Hey everyone!
I’ve just started planning my next big dive trip, and I keep coming back to the Indian Ocean. If you're looking for the absolute best way to see the atolls, you really have to consider a maldives diving liveaboard.
I’ve done the resort thing before, but you’re usually stuck with whatever reefs are within a 30-minute boat ride. With a liveaboard, you’re basically on a floating hotel that follows the best conditions. We're talking about waking up at a new atoll every morning!
Why I’m leaning towards a liveaboard this time:
The "Big Stuff": Most itineraries hit the South Ari Atoll for whale sharks and various cleaning stations for those massive Manta Rays.
Night Dives: There’s nothing quite like the Alimatha night dive with dozens of nurse sharks and rays swarming around.
Ease of Use: You dive from a separate "dhoni" (tender), so all the noisy compressors and wet gear stay off the main boat where you eat and sleep.
Has anyone here been recently? I'm trying to decide between the classic "Best of Maldives" route or heading further south for the deeper channel dives and more shark action.
If you've got any tips on which boats have the best food or the most space for underwater camera gear, please let me know!
Would you like me to help you compare the specific dive itineraries for the Central versus the Southern atolls?