Maldives Liveaboards are a paradise for scuba divers. Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, pure waters welcome divers to explore the depths. Several numbers of sharks, enormous schools of fish, and healthy corals round out the underwater experience. Above the water, flawless sugar sand shorelines, endless bright skies, and extravagant facilities make the topside hours superb.
Before we jump into the different atolls normally visited by scuba divers, a touch of Maldivian lingo may offer assistance. Generally, dive sites are comprised of channels and pinnacles on account of the nation’s unique geography. Locally, channels are called kandus while pinnacles are called thilas. You’ll detect these words in the names of several dive sites.
You can dive the Maldives year-round, however, there are two particular seasons. From December to April, oceans are quiet and visibility is great. But from May to November, whale sharks and manta rays are easier to discover. This can change from atoll to atoll depending upon the geographical area, so ensure you check your specific destination during the planning stage.
Let’s take a closer look at the central Maldivian atolls. Unlike Deep South Atolls of the Maldives , this is the most generally visited area by liveaboards in the Maldives, and where you’ll discover the greater part of the scuba diving operations.http://divebooker.com/blog/diving-getaway-or-what-makes-the-south-atolls-of-the-maldives-so-special/
North Male Atoll
As a result of its nearness to the nation’s main airport, the North Male Atoll remains the most visited area in the region. You’ll discover the healthiest coral reefs in the central Maldivian atolls here. For ravishing corals, visit the dive site called Girifushi Thila and Banana Reef.
South Male Atoll
Specked with pinnacles and channels, the South Male Atoll is known for its huge fish. Solid currents move through the channels between pinnacles and the island, bringing in huge schools of jacks, grouper and Napoleon Wrasse. Prepare for some high-speed drift dives!
Vaavu Atoll
With a 31-mile barrier reef bordering the exposed sea, Vaavu Atoll has a lot of heavy currents ripping through narrow channels. This area draws in a lot of sharks and rays at sites like Miyaru Kandu and Fotteyo Kandu. Fortunately, there are overhangs and caves for protection on most dives. Make sure you take a camera along because the large marine life and underwater topography give you stunning images. For a difference in pace, Alimatha Pier is popular for its night plunges. Under this resort structure, you can see nurture sharks and stingrays strike up a bolstering free-for-all.
Ari Atoll
A famous liveaboard stop, Ari Atoll is considered a magnet for pelagic species. Ukulhas Thila consists of many manta rays, while Maamigili is the ideal destination for people who love whale sharks. Furthermore, Maaya Thila is the most popular dive site in all of the Maldives with its wealth of reef life. Are you tired of big fish? Explore Ari’s wrecks with its enormous fantail stingrays and the Fish Head Marine Sanctuary with many reef sharks.
Rasdhoo Atoll
Rasdhoo Atoll is most celebrated for Hammerhead Point, a dive site where hammerheads are discovered every morning. This site is located on the seaside of Madivaru Atoll. There are likewise plenty of pinnacles and channels where you may see eagle rays, tuna, mantas, and reef sharks. Remember, manta season in Rasdhoo Atoll is from November to April because of its closeness to the open sea.
Baa Atoll
Baa Atoll is popular for its manta ray aggregation at Hanifaru Bay. From May to December every year, many of the elegant animals summersault and circle the bay, feeding on the extensive centralization of microscopic fish. Just snorkeling is permitted in Hanifaru Bay, but the shallow depths fit the situation much better than scuba diving.
Enjoy a dive holiday that gives all you could wish for from the famous sites of «Best of Maldives”.
There are more than 30 liveaboards operating in the region. Click here to choose an itinerary that matches your expectations. Here is a tailor-made top 3 picks: