Maldives Liveaboards - First Time

[2canadians]

Hi Everyone. We are considering a trip to the Maldives to do a liveaboard trip for the first time. I have scoured the internet, but there are so many boats out there and so many web sites. I have no idea how to determine which ones are safe and recommended. Any suggestions on how to find this out? Every time I try to google anything like this I just get websites advertising all the boats.

Do my fellow divers have any recomendations on which boats are best? We are looking for smaller groups of divers (under 20), no kids, nothing too fancy or luxurios (we are laid back types) and a non party boat. We have advanced open water certification and have logged 50 dives but we usually only do 5 or 6 dives once a year when we travel so I would not say we are very experienced divers.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[capt539]

I would suggest you take a look at the Aggressor Fleet, The Dancer Fleet and the World-Wide Dive and sail vessel the Maldives Siren. ( I would have posted links but the web site won't let me yet). If you google these operations, you will find their sites.

All are nice vessels and have good reputations throughout the industry. I would also suggest a 9-10 day trip if you are traveling from North america. The Maldives is a long way to go and to only do 7 nights/5 1/2 days of diving, you will feel the trip was rushed.

If you are flexible on your travel schedule, you may even be able to get on a trip with a discounted price.

Feel free to ask me more on this destination.

Capt. Casey

 

[2canadians]

Thank you, we will definitley look into those ones. And I think 9 or 10 days is a great idea. Maybe with a few days at a resort afterwards.

 

[Seapiglet]

Hey, take a look at Sea Queen and Sea spirit. They are run by British guys and i have been with them twice! They know their stuff and have dived there for over 20 years. The Dive Guides are fantastic... really enthusiastic and make sure you see everything! They are smaller boats and are really relaxed - great food too!!!!

 

[Fionab]

I have also been with Maldives Scuba Tours on their boat Sea Spirit. They do know their stuff and lovely food.

While I haven't used their Maldives boat Orion but I have used Blue O2 in the Redsea - who are also a British company.