Maldives liveaboard questions

[demonic_death]

To everyone who had been to Maldives I have a few questions.

I did my research on liveaboards, and I noticed that they only offer 3 dives per day.
I even emailed some operators and they said 3 dives is the maximum. Why is this so?

Any suggestions as to liveaboards that offer unlimited diving? I usually do 6 dives a day for my liveaboards here in the Philippines.

Also, any suggestions to good liveaboards that offer unlimited dives?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[tvictory]

I've not been to the Maldives, but I'd suspect that liveaboards that only do 3 dives a day probably do mostly drift diving and don't want divers in the water in late afternoon or after dark. Either that or they also plan a schedule of other, non-diving activities such as shore trips, etc.

 

[MarkUK]

Also, a lot of the better dives – which is what the liveaboards tend to do – are long, deep drift dives, with most of the dive spent at depth, so three a day is quite enough with all the tissue loading.

Mark

 

[Doc]

These dive ops also cater to the European traveller, the "dive-dive-dive" North American visitor is a relative rarity.

(I don't know what y'all get in the Philippines, I've only done land based. If you get Japaneese guests, I know that they pretty much-so stay wet the whole week. I did a Japaneese liveaboard in the Maldives in the 90's and they opearted the dive deck like a WW2 landing craft...almost tipping it and dumping in 60 at a time, all with matching silver James Bondian wetsuits. Bizzaro)

Just two years ago I was on a liveaboard there and they were still quite perplexed by weight-integrated BC's (just really catching-on in Europe). We were the minority aboard for the first few days, the ship passengers were largely Northern European. They did one, maybe two- then were content with nude sunbathing or fishing for afternoon schedules.

Somehow the staff worked in what we wanted to a large extent, but it was tough for them. They had an easier life with the European guests, but they found out that we generally leave $20 & $50 bills behind as tips. They will slowly get the idea, no doubt.

After the Europeans departed the vessel, we dove a lot more, but all missed their 20 year old twin daughters.

 

[Damselfish]

anybody know if http://www.manthiri.com/ is still the correct website for the Manthiri or if something is going on with them? Right now it's giving "This account has been temporarily suspended due to non-payment."

 

[Damselfish]

http://www.divepoll.com/manthiri.html

 

[momowowo]

i went there in yr 2000.
4 or even 5 (+night dive) a day

the boat should be called Discovery

 

[Doc]

i went there in yr 2000.
4 or even 5 (+night dive) a day

the boat should be called Discovery

I was aboard a ship there in 1998 called the Discovery. She has since burned to the waterline asnd no longer in service as far as I know.

(edited to add):

DATELINE: 7 February 2003

DISCOVERY 1 LIVEABOARD CATCHES FIRE AND SINKS IN MALDIVES

Discovery One caught fire and sank in the night on 5th February in Guraidoo Lagoon, South Male Atoll. There are no reported casualties.
Passengers were evacuated by support dhonis from other vessels as the flames took hold.
Crew from another liveaboard vessel, the Sea Spirit, anchored nearby to help in the attempt to put out the flames. Unfortunately Discovery 1 was totally destroyed and sank. At present noone knows the cause of the fire.
Passengers booked on Discovery One by Maldives Scuba Tours and Kuoni have been contacted and offered the choice of relocating to another vessel.

 

[greenflash1]

I was there in May 2006 Last month. There are lots of livaboards there. The three dives a day is for Europeans, They like to take life easy. The Baani Exploer is a nice Boat but a little warm for Americans. But the diving was Great! Saw my first Wale Shark!!!

 

[divo]

Just got back from the Maldives a week ago. Was on the Manthiri and the diving was world class. White tips, Black tips, Grey Reef, schooling Hamerheads at sunrise at Rasdhoo Madivaru, Stingrays, Eagle Rays (8 at a time swimming in formation!), huge Manta's, Hawksbill and Green turtles, the biggest Morray's I've ever encountered and in abundance, octopus including two mating, Great Barracuda, Napolean Wrasse and a Whale Shark face on at 35' off Dhigurah outer reef in S. Ari. There was an incredible amount and variety of fish, way too many to mention here. We went in the off season (weather was overcast all but the last two days) but the diving was superb. The staff of the Manthiri were awesome as well. I know this sounds too good, but it truly was that good. If you get a chance to dive the Maldives, do it.. you won't be disappointed.