Destination
The Maldives is a very unique diving and tourist destination with approximately 1,190 coral islands in a double chain of 26 atolls it is not only the most dispersed place on earth spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometers it is also the lowest country in the world with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.3 meters (7ft 7in). The average ground level of 1.5 metres (4ft 11in) above sea level, makes it the lowest country on the planet. It's a magical place for divers, which only opened its first resort in 1972 to welcome tourists which, transformed the Maldives economy. Today we see more than 89 Resorts and a multitude of Liveaboards. Due to the expanse of the coral reefs and dive sites liveaboards are the very best option for diving in the Maldives in order to guarantee diverse exploration and discovery.
The Maldives is mostly respected for its amazing variety of colorful coral reefs, home to more than 300 species of fish. New discoveries are being made and being on a Liveaboard in the Maldives is like an exciting science project, as you never know what you might see or what you might discover. The crystal clear waters are trance like and the visibility can exceed any divers dream, think blue lagoons and you get blue lagoons in abundance.
Each atoll provides its own unique diving opportunity examples of this are Baa Atoll where you will find no end of moray eel, puffer fish, fusiliers, jack fish, lion fish and groupers or you may dive either North Male Atoll or North Ari Atoll providing no shortage of sightings of groupers, banner fish, hump head wrasse, sting rays, eagle rays, turtles and scorpion fish only to name but a few. When diving in the Maldives you are never far away from White, Grey & Silver tip reef sharks and rays of every variety.
The capital of the Maldives is Male, which is also where the main airport is based welcoming all international visitors. Flights are often connected via India, Sri Lanka, Doha, Dubai and all major South East Asia destinations. Increasing number of flights from Europe are now also apparent. Most Liveaboards will depart from Male and the Liveaboard staff will welcome you directly from the airport for transfer to the boat. Some trips require a seaplane trip which, is an added bonus as you get to fly just above the islands for the very best views in the world.
