Maldives - best diving

On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 10:59:22 +0100, Jason
<jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote:


>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.
>

The DPM and I are planning to go to the Maldives around Christmas.
What sort of area would you recommend (and which resorts if you have
the knowledge) to see Manta's and Sharks around that time

Cheers


--
Pete
diving 'at' melbourne 'dot' me 'dot' uk

On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 10:59:22 +0100, Jason
<jason.news.nospam@ntlworld.com> wrote:


>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.
>

The DPM and I are planning to go to the Maldives around Christmas.
What sort of area would you recommend (and which resorts if you have
the knowledge) to see Manta's and Sharks around that time

Cheers


--
Pete
diving 'at' melbourne 'dot' me 'dot' uk

In article <deek8a$ko8$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Nick
<nospam@here.com> writes
>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.

Go all-inclusive - the islands are a captive market and drinks, if you
pay for them, are not cheap.

I saw sharks (and lots of other big fish / turtles) on almost every
dive. Usually small white/black tips (1m) but on one dive saw many
hammerheads (4m) - but we went looking for them specifically at a place
called "hammerhead point".

My wife learned to dive there. Not a problem for beginners. We went to
Kuramathi (village). Last minute deal. 3+ stars. Great place, proper 3
star hotel, as you would expect in the UK - not the 3 star rubbish you
get in Spain. Got a room 5m from the sea.

http://www.rasdhoodivers.com/

Free nitrox, decompression on the island.

We went in May/June. Can be a bit rainy until May - November, though it
only rained once whilst we were there - but it really rained.

If you are determined to live it up, there was an offer on the One&Only
with an Emirates business class flight earlier in the year that I was
tempted with - looking now they've currently got one with the Hilton:

http://www.emiratestours.co.uk/Speci...cialoffers.asp
--
David Mahon

In article <deek8a$ko8$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Nick
<nospam@here.com> writes
>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.

Go all-inclusive - the islands are a captive market and drinks, if you
pay for them, are not cheap.

I saw sharks (and lots of other big fish / turtles) on almost every
dive. Usually small white/black tips (1m) but on one dive saw many
hammerheads (4m) - but we went looking for them specifically at a place
called "hammerhead point".

My wife learned to dive there. Not a problem for beginners. We went to
Kuramathi (village). Last minute deal. 3+ stars. Great place, proper 3
star hotel, as you would expect in the UK - not the 3 star rubbish you
get in Spain. Got a room 5m from the sea.

http://www.rasdhoodivers.com/

Free nitrox, decompression on the island.

We went in May/June. Can be a bit rainy until May - November, though it
only rained once whilst we were there - but it really rained.

If you are determined to live it up, there was an offer on the One&Only
with an Emirates business class flight earlier in the year that I was
tempted with - looking now they've currently got one with the Hilton:

http://www.emiratestours.co.uk/Speci...cialoffers.asp
--
David Mahon

In article <deek8a$ko8$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Nick
<nospam@here.com> writes
>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.

Go all-inclusive - the islands are a captive market and drinks, if you
pay for them, are not cheap.

I saw sharks (and lots of other big fish / turtles) on almost every
dive. Usually small white/black tips (1m) but on one dive saw many
hammerheads (4m) - but we went looking for them specifically at a place
called "hammerhead point".

My wife learned to dive there. Not a problem for beginners. We went to
Kuramathi (village). Last minute deal. 3+ stars. Great place, proper 3
star hotel, as you would expect in the UK - not the 3 star rubbish you
get in Spain. Got a room 5m from the sea.

http://www.rasdhoodivers.com/

Free nitrox, decompression on the island.

We went in May/June. Can be a bit rainy until May - November, though it
only rained once whilst we were there - but it really rained.

If you are determined to live it up, there was an offer on the One&Only
with an Emirates business class flight earlier in the year that I was
tempted with - looking now they've currently got one with the Hilton:

http://www.emiratestours.co.uk/Speci...cialoffers.asp
--
David Mahon

In article <deek8a$ko8$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Nick
<nospam@here.com> writes
>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.

Go all-inclusive - the islands are a captive market and drinks, if you
pay for them, are not cheap.

I saw sharks (and lots of other big fish / turtles) on almost every
dive. Usually small white/black tips (1m) but on one dive saw many
hammerheads (4m) - but we went looking for them specifically at a place
called "hammerhead point".

My wife learned to dive there. Not a problem for beginners. We went to
Kuramathi (village). Last minute deal. 3+ stars. Great place, proper 3
star hotel, as you would expect in the UK - not the 3 star rubbish you
get in Spain. Got a room 5m from the sea.

http://www.rasdhoodivers.com/

Free nitrox, decompression on the island.

We went in May/June. Can be a bit rainy until May - November, though it
only rained once whilst we were there - but it really rained.

If you are determined to live it up, there was an offer on the One&Only
with an Emirates business class flight earlier in the year that I was
tempted with - looking now they've currently got one with the Hilton:

http://www.emiratestours.co.uk/Speci...cialoffers.asp
--
David Mahon

In article <deek8a$ko8$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Nick
<nospam@here.com> writes
>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.

Go all-inclusive - the islands are a captive market and drinks, if you
pay for them, are not cheap.

I saw sharks (and lots of other big fish / turtles) on almost every
dive. Usually small white/black tips (1m) but on one dive saw many
hammerheads (4m) - but we went looking for them specifically at a place
called "hammerhead point".

My wife learned to dive there. Not a problem for beginners. We went to
Kuramathi (village). Last minute deal. 3+ stars. Great place, proper 3
star hotel, as you would expect in the UK - not the 3 star rubbish you
get in Spain. Got a room 5m from the sea.

http://www.rasdhoodivers.com/

Free nitrox, decompression on the island.

We went in May/June. Can be a bit rainy until May - November, though it
only rained once whilst we were there - but it really rained.

If you are determined to live it up, there was an offer on the One&Only
with an Emirates business class flight earlier in the year that I was
tempted with - looking now they've currently got one with the Hilton:

http://www.emiratestours.co.uk/Speci...cialoffers.asp
--
David Mahon

In article <deek8a$ko8$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Nick
<nospam@here.com> writes
>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.

Go all-inclusive - the islands are a captive market and drinks, if you
pay for them, are not cheap.

I saw sharks (and lots of other big fish / turtles) on almost every
dive. Usually small white/black tips (1m) but on one dive saw many
hammerheads (4m) - but we went looking for them specifically at a place
called "hammerhead point".

My wife learned to dive there. Not a problem for beginners. We went to
Kuramathi (village). Last minute deal. 3+ stars. Great place, proper 3
star hotel, as you would expect in the UK - not the 3 star rubbish you
get in Spain. Got a room 5m from the sea.

http://www.rasdhoodivers.com/

Free nitrox, decompression on the island.

We went in May/June. Can be a bit rainy until May - November, though it
only rained once whilst we were there - but it really rained.

If you are determined to live it up, there was an offer on the One&Only
with an Emirates business class flight earlier in the year that I was
tempted with - looking now they've currently got one with the Hilton:

http://www.emiratestours.co.uk/Speci...cialoffers.asp
--
David Mahon

In article <deek8a$ko8$1@nwrdmz02.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com>, Nick
<nospam@here.com> writes
>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.

Go all-inclusive - the islands are a captive market and drinks, if you
pay for them, are not cheap.

I saw sharks (and lots of other big fish / turtles) on almost every
dive. Usually small white/black tips (1m) but on one dive saw many
hammerheads (4m) - but we went looking for them specifically at a place
called "hammerhead point".

My wife learned to dive there. Not a problem for beginners. We went to
Kuramathi (village). Last minute deal. 3+ stars. Great place, proper 3
star hotel, as you would expect in the UK - not the 3 star rubbish you
get in Spain. Got a room 5m from the sea.

http://www.rasdhoodivers.com/

Free nitrox, decompression on the island.

We went in May/June. Can be a bit rainy until May - November, though it
only rained once whilst we were there - but it really rained.

If you are determined to live it up, there was an offer on the One&Only
with an Emirates business class flight earlier in the year that I was
tempted with - looking now they've currently got one with the Hilton:

http://www.emiratestours.co.uk/Speci...cialoffers.asp
--
David Mahon

On Tue, 23 Aug 2005 18:41:51 +0100, Pete Melbourne wrote:

> The DPM and I are planning to go to the Maldives around Christmas. What
> sort of area would you recommend (and which resorts if you have the
> knowledge) to see Manta's and Sharks around that time

They start appearing in Ari Atoll around that time, though it's not the
best time to see them. Didn't see them on a dive when I went to Velidhu
at that time of year, did get to snorkel with some though, which was nice.
Had to borrow the dive guide's snorkel.

Just don't be tempted to go in the first part of December. Always seems to
rain then. Monsoon changes around mid-month. So any resort in Ari would
do. There's a manta point at both the north and south ends. They're on the
west side, so it would be a shorter boat ride, but most of the UK promoted
resorts seem to be on the east.

Been to a few. Reports on my website. Not sure Fesdu is open at the moment
though.

Jason

--
See http://www.scuba-addict.co.uk/ for Caribbean trip reports
to Aruba, Cuba, Grand Bahama, Barbados, St Lucia and Mexico