Looking for recommendations

[landonnin1]

Hello everyone,
I am heading to Maldives on November 14th through the 30th. I am wanting to do some diving and Island hopping. Could anyone recommend where I should start?
Thinking of a few night in an over the water bungalow, was thinking about a live aboard for a few days. I really would to check out the culture a bit also. Looking for as much info as someone may share
I am an scuba instructor with 1500 dives and my girl friend is newly certified.
Thank you in advance
Matt

 

[mantajohn]

Matt

Thats a very broad question! I'll have a go at some (hopefully helpful) basics.

Firstly, island hopping doesnt really work in the Maldives as there is virtually no inter island transport. Male (the capital) acts like a hub. For almost all inter island transfers you would need to travel via Male. This would waste the best part of a day each time.

Secondly, almost all liveaboards are a minimum of 7 days.

Putting these things together, I suggest a weeks lob plus a week in a resort.

Re liveaboards, there's a wide choice, but Carpe Vita Explorer is a very good option.

I always struggle choosing a Maldivian resort. They all look similarly wonderful at first sight. In fact there are quite large difference. eg
1 or more restaurants; house reef or not; pool or not; number of rooms; spa or not etc etc.

For me the most important is to have a good house reef. After that, its just a matter of how many $$$$s you feel like spending. We've found that the best dive centres tend to be in the 4* resorts rather than the 5* ones.

Until recently, islands were split into being designated either 'resort' or 'for Maldivian residents'. With no cross over. In the last year or so, a small number of the residents' island have opened guest houses with diving. Apologies, i've no experience of these - I've only visited resorts.

I hope some of this info is helpful to you.

Cheers

John

 

[landonnin1]

John,
Thank you for your reply. It is helpful and I did read that island hopping there was not the best idea after i posted last night.
Can you recommend what island would be a good choice to start with? Or can anyone. So i will try to narrow it down: looking for recommendations of what island offers good diving for a beginner.
Thank you again John
Matt

 

[mantajohn]

Matt

Its 3 years since I last did a resort trip - recent visits have been for lobs. So my info will be a little out of date.

The best dive centres I've experienced in the Maldives have been those run by Werner Lau. Diving and Holiday Maldives. Though last time I went to Filitheyo, the resort itself was getting a bit tired.

If I was planning a trip now, i would look at returning to Komandoo Maldives Resort - A Romantic Adults Only Maldives Resort. A good dive centre for beginners & more experienced divers.

Best

John

 

[travelem]

Island hopping is possible if you stay in local islands as they are linked by public ferries.
Please see this ferry map:

You can go from Male to Gulhi, Maafushi, Guraidhoo, and Fulidhoo.

This article recommends four loalc islands: Maafushi, Gulhi, Fulidhoo, Guraidhoo.

Maldives on a budget: Part 1 - The Basics - seefoodplay.com

I also has a post talking about local island Maafushi and others:
Just dived & stayed in Maafushi again