitor, after setting up your gear, eating a light meal - sleep for as much of the last 12 hours as possible on the transit.

The trip back is rarely (as in never) hard... trailing seas the whole way back to Puntarenas.

 

[rongoodman]

Well, there are certainly plenty of mantas at Socorro! The 6m whale shark who came by twice, practically close enough to touch, yesterday was a nice finale for the trip too!

 

[Jay_Remi]

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.

January and February are ideal months to dive in the Maldives, and taking the central route on a LOB for a first timer is a very good choice indeed.
Don't be concerned about the required minimum number of dives. More often than not, divers in the Maldives are quite experienced (this is not the Red Sea) and whatever the requirement, the LOB will bring you to the best dive sites, with 30 meters depth maximum.
But be aware that Maldives are not always easy dives. There can be medium-strong current. You need to be confident in free descending and neutral buoyancy.
The Hulhumale harbour is the best dive site in this route to see sharks. Spinners, tigers and bull sharks are pretty common. Hammerheads much less so. I have dived countless times in that very dive site and saw great hammerheads less than 5 times, and just in passing. Most LOB start and end their trip at this dive site. You start on a high and finish on a high.
During your trip, you are quite likely to see many other types of reef sharks, but no hammerheads (If Hammerheads is your thing, then Daedelus in the Red sea should be on your list, provided you go at the right season). There are several Manta cleaning stations in Ari atoll, and chances to see mantas are high. In South Ari atoll, you can also spot whale sharks.
This is a fantastic route and you will have a blast.

 

[cetacean]

Well, there are certainly plenty of mantas at Socorro! The 6m whale shark who came by twice, practically close enough to touch, yesterday was a nice finale for the trip too!

This is absolutely true, along with sharks.

However, Socorro does not have prolific corals, the multitude of colorful reef fish, nor the beautiful islands (topside) that the Maldives are famous for.

Both offer good diving - having done both (multiple times), Soccoro is a great dive trip, the Maldives is a great vacation (with excellent diving).

 

[ABLAB]

This is absolutely true, along with sharks.

However, Socorro does not have prolific corals, the multitude of colorful reef fish, nor the beautiful islands (topside) that the Maldives are famous for.

Both offer good diving - having done both (multiple times), Soccoro is a great dive trip, the Maldives is a great vacation (with excellent diving).

This is absolutely true, along with sharks.

However, Socorro does not have prolific corals, the multitude of colorful reef fish, nor the beautiful islands (topside) that the Maldives are famous for.

Both offer good diving - having done both (multiple times), Soccoro is a great dive trip, the Maldives is a great vacation (with excellent diving).

Thanks for the replies all. Very helpful and much appreciated.

 

[Anish]

Who told you Maldives doesn't have strong currents? My last trip in January I had the scariest experience ever on a dive where the currents suddenly turned against us and we were in a washing machine hanging on to the reef for dear life. Any big animal diving is going to require you to deal with currents. Im not saying 50 dives is or is not enough. I have 150 and have dived shotgun in Komodo and was still terrified!