Theia Currently Cruising the Maldives

The newly-launched liveaboard, Theia, is currently cruising the Maldives, having set off  on Wednesday, February 24 with 9 scuba divers.  The orientation dive was held at Maagiri Thila, and a second dive on the first day was held at Boduhithi Thila.

Boduhithi Thila Dive Site Map

Manta Rays Spotted at Rasfari North

After the dive at Boduhithi Thila, Theia cruised on to Rasfari North, where guests were able to snorkel with some manta rays.  This had been a great day’s diving and everyone was excited for more exciting dives throughout the rest of the week.

Rasdhoo Atoll: Day 2 of Theia Cruise

The second day of the Theia dive trip began at Rasdhoo Madivaru in the Rasdhoo Atoll, a dive site known for hammerhead sharks, manta rays, reef sharks and other large species.  The Rasdhoo Madivaru dive started early in the morning, just before 6.00 a.m., which is the best time of the day to see the hammerhead sharks.

Rasdhoo Madivaru Dive Site

Maaya Thila Dive Site

After a successful morning hammerhead dive at Rasdhoo Thila, the guests took another short dive at Bathala Maaga Kan Thila and later two dives at Maaya Thila.  Maaya Thila is one of the most popular dive spots in the Maldives, famed for grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and turtles.  The site is also regarded as the best night diving spot in the whole archipelago.  Divers on Theia were lucky enough to do an afternoon and a night dive here at Maaya Thila, making for an unusual four dives in one day!!!  That’s what you can achieve when you wake up early!  Reports of both Maaya Thila dives were excellent, including reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, moray eels (swimming freely in the night dive)

Theia Liveaboard

Theia Liveaboard continues to cruise the Maldives for the next few days.  Check back here for more diving reports and updates.  After she returns from this cruise, the next cruise sets off on March 3.  There are many more cruise dates confirmed for this brand new luxury diving liveaboard.

To book a space on Theia, please contact us today!

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Scuba diving in Maldives can be divided into two seasons, the northeast and southwest. There are major differences in these diving periods, such as conditions of current and visibility, as well as the availability of marine life sightings in certain areas.

Before planning your holiday in the breath-taking paradise islands of Maldives, it would be wise to have a general idea about these diving seasons. The good news is that Maldives is good for all year round diving, so it really doesn’t matter what dates on the calendar you plan to have your vacation. A memorable scuba diving experience in Maldives is guaranteed to happen whenever you visit this tropical paradise.

The Maldives Southwest Diving Season

Scuba diving during the southwest diving season in Maldives often sees lower water temperatures. Due to this significant change in underwater conditions, creatures such as grey reef sharks and hammerheads tend to occur in shallower waters, congregating in larger numbers.

Southwest season diving in Maldives is superb in the western side of the atoll, offering sightings of large schools of fish, eagle rays, and tuna.

The Maldives Northeast Diving Season

The northeast diving season is during Maldives summer. This period sees great underwater visibility and lots of pelagic species in the eastern side of the atolls.

Calm weather during the months of February to April allow divers to dive with ease, as there is no disturbance from current and wind. The Maldives northeast diving season in the western side offers sightings of whale sharks and manta rays.

For Maldives resort and liveaboard booking information, click here.

The Maldives Broken Rock dive site is an amazing place for scuba diving where you can spot exotic fishes and other marine creatures. It is located at the South Ari Atoll, and is one of the well-known dive spots in Maldives.

Despite having a depth range of about 12 to 28 meters, the Broken Rock in Maldives is usually recommended for more experienced scuba divers because of its strong currents and protected pockets. A marine lover or enthusiast will surely have an enticing experience diving the Broken Rock in Maldives as it features lots of interesting activity and underwater life.

Attractions in the Broken Rock Maldives

The Broken Rock dive site in Maldives has a large area for diving, about 80 meters in length. One of its famous attractions is a very large canyon, separating the east and west parts of the dive site.

The Maldives Broken Rock is an excellent place for underwater photography as there are lots of schooling reef fish and turtles to be seen here. Divers will find themselves spending most of their time in the 50 meter long canyon, which has sheer walls fractured with crevices, and encrusted with sponges. The canyon in Maldives Broken Rock also features lots of colorful and exotic fishes.

A memorable scuba diving experience is what you’ll get in the Maldives Broken Rock. Like the other popular dive sites in this tropical paradise, the Broken Rock has its own interesting attractions and exclusive marine life features. Be reminded though to carry along a dive torch and surface balloon for emergency situations in this advanced dive location.

Want to know more about scuba diving in Maldives? Click here.

Despite the recent economic crisis, the Maldives tourist industry is going strong!

The Maldives President’s Office has reported that 67,478 tourists arrived in the Maldives during January 2010, making it the country’s strongest January in five years.

***Check out Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE for unforgettable liveaboard diving holidays!***

Moosa Zameer, Head of Planning and Statistics for the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, said that January 2o1o was “the best [January] we have ever had.”

Tourists Arrive in the Maldives on Cruise Ships

Sim Mohamed from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), added that many of these tourists are “surface arrivals,” such as passengers on a cruise ship who arrive for a day or two.

Sim Mohamed noted that a number of services have begun bringing tourists regularly from India and Sri Lanka.

Under normal circumstances, most tourists coming to the Maldives are at “the high end of the market – those who have the disposable income to go wherever they want to go,” he says.

Airlines and Resorts Have Cut Rates

However, in light of the recent economic crisis, many resorts and airlines have reduced their rates significantly, he explained, with some resorts cutting their rates up to 30-50 percent. More airlines opening their routes to the Maldives also means more competitive air fares. Get more information about flights to the Maldives here, like flights from Germany to the Maldives!

Because resorts are operating at lower rates, “there isn’t a significant rise in financial activity in Malé or even in other islands,” Sim said, but “it’s still a win for the government since they get bed rent.”

Zameer believes that the rise in tourist arrivals is not only accredited to cheaper rates at resorts, but to all the “work in promotions carried out after the [economic] crisis at the end of 2008.” He believes both the private sector and the ministry have put a lot of work into promoting the Maldives as a tourist destination, even for those who are more budget conscious.

Shift in the Tourism Market in the Maldives

Traditionally, the key markets for tourism in Maldives have been the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, China and Switzerland, according to MATI. But this trend has already seen a change this year.

Zameer says there has been a “shift in the market,” as European seasonal tourist numbers are dropping and the Chinese and Indian markets are emerging. Kuwaitis have also helped the market “enormously,” he says.

Zameer believes people are starting to realise this is the right time to travel, and they can “go to the destination they have been waiting to go to.”

Sim agrees “there has been a big rise in tourists coming from India. There is also a very sharp rise in Chinese arrivals after Chinese New Year, and there will be another one towards Easter, mostly Italians.”

He added that MATI is “feeling good vibes” from the market, especially from Germany and the UK.

***Check out Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE for unforgettable liveaboard diving holidays!***

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Seamoth (Pegasidae)

Most scuba divers that visit the Maldives are anxious to observe large pelagic species, such as manta rays, whale sharks, napoleon wrasse and reef sharks. However, the vast array of smaller Maldivian fish provide an unending amount of eye candy for underwater explorers.

Seamoth, or Pegasidae

The seamoth, or Pegasidae, is a small Indo-Pacific family that includes 2 genera and 5 species, of which one has been spotted in the Maldives.

The seamoth is an easily overlooked (yet funky-looking) species. Seamoths are often missed by divers since their exterior is camouflaged by the sandy ocean floor. Adults tend to bury themselves in the sand during the day, making it even more difficult to apperciate this odd-looking underwater species.

Seamoths can be easily spotted during the spawing period, when the female is pregnant and males, after having changed their colors, are courting their female counterparts (which generally occurs at dusk).

Slender Seamoth, or Pegasis volitans

The Slender Seamoth, or Pegasis volitans, can be found in the Maldives, due in large part to its long pelagic stage.

Additional Information About The Seamoth

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 – 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 19 – 22. Color in life variable; body usually light to dark brown, with dorsal and lateral area darker than ventral surface. Pectoral fins hyaline, distal margin white and spotted. Pelvic fin spine and 1st ray forming an elongate, tentacular structure. 3 pairs of dorsolateral body plates; 4 pairs of ventrolateral body plates; tail rings 8 (rarely 9), mobile. A pair of deep pits posterior to orbit. Suborbital shelf concave, eye visible in ventral view. Ventral ridges of rostrum greatly expanded than dorsal ridges, each with laterally directed denticles. Anal papilla absent.

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Photography in Maldives is an awfully inspiring activity. Who wouldn’t be mesmerized by those captivating landscape shots of the sparkling lagoons and white sandy beaches? Almost any person could take beautiful photos in Maldives, just because of its natural beauty and earthly aesthetics.

While the majority of tourists in Maldives indulge in scuba diving, you’d definitely see another bunch of people completely immersed in taking photographs of the breath-taking sunset.

Photography in Male Maldives

Both photography hobbyists and professionals will enjoy taking images in Male Maldives. There are a lot of fantastic landmarks in the tropical paradise’s capital city, such as the Presidential Palace, Hukuru Miskiiy and Sulan Park. In addition, some interesting activities also take place in the Male Maldives fish market. Definitely lots of room for creativity in this interesting city.

Underwater or Scuba Diving Photography in Maldives

For scuba divers, underwater photography in Maldives is another sub-area of interest. Capturing that perfect shot of the Napoleon Wrasse is not as easy as you think, but you’ll never run out of opportunities here in Maldives. This is an excellent place to practice your skills in underwater photography.

Want to know more about the perfect Maldives vacation? Click here.

A traditional Maldives boat, or otherwise known as ‘dhoni’ in local terms, is a strong symbol of Maldivian culture and identity. Built without a documented plan, the design and symmetry of a Maldives dhoni emerges as it is being constructed.

The average size of a Maldives dhoni is usually 33 feet, but can be bigger or smaller depending on its purpose. Boats in Maldives are mostly used for traveling short distances, and in tourist activities such as island excursions and scuba diving trips.

Building a Maldives Boat

In the past, boats in Maldives were built using coconut wood. Nowadays this material has been replaced with imported hardwoods, which serves as the main ingredient in making the dhoni’s hull. Copper rivets hold together the planks of a Maldives dhoni, replacing the use of coir during the older days.

A sail is essential to any Maldives boat as it will prove to be useful during emergency situations. It can also be used to save precious and expensive gasoline resources. The lateen triangular sail has replaced the traditional square sail made of coconut fronds.

Did you know that the basic hull design of a Maldives liveaboard cruise is entirely based on that of the smaller dhoni? These first class vessels are usually a hundred feet long or even bigger. To know more about luxury liveaboards in Maldives, click here.

Maldives is not really famous for shopping and entertainment as it is more often patronized for its spectacular white sand beaches and exotic underwater life for scuba diving. Despite not having much recognition in this particular area of tourism, there are still a decent number of places for entertainment and shopping in Maldives to be enjoyed at its capital city.

Shopping in Male Maldives

Some, if not all, liveaboards in Maldives offer half to day long tours in Male which also includes time for souvenir and present shopping. There are plenty of good finds in Male Maldives with products ranging from local handicrafts such as traditional mats and wooden curios, to genuine jewelry items.

A very positive note with regards to shopping in Maldives is its liberation from negative influences of globalized culture. Thus, your purchase is guaranteed to have an authentically local touch. A nice souvenir to remind you of your Maldives liveaboard experience would be a nice wooden carved dhoni to display in your room.

Entertainment in Male Maldives

Male has plenty of restaurants, bars and local attractions that offers fun and entertainment for a splendid Maldives vacation. There are also live bands and cultural shows every once in a while, and spending some of your pocket money won’t really jeopardize any other activities, as these are often reasonably priced.

Want to know more about the greatest Maldives holiday you’ll ever have? Click here.

Take advantage of the low price currently available in March for the Galileo Southern Atoll Explorer Tour!

Mark your calendars – March 11 – 22! But, BOOK NOW! Limited Availability.

This once-in-a-lifetime, 11-night safari begins with a 50-minute flight from Male to Kaadhdhedhoo in the Huvadhoo Atoll (also called Suvadiva Atoll), the world’s largest atoll.  This is a particularly untouched part of the Maldives with only a handful of exclusive resorts operating here and very few dive boats exploring the area, meaning that there are numerous dive sites just waiting to be explored.  Guests on this safari will have the opportunity to dive at many undiscovered dive sites and visit an array of pristine islands – some inhabited and others completely secluded.

Galileo Southern Atoll Explorer Tour

Depending on weather conditions, the safari will travel around several of the southernmost atolls of the Maldives, ending at Huvadhoo airport in Kaadhdhedhoo, from where a flight will return to Male.  This is the perfect scuba safari for divers looking to explore the unknown treasures of the Indian Ocean.

Galileo Mar 11-22 Southern Atoll Explorer Tour
Take advantage of this amazing opportunity at the unbeatable price of
only EUR 1,386 per person for 11 nights

Galileo Liveaboard

Galileo is one of the most well-equipped safari ships in the Maldives, perfect for a true expedition-style adventure.

Learn more about the Galileo, including its amenities, facilities, service, food & photos, here: Galileo Liveaboard!

What’s Included in the Galileo Scuba Diving Cruise?

- Accommodation in air-conditioned cabins with window, en-suite shower (hot water) and WC. Daily cleaning. Towels provided.
- Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Tea and coffee are available free of charge at all times plus one bottle of water per person per day.
- 27 dives
- Tanks with DIN/INT 12 lts, lead belts, extra diving boat
- Guidance by a PADI-qualified and highly experienced English-speaking dive instructor
- Use of fishing gear – local style, including hook, fishing line, weight and baits.
- Island-hopping, snorkelling service
- Picnic on an uninhabited island (depending on weather and route).
- On the last day a trip to the capital city Male will be offered
- Pick-up & drop-off at Male’ International Airport to connect with international flights on first and last day of the cruise, before noon.

Price does not include:

- International or Domestic air fares ( Male-Kaadhdhedhoo is 217 return flight)
- Airport taxes
- Dive/snorkel equipment rental
- Beverages, except those mentioned above
- Bed Tax: 8 per person per night is charged on board
- Dive and travel insurance
- Transfer supplements for arrivals/departures on days other than scheduled boat arrival/departure
- Fuel surcharge: in the event that crude oil reaches USD $100 per barrel on the international market, a EUR 6 fee will be charged per person per night
- Nitrox is available for EUR 5 per filling
- Additional dives will be charged at EUR 34 each

***All prices are subject to change without notice***

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When Maldives comes up in a conversation, what you’ll usually hear is how spectacular the island resorts and liveaboard ships are. But Maldives is not all about island resorts and liveaboards, some tourists prefer in staying at its capital city, Male.

There are certain advantages and disadvantages in going on a holiday at the Male. Some Maldives liveaboard and resort excursions offer tours in Male, but in what better way could you experience this wonderful city than staying in one of its prestigious hotels. The capital city Male has lots of cultural attractions nearby for the history buff, such as the National Museum, Presidential Palace, and the Hukuru Miskiiy, which is one of the oldest mosques in Maldives.

Fish Market in Male Maldives

The fish market in Male Maldives is a hub of trade in this city which thrives in its fishing industry. Hardworking Maldivian fishermen arrive in the mid-afternoon with their day’s catch so it is best to shop for fresh food during this particular time. The Male Fish Market does not only sell food, it also offers an array of local products, making it an ideal place to shop for presents during your Maldives holiday.

Cultural Attractions in Male Maldives

There are some cultural attractions in Male Maldives that could entice the avid traveler. The National Museum is a great place to learn more about Maldivian history and culture. Opening its doors to the public during the reign of former Prime Minister Mohamed Amin Didi during the 1950s, the National Museum of Maldives hosts a number of artifacts and antiques, dating back to the pre-Islamic times.

Want to learn more about the ultimate Maldives experience? Click here.