Maldives - best diving

I've been here. This information is old but most mostly still applicable:
http://groups.google.co.uk/group/rec...e0fb279f69256a

Manta Point is a local dive site aptly named. There is also Shark Tilla in the middle of the atoll.
If your wife's a beginner, try to avoid dives with strong currents. Go for a coral garden, not Manta Point.

Nick wrote:
> Hi
>
> Looking to go to Maldives in a couple of months with the wife. She is
> certified but only just. She's a beginner. She also doesn't want to see
> sharks. (She's afraid she will freak out). She does not intend to dive every
> day.
> I have 100+ dives and want to dive every day. Seeing mantas is my big wish.
> I would love to hang around a cleaning station on a few dives. Sharks in any
> size and colour a big bonus also. I want exciting diving - not 12m sandy
> bottom only.
> In short, we are looking for the best diving the Maldives has to offer.
> Ideally we are looking for 4 star accomodation but will pay for 5 stars if
> that is where the best diving is found. Also, if the best diving is found at
> 3 star accomodation then we will go there.
>
> I have only just started looking at the different atolls/ islands and
> currently I am thoroughly confused. Can someone help to clear the air.
> Thanks.
>
>

I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
so thanks a lot for that.

We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
additional thoughts?

Thanks Jason.

"Jason" <jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.08.23.09.59.21.731678@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 07:46:18 +0000, Nick wrote:
>
>> Looking to go to Maldives in a couple of months with the wife. She is
>> certified but only just. She's a beginner. She also doesn't want to see
>> sharks. (She's afraid she will freak out). She does not intend to dive
>> every day.
>
> When exactly are you planning to go? Because depending on the season, the
> mantas move. I think they're in Raa atoll, around that time, so
> Meedhupparu would be a good choice. You won't see any sharks. It's the
> only atoll with a tourist island that shark fishing isn't banned in. So
> you have to be very lucky to see one. Though they do trips to Baa atoll,
> when you'll see them.
>
> You don't want to go to Ari atoll. Nice diving there, but the manta season
> is around February and March.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Maldivian trip reports including
> Kuredu,
> Fesdu, Meedhupparu, Ranveli, Summer Island Village and Velidhu
>

I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
so thanks a lot for that.

We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
additional thoughts?

Thanks Jason.

"Jason" <jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.08.23.09.59.21.731678@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 07:46:18 +0000, Nick wrote:
>
>> Looking to go to Maldives in a couple of months with the wife. She is
>> certified but only just. She's a beginner. She also doesn't want to see
>> sharks. (She's afraid she will freak out). She does not intend to dive
>> every day.
>
> When exactly are you planning to go? Because depending on the season, the
> mantas move. I think they're in Raa atoll, around that time, so
> Meedhupparu would be a good choice. You won't see any sharks. It's the
> only atoll with a tourist island that shark fishing isn't banned in. So
> you have to be very lucky to see one. Though they do trips to Baa atoll,
> when you'll see them.
>
> You don't want to go to Ari atoll. Nice diving there, but the manta season
> is around February and March.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Maldivian trip reports including
> Kuredu,
> Fesdu, Meedhupparu, Ranveli, Summer Island Village and Velidhu
>

I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
so thanks a lot for that.

We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
additional thoughts?

Thanks Jason.

"Jason" <jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.08.23.09.59.21.731678@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 07:46:18 +0000, Nick wrote:
>
>> Looking to go to Maldives in a couple of months with the wife. She is
>> certified but only just. She's a beginner. She also doesn't want to see
>> sharks. (She's afraid she will freak out). She does not intend to dive
>> every day.
>
> When exactly are you planning to go? Because depending on the season, the
> mantas move. I think they're in Raa atoll, around that time, so
> Meedhupparu would be a good choice. You won't see any sharks. It's the
> only atoll with a tourist island that shark fishing isn't banned in. So
> you have to be very lucky to see one. Though they do trips to Baa atoll,
> when you'll see them.
>
> You don't want to go to Ari atoll. Nice diving there, but the manta season
> is around February and March.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Maldivian trip reports including
> Kuredu,
> Fesdu, Meedhupparu, Ranveli, Summer Island Village and Velidhu
>

I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
so thanks a lot for that.

We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
additional thoughts?

Thanks Jason.

"Jason" <jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.08.23.09.59.21.731678@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 07:46:18 +0000, Nick wrote:
>
>> Looking to go to Maldives in a couple of months with the wife. She is
>> certified but only just. She's a beginner. She also doesn't want to see
>> sharks. (She's afraid she will freak out). She does not intend to dive
>> every day.
>
> When exactly are you planning to go? Because depending on the season, the
> mantas move. I think they're in Raa atoll, around that time, so
> Meedhupparu would be a good choice. You won't see any sharks. It's the
> only atoll with a tourist island that shark fishing isn't banned in. So
> you have to be very lucky to see one. Though they do trips to Baa atoll,
> when you'll see them.
>
> You don't want to go to Ari atoll. Nice diving there, but the manta season
> is around February and March.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Maldivian trip reports including
> Kuredu,
> Fesdu, Meedhupparu, Ranveli, Summer Island Village and Velidhu
>

I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
so thanks a lot for that.

We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
additional thoughts?

Thanks Jason.

"Jason" <jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.08.23.09.59.21.731678@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 07:46:18 +0000, Nick wrote:
>
>> Looking to go to Maldives in a couple of months with the wife. She is
>> certified but only just. She's a beginner. She also doesn't want to see
>> sharks. (She's afraid she will freak out). She does not intend to dive
>> every day.
>
> When exactly are you planning to go? Because depending on the season, the
> mantas move. I think they're in Raa atoll, around that time, so
> Meedhupparu would be a good choice. You won't see any sharks. It's the
> only atoll with a tourist island that shark fishing isn't banned in. So
> you have to be very lucky to see one. Though they do trips to Baa atoll,
> when you'll see them.
>
> You don't want to go to Ari atoll. Nice diving there, but the manta season
> is around February and March.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Maldivian trip reports including
> Kuredu,
> Fesdu, Meedhupparu, Ranveli, Summer Island Village and Velidhu
>

I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
so thanks a lot for that.

We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
additional thoughts?

Thanks Jason.

"Jason" <jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.08.23.09.59.21.731678@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 07:46:18 +0000, Nick wrote:
>
>> Looking to go to Maldives in a couple of months with the wife. She is
>> certified but only just. She's a beginner. She also doesn't want to see
>> sharks. (She's afraid she will freak out). She does not intend to dive
>> every day.
>
> When exactly are you planning to go? Because depending on the season, the
> mantas move. I think they're in Raa atoll, around that time, so
> Meedhupparu would be a good choice. You won't see any sharks. It's the
> only atoll with a tourist island that shark fishing isn't banned in. So
> you have to be very lucky to see one. Though they do trips to Baa atoll,
> when you'll see them.
>
> You don't want to go to Ari atoll. Nice diving there, but the manta season
> is around February and March.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Maldivian trip reports including
> Kuredu,
> Fesdu, Meedhupparu, Ranveli, Summer Island Village and Velidhu
>

I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
so thanks a lot for that.

We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
additional thoughts?

Thanks Jason.

"Jason" <jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
newsan.2005.08.23.09.59.21.731678@ntlworld.com.. .
> On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 07:46:18 +0000, Nick wrote:
>
>> Looking to go to Maldives in a couple of months with the wife. She is
>> certified but only just. She's a beginner. She also doesn't want to see
>> sharks. (She's afraid she will freak out). She does not intend to dive
>> every day.
>
> When exactly are you planning to go? Because depending on the season, the
> mantas move. I think they're in Raa atoll, around that time, so
> Meedhupparu would be a good choice. You won't see any sharks. It's the
> only atoll with a tourist island that shark fishing isn't banned in. So
> you have to be very lucky to see one. Though they do trips to Baa atoll,
> when you'll see them.
>
> You don't want to go to Ari atoll. Nice diving there, but the manta season
> is around February and March.
>
> Jason
>
> --
> http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Maldivian trip reports including
> Kuredu,
> Fesdu, Meedhupparu, Ranveli, Summer Island Village and Velidhu
>

On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 13:27:20 +0000, Nick wrote:

> I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
> so thanks a lot for that.
>
> We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
> additional thoughts?

They might still be around in Raa, but I'm not sure. Got a feeling it's a
bit late for them as it's near the time they move from the east sides of
the atolls to the west side.

So east is probably a better bet, i.e. Male Atoll, Lhaviyani, but not sure
how got the odds are. Could try emailing the dive centres on places like
Komandhoo and Meedhupparu.

Jason

--
http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for trip reports including diving
the wreck of the President Coolidge in Santo, Vanuatu

On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 13:27:20 +0000, Nick wrote:

> I was not contemplating on seasonal changes went it comes to manta viewing
> so thanks a lot for that.
>
> We are planning to go the second week of October. Does that give you
> additional thoughts?

They might still be around in Raa, but I'm not sure. Got a feeling it's a
bit late for them as it's near the time they move from the east sides of
the atolls to the west side.

So east is probably a better bet, i.e. Male Atoll, Lhaviyani, but not sure
how got the odds are. Could try emailing the dive centres on places like
Komandhoo and Meedhupparu.

Jason

--
http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for trip reports including diving
the wreck of the President Coolidge in Santo, Vanuatu