The Republic of Maldives
With 1,200 islands, out of which only 200 are inhabited, and 100 converted into tourist resorts, the Maldives is one of the most unique countries on the planet: 99.4% of the country is water, meaning that for divers, this tiny republic 400 miles off the coast of India is the closest thing to perfection.
It is a little known fact, even amongst experienced divers, that the Maldives is one of the most reliable places on earth to meet whale sharks and manta rays. These animals can often be encountered on the same day.
Rich coral reefs surround all the islands here, teeming with fish life and pelagics, including eagle rays, blue spotted sting rays, barracuda, Oriental sweetlips, trevally, napoleon wrasse, and more.
zerobar.org offers both the best liveaboards and resorts from budget to luxury that the Maldives has to offer.
The Manthiri is one of the country's best. At 25 meters (85 feet) the Manthiri crew brings divers to meet whale sharks and manta rays (summer months) which inhabit the country.
The Manthiri sets out about every 10 days, email zerobar.org for information on itinerary schedules for 2007.
The Nooranee Queen is another liveaboard in the Maldives, and sails the South Ari Atoll throughout the year.
Maldives Facts:
Current Tourism Slogan: Maldives. The Sunny Side of Life
The English word 'Atoll' originated from the Maldivian language, Dhivehi;
Coca Cola bottled in the Maldives is made from desalinated seawater;
The highest point in the country is less than 2 meters above sea level;
Islam was brought to the islands by Muslim traders;
Shell money (cowrie shells) originated here, and the country grew very rich on the worldwide trade
Currency: Rufiyya (13 to 1 USD)
Getting There:
Currently, Singapore Airlines and Emirates offer the best connections to the Maldives, with as little as onestop service from Los Angeles and New York. Other alternates are SriLankan Airlines and Malaysian Airlines. (The Maldives does not have it's own international airline)
Domestic Flights: Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) and Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT) offer flights to departure points for liveaboards (not all liveaboards leave from Male, and some can be joined at one of the outer atolls)
Island Aviation offers domestic flights to outer atolls, although for most tourists, they do not serve resorts or liveaboard departure points, rather atoll capitals.
What to expect:
While the Maldives is expensive (everything is imported) most divers visit the country on a liveaboard, where prices can be no different from liveaboards in other countries. Resorts offer extensive diving from the atolls, however many dive sites may be revisited, unlike a liveaboard, which will visit up to three atolls during a week long trip.
When to go:
The peak season in the Maldives is the week between Christmas and New Years, avoid this time period if you are on a budget. Low season rates are generally posted for the summer months of May through August, and though this is the monsoon season, it is also Manta and whaleshark season.
Questions?
Send an email to Dave, who lived in the Maldives, and can answer all your questions.