Rasdhoo or Dhigurah off season (June) – is it worth it?

[RealDiver81]

Helloo,

I'll be in the Maldives in mid-June and I'm thinking about trying Rashoo, mainly as I've heard and read so many things about Madhivaru Corner. (I've already been to Fulidhoo, Fuvahmula, Male South). However, I know it's not the right season. Visibility is not my only concern: if the current is "wrong" (which is often the case at some dive spots off season), diving is uncomparably less good, with hardly any fish and sharks around (I've experienced this in Male South in 1997 as well as Fuvahmula in 2019).

I am tempted to try the "good" places for that season, i.e. Baa or Ari South, for the mantas and whale sharks. But I'm really not that interested in snorkeling with either of those animals (and hordes of tourists) since I've already done it many times in the Philippines, Indonesia, etc. (The best whale sharks encounters have always been the impromptu one, while diving). I've heard goo things about diving in Dhigurah in general, but I'm not sure if that side of the Ari atoll is good in June or not.

So I'm thinking to skip both locations altogether and focus on North Male only (mainly Shark tank). Budget is a concern, otherwise I would just do it and not ask this (I have to be in the Maldives on those dates anyway). Any advices from folks who have been diving off-season in either of those two locations would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Pearlman]

Why not contact the local dive shops and ask them their opinion? Sometimes it rains quiet heavily from the first week of June and some years the rains are late. With the advent of la-Nina showers may even come early from late May onwards…. Since you will already be in Male, maybe best to plan only a few days in advance depending on the weather forecast…


PS - I’ve heard some vacation stories from Maldives were people took a chance holiday in rainy season tempted by discounts at resorts they could otherwise never afford and it rained heavily the entire time such that they could not even step out of their cottages the entire day…

 

[Parlem]

Why not contact the local dive shops and ask them their opinion? Sometimes it rains quiet heavily from the first week of June and some years the rains are late. With the advent of la-Nina showers may even come early from late May onwards…. Since you will already be in Male, maybe best to plan only a few days in advance depending on the weather forecast…


PS - I’ve heard some vacation stories from Maldives were people took a chance holiday in rainy season tempted by discounts at resorts they could otherwise never afford and it rained heavily the entire time such that they could not even step out of their cottages the entire day…

One time, diving land-based in August, the sea was so rough that no diving was possible for 2 full days. Conditions got a bit better for the rest of our stay, but were hardly ideal.

 

[RealDiver81]

Why not contact the local dive shops and ask them their opinion? Sometimes it rains quiet heavily from the first week of June and some years the rains are late. With the advent of la-Nina showers may even come early from late May onwards…. Since you will already be in Male, maybe best to plan only a few days in advance depending on the weather forecast…


PS - I’ve heard some vacation stories from Maldives were people took a chance holiday in rainy season tempted by discounts at resorts they could otherwise never afford and it rained heavily the entire time such that they could not even step out of their cottages the entire day…

My understanding is that those diveshops are partial and they will always say that diving is possible all year round bla bla bla. I prefer to get first-hand experiences from fellow divers, which is precisely the purpose of this forum, isn't it?

PS: I have to be in the Maldives in June anyway so if diving is not possible due to rain etc., it's no big deal. I just don't want to waste money on mediocre diving; I'd rather wait till next time I'm there again in the right season. On the other hand, if underwater the difference is minimal and only impacts visibility, I'd take the opportunity. I know this is tricky and it comes down to personal preferences...