Diving Holidays in the Maldives

The other great thing about diving holidays in the Maldives is that they can be enjoyed year-round. There are several Maldives diving season. The best time to enjoy Maldives scuba diving holidays is between December and March, when the diving in maldives weather is at its driest and the visibility at its best. Diving holidays February is probably the best month of all to enjoy Maldives diving trips, but since most of us don’t have the luxury to enjoy holidays in the month of February, Christmas diving holidays are a great idea and you might even see Santa Claus diving! Imagine enjoying the glorious sunshine and crystalline waters of the Maldives while your friends and family back home are shoveling snow! If you can’t manage a trip at Christmas to visit scuba diving santa and you don’t have a chance to experience the best scuba diving in February, you can enjoy liveaboard diving holidays every scuba diving holidays month of the year. When you go on a Maldives liveaboard diving safari, the experienced crew will know the best diving sites according to the time of year, and they will make sure you get the Maldives best diving experience possible for the time of year that you visit.

Liveaboards in the Maldives

Maldives liveaboard holidays are an amazing experience for anyone who loves scuba diving. Even if you are not an experienced scuba diver, liveaboard Maldives holidays can still be an incredible vacation experience.

A liveaboard holiday typically lasts between 5 and 14 days, during which time, guests cruise the stunning waters of the Maldives on a liveaboard maldivene, visiting amazing dive sites, scuba diving, snorkeling and stopping off at various sites of interest, including desert islands and the city of Male.
The main highlight of liveaboard diving Maldives of course is the incredible variety of Maldive liveaboards that you can choose from as a scuba diver. There is a Maldives diving liveaboard to suit every taste and budget, including Orion liveaboard Maldives, one of the most luxurious vessels on offer, which comprises 11 guest rooms and 2 luxurious suites, one of which features a private Jacuzzi and a private outdoor deck.

Maldives liveaboard diving offers scuba divers the opportunity to experience a variety of dive sites throughout the Maldives from the comfort of a diving Maldives liveaboard.

Liveaboard Diving in the Maldives

Overall, boat holidays in the Maldives offer an irresistible sense of adventure. As the boat makes its way through the atolls, it often stops off at local fishing villages, anchors near uninhabited islands and crosses channels between atolls. Scuba diving cruises allow you to discover several atolls, meet locals and discover authentic Maldivian culture in a relaxed way. Not to forget that, on many liveaboards in the Maldives, you can spend your time between dives doing other exciting water sports such as water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, fishing and canoeing.

January 2010 Holiday in the Maldives

January 2010 Holiday on Stingray

Maldives Dive Travel has just announced another great special offer on the Stingray liveaboard, so you can enjoy a great January 2010 holiday at an unbeatable price.

January 2010 Diving Holiday

The Stingray liveaboard is confirmed to depart from Male, the capital of the Maldives, on January 25th, for a seven-night scuba diving safari, stopping at the best dive sites in the Maldives. The Stingray liveaboard has long been one of the most popular liveaboard safari ships in the Maldives.

Stingray Liveaboard Features

The Stingray liveaboard has 9 comfortable cabins, offering accommodation for up to 18 people per cruise.  All cabins have air-conditioning and a private, hot-water, en-suite bathroom.  Towel service is provided regularly throughout the cruise.  As well as amazing scuba diving, Stingray liveaboard cruises also include several other activities, including snorkeling, island visits, beach barbecues, fishing and simply relaxing on board.

January 2010 Diving

January is one of the best months in the year for scuba diving in the Maldives, since the weather is dry and warm and the visibility is great.  Divers at this time are likely to encounter whale sharks, manta rays, grey reef sharks, eagle rays and many other, smaller marine life.  The Maldives really is one of the world’s finest scuba diving destinations and this great opportunity should not be missed!

What’s included in this January 2010 Holiday?

This January 2010 holiday aboard Stingray includes transfers from the Male airport to the Stingray liveaboard, three meals and snacks each day and all scuba diving.  There will be 2 or 3 dives each day.

All of this is included at a price of just USD 1,246 per person.  There are limited places, so book yours today!

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Whale Sharks in the Maldives

Whale Sharks in the Maldives

Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, can reach up to a massive 12 metres in length, and are common in the Maldives.  Historically, they were only to be found in the Maldives during the southwest monsoon season, but now, due to several changes in the environment including higher water temperatures and increased levels of plankton, whale sharks can be found swimming around the Maldives and in particular, the Ari and Baa Atolls throughout the year.

Maldives Whale Shark Encounters

Generally speaking, whale sharks are not spotted while scuba diving.  Instead, the dive boat, or liveaboard, will travel around an area known for whale sharks looking for signs of the sharks lurking underwater.  Meanwhile, the divers are ready in their snorkel – not scuba – equipment and once the whale shark is located, they jump into the water with their snorkel gear on, and swim with the whale shark.  Despite their massive size, whale sharks are very peaceful, curious creatures that present no real threat to humans.

Best Place to Find a Whale Shark in the Maldives

Whale sharks move around the islands of the Maldives depending on the season. In the drier, northwest monsoon season, which lasts from May to December, Whale Sharks are generally seen around the islands on the western side of the Maldives, whereas in the southeast monsoon season – the rainier of the two seasons – which lasts from December to April, the best whale shark spotting opportunities are found around the eastern side of the Maldives.

You don’t have to be a Scuba Diver to Swim with a Whale Shark!

The great thing about whale sharks is you don’t have to be a certified scuba diver to enjoy a whale shark encounter.  Anyone of any age can jump in and snorkel around with these amazing creatures.  The only requirement, of course, is that you can swim.  This is great news for non-divers enjoying a liveaboard holiday in the Maldives.

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Marine Biology Diving Holiday with Mary Eichler-Bilek

Diving Holiday with Marine Biologist Mary Eichler-Bilek

A very special diving holiday opportunity is available in the Maldives.  On your next diving holiday, why not explore the amazing coral reefs of the Maldives with the expert company and guidance of marine biologists and PADI-Certified Dive Instructors: Mary Eichler-Bilek & Leo Bilek.

This 14-night diving holiday is being held aboard the Carina liveaboard, one of the Maldives’ favourite scuba diving safari ships, which is equipped with everything you will need to enjoy this amazing diving holiday.

Diving Holiday with Mary Eichler Bilek and Leo Bilek

Last-Minute Diving Holiday

The Carina marine biology diving holiday is being offered at a very special, last-minute price of US$ 2.660 per person for the 14-night trip.  The diving holiday includes all dives, meals, accommodation and the incredible amount of knowledge that you will inherit from these marine biology experts.  There is also the opportunity to take the PADI-Approved Night Naturalist Specialty Course, designed by Mary Eichler herself.

Carina Diving Holiday Route

Proposed Tour Route: This diving holiday is confirmed to leave Male on February 8, travel around the South Male, Felidhu, Ari and Rasdhoo Atolls (weather permitting) before returning to Male on February 22.

Diving Holiday on the Carina Liveaboard

Special Marine Biology Themed Diving Holiday

This scuba diving holiday is ideal for those who love the ocean and all of its inhabitants. After ten years of diving experience in the Maldives, Mary is an expert in marine biology and she enjoys passing this knowledge on to others during her popular marine biology cruises.  In-depth dive briefings and workshops will be given in English and German throughout the cruise to help participants to see the reefs and their inhabitants in a new light.

Diving Holiday Special Deal

VERY LAST MINUTE price: US$ 2.660 per person.  The diving holiday is confirmed, a few places are still open for booking. Marine biology course can be booked on board (€ 320 per person).

We look forward to diving with you!  To book your space on this very special diving holiday, contact Maldives Dive Travel today!

	CARINA – Special Marine Biology Scuba Cruise Dec 21, 2009
	Special Marine Biology Maldives Cruise on Carina Liveaboard Explore the Maldivian reefs under the expert guidance of two marine biologists and PADI-Certified Dive Instructors: Mary Eichler-Bilek & Leo Bilek, Marine Biologists and PADI Instructors on board Carina from 8 to 22 February, 2010. VERY LAST MINUTE price: US$ 2.660 per person.  The cruise start is confirmed, a few places are still open for booking. Marine Biology Course can be booked on board. Proposed Tour Route: This scuba diving safari is planned to leave Male on February 8, travel around the South Male, Felidhu, Ari and Rasdhoo Atolls (weather permitting) before returning to Male on February 22.Furthermore, the route will follow the specific marine life upon which Mary Eichler-Bilek’s marine biology workshops will focus. Special Marine Biology Themed Cruise This scuba diving cruise is ideal for those who love the ocean and all of its inhabitants. After ten years of diving experience in the Maldives, Mary is an expert in marine biology and she enjoys passing this knowledge on to others during her popular marine biology cruises. In-depth dive briefings and workshops will be given in English and German throughout the cruise to help participants to see the reefs and their inhabitants in a new light. PADI-Recognised Specialty Course Available On Board A very special feature of this cruise is the opportunity of taking the Night Naturalist Specialty Course, a programme developed by Mary herself and recognised by PADI. There is also the option of obtaining the PADI – Underwater Naturalist Certification on Carina during the cruise. This certification carries a fee of EUR 90, which is payable on board . VERY LAST MINUTE price: US$ 2.660 per person.  The cruise start is confirmed, a few places are still open for booking. Marine biology course can be booked on board (€ 320 per person). We look forward to diving with you! Note: You must be able to check in for the cruise no later than 14:00 in Male on the cruise start date and you will have checked out by 10:00 latest on the last day of the cruise.  Take these times into account when booking flights to and from the Maldives.

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Map of Maldives

Map of Maldives

A map of Maldives is an essential tool to any holiday in this exotic destination.  But, finding a map of Maldives is not as easy as you might expect.  The islands of the Maldives are spread out over an enormous distance, so a map of Maldives is a very long map, with not very much land mass at all.  We have put together a selection of maps of the atolls of the Maldives to help you get a better grasp of where everything is in the Maldives.

Map of Maldives Islands

Map of Maldives

This map of the Maldives shows all the atolls, which cover an area of around 90,000 square kilometres in the Indian Ocean.

Map of Maldives’ Male Atoll

Map of Maldives Male Atoll

Male Atoll is divided into two sections – the North Male Atoll and the South Male Atoll.  Dive sites that can be found in North Male Atoll include Lion’s Head, HP Reef and Okobe Thila.

Map of Maldives’ Felidhe (Vaavu) Atoll

Map of Maldives' Felidhe Atoll

At Felidhe, or Vaavu Atoll, there are a variety of great scuba diving sites, but by far the best is Fotteyo Kandu, widely regarded as the very best dive site in the Maldives.

Map of Maldives’ South Ari Atoll

Map of Maldives' South Ari Atoll

Ari Atoll has a wide variety of dive sites, including the exciting Pannettone, Gangehi Kandu and Broken Rock.

Map of Maldives’ South Male Atoll

Map of Maldives' South Male Atoll

In the South Male Atoll, divers can look forward to diving at Guraidhoo Kandu, Kandooma Thila and Cocoa Corner.

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5 Reasons to Book your Maldives Diving Holiday Online with MDT!

The top 5 reasons to book your Maldives diving holiday online with Maldives Dive Travel!

Maldives Dive Travel, possessing over 20 years experience scuba diving in the Maldives, makes booking your Maldives diving holiday online a breeze!

There are tons of reasons to book online with Maldives Dive Travel, but here are the top 5!

1. Best Price Guarantee – Maldives Dive Travel offers a Best Price Guarantee! Find a better price for one of our holidays?  Send it to us and we’ll beat it! Learn more about our Best Price Guarantee here!

2. Immediate Availability – Maldives Dive Travel offers visitors “immediate availability,” meaning that you know exactly how many spots are available on a liveaboard trip when choosing your diving holiday! Instead of wasting time by writing to the operator to inquire about availability and then waiting for a response (which could take days!), with Maldives Dive Travel you know if there is space on a particular liveaboard for a specific time frame while booking your trip.

3. Liveaboards – All liveaboards featured on Maldives Dive Travel are checked regularly to ensure the highest level of service and safety.

4. Last Minute Deals – Maldives Dive Travel is constantly featuring last minute deals on the liveaboards, saving you money!

5. Convenience – At Maldives Dive Travel, we speak English and German, respond to all inquiries promptly and professionally, as well as provide information on the best dives sites, marine life, weather and much more!

Book your Maldives diving holiday online with Maldives Dive Travel now!

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Marine Biology Tour Special Offer

Marine Biology Tour Special Offer on Carina Liveaboard

There is currently an amazing special offer on the Carina liveaboard to participate in a one-of-a-kind marine biology cruise of the Maldives in the company of two marine biology experts, Mary Eichler-Bilek & Leo Bilek, who are also certified PADI instructors and naturally very experienced scuba divers.

Marine Biologists Mary Eichler Bilek and Leo Bilek lead Maldives Diving Safari

Carina Liveaboard at a Special Price

This special, marine biology focused cruise of the Maldives is now on offer at a special, last minute price of just USD $190 per person per night, including all scuba diving, meals and accommodation.  There are just 8  places left, so hurry and book your space today.

Maldivian Marine Life has Never Been so Interesting

To explore the stunning coral reefs of the Maldives in the company of these two experts is guaranteed to be an amazing experience for even the most seasoned scuba diver.  The knowledge that will be imparted during the cruise is more than any of us can imagine.

Explore the Maldivian reefs under the expert guidance of two marine biologists and PADI-Certified Dive Instructors: Mary Eichler-Bilek & Leo Bilek, Marine Biologists and PADI Instructors on board Carina from 8 to 22 February, 2010.

Carina Plays Hose to Marine Biology Cruise in the Maldives

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Maldives Diving Season

The Maldives Diving Season is in full effect!

While people in countries like the UK, Germany and Italy are shaking in their boots, trying to stay warm during the winter holidays, the Maldivians are welcoming their summer, also referred to as the North East Monsoon Season. (As opposed to the South West Monsoon Season.)

Book your liveaboard diving holiday in the Maldives now!

Diving in the Maldives during the North East Monsoon Season

The North East Monsoon season greatly effects diving in Maldives. The North East Monsoon season begins in November, characterized by strong winds and heavy rainfall lasting for about a week. Then, it travels from north to south, eventually setting in January.

During the North East Monsoon season, the weather in the north and mid atolls is distinct from that of the southern atolls. The north and mid atolls experience clear skies, sunshine and calm seas for most of the period. Scuba diving is fantastic during the North East Monsoon, characterized by excellent visibility on the eastern side of the atolls and incredibly warm water, averaging around 28 degrees.

Take advantage of Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE!

During this season, there are very few rainy days and the sun is almost always shining, making the Maldives a perfect winter escape.  Imagine the envy of your colleagues as they are trudging to work in the snow while you sun yourself and scuba dive in the Maldives!

On the other hand, the southern atolls receive a large amount of rainfall and experience rough seas during the early stages of the North East Monsoon. However, the sea becomes more calm and hot, dry periods prevail until the arrival of Hulha’ngu, the South West Monsoon.

Currents during the North East Monsoon Season

During the North East Monsoon season, currents begin to flow from the northeast, making visibility superb on the eastern side of the atolls. Scuba divers can expect a lot of action in the channels and atolls, including whale sharks, grey reef sharks and other large pelagic species.

Currents tend to be stronger in January and ease up in February. During February, the waters become more calm and the surface of the sea is undisturbed by any major wind or wave action. The doldrums continue through March and April, characterized by easy diving and slack currents. During the end of May, the season begins to transition to the South West Monsoon.

Check out this special offer on the Carina Liveaboard for February!

Marine Life during the North East Monsoon Season

Throughout the North East Monsoon Season, pelagic species, such as shark and jacks, can be easily spotted on the current points on the eastern side of the atolls. Futhermore, there is usually an abundance of reef life.

However, manta rays and whale sharks are normally found on the western side of the atolls during the North East Monsoon Season.

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