The Maldives Islands lie Southwest of India. Scattered across the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the gem-like islands of the Maldives depict the rare vision of a tropical paradise. Palm fringed islands with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear warm waters and coral reefs teeming with abundant varieties of marine flora and fauna, fascinates visitors as it has for thousands of years.
There are two thrilling itineraries to choose from on the beautiful Maldives Aggressor II. The 'Best of the Maldives' offers 7-night itineraries that includes the areas of: North Male, South Male, North Ari, south Ari, Vaavu and Rasdhoo which includes spectacular channel-drift dives, wrecks, pinnacles and world famous night dives. Guests will embark and dismark from Male. This is a year round itinerary with each of the dive areas offering exciting diving. Guests will dive up to 18 dives during the week.
Starting in 2018, the 'Far South Atolls' itinerary will offer 10-night charters with up to 24 dives. The itinerary will include South Male, Vaavu, Meemu, Laamu, Thaa, Huvadhoo, Foammulah and Addu. This itinerary will include mostly channel dives and offers exciting marine life such as pelagics, reef sharks, whale sharks, oceanic mantas and occasionally tiger sharks and hammerhead sharks. Guests will either board the boat in Male and end in Huvadhoo or board in Huvadhoo and end in Male. On both outbound and inbound routes a one way domestic flight will be required.
Getting There, Passports & Visa Documentation:
The Maldives lie 370 miles southwest of Sri Lanka. Scattered across the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Male (MLE) International Airport is located on Hulhule Island.
Visitors must have a current passport, adequate funds to support themselves, and a return airline ticket. US citizens are required to have a passport valid for 6 months from date of entry. It is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure they have the proper visa to travel into each country on his or her itinerary as well as for re-entry and return to their country. Since regulations vary by country, contact your consulate or embassy of your country for the requirement.
Arrival/Boarding/Departure:
Guests will be met by a crewmember in uniform at the Male (MLE) International Airport. The first transfer by water taxi is scheduled at 11 am. If your arrival is early in the morning you are encouraged to wait at the Coffee Club located just outside the arrival hall, where you will be greeted by our staff at 11 am. You can enjoy a complimentary drink and snack. The Maldives Aggressor II anchors in Hulumale Lagoon, which is 15 minutes from the airport. Further airport transfers will be scheduled depending on the arrivals with the last one being at 5 pm.
That evening the yacht departs for its night anchorage to prepare for diving the next morning. Depending on the itinerary chosen the checkout will be either on Sunday or during the week at 8 am. Transportation is provided back to the Male International Airport after breakfast.
Taxes & Fees:
Each guest must pay a Port & Park Fee of $290 USD for (7 nights cruise) and $350 for (10 nights cruise), which includes government bed tax, tourist tax and other fees at the end of the charter when settling your bill and a 12% GST tax on on-board purchases These may be paid by Visa, MasterCard, US dollars, or Rufiyaa. There is a 3% fee on purchases made onboard when using credit cards. Sorry, no personal checks.
BEST OF MALDIVES
16 - 18 dives / 6 diving days / 7 nights aboard
Which atolls: North Male, South Male, North Ari, South Ari, Vaavu, Rasdhoo
When: All year round. Itineraries prepared and specific dive sites carefully chosen depending on the monsoon.
For who: All experience levels. No minimum number of dives required. Familiarity with drift dives recommended.
Type of dives: Spectacular channel-drift dives, wrecks, pinnacles, world-famous night dives
Marine life: Divers will be astonished by the variety of marine life. From nudibranchs and eels, through schools of reef fish, eagle rays, sharks and turtles to manta rays and whale sharks.
Example itinerary during southwest monsoon (May-October): (Sites may change based on currents and weather conditions.)
Day 1 Arrival - Male airport
Day 2
Dive #1 Bandos Rock (Male area)
Dive #2 Lankan Beyru (Male area)
Dive #3 Maaya Thila night dive (North Ari)
Day 3
Dive #1 Hafsa Thila (North Ari)
Dive #2 Bathalaamaagaa Kanthila (North Ari)
Dive #3 Orimas Thila (North Ari)
Uninhabited island visit (snorkeling/football/volleyball/beach cocktail)
Day 4
Dive #1 Fish Head (North Ari) Dive #2 Panettone (South Ari)
Dive #3 Radhdhiggaa Thila (South Ari)
BBQ night on uninhabited island
Day 5
Dive #1 Five Rocks (South Ari)
Dive #2 Whaleshark search (South Ari)
Dive #3 Whaleshark search (South Ari)
Local Island Visit
Day 6
Dive #1 Kudarah Thila (South Ari)
Dive #2 Kudhimaa Wreck (South Ari)
Dive #3 Alimatha night dive (Vaavu)
Day 7
Dive #1 Miyaru Kandu (Vaavu)
Dive #2 Kandooma Thila (South Male)
Dive #3 Kuda Giri Wreck (South Male)
Sunset Cocktail Party with Body Beru live music show
Day 8 Departure - Male airport
Example itinerary during northeast monsoon (November-April): (Sites may change based on currents and weather conditions.)
Day 1 Arrival - Male airport
Day 2
Dive #1 Rasfari Corner (North Male atoll)
Dive #2 Boduhithi Thila (North Male atoll)
Dive #3 Rasdhoo Madivaru (Rasdhoo atoll)
Uninhabited island visit (snorkeling/football/volleyball/beach cocktail)
Day 3
Dive #1 Rasdhoo Madivaru blue (Rasdhoo atoll)
Dive #2 Hafsa Thila (North Ari)
Dive #3 Maaya Thila night dive (North Ari)
Day 4
Dive #1 Fish Head (North Ari)
Dive #2 Moofushi Kandu (South Ari)
Dive #3 Radhdhiggaa Thila (South Ari)
BBQ night on uninhabited island
Day 5
Dive #1 Five Rocks (South Ari)
Dive #2 Whaleshark search (South Ari)
Dive #3 Whaleshark search (South Ari)
Local Island Visit
Day 6
Dive #1 Kudarah Thila (South Ari)
Dive #2 Kudhimaa Wreck (South Ari)
Dive #3 Alimatha night dive (Vaavu)
Day 7
Dive #1 Miyaru Kandu (Vaavu)
Dive #2 Kandooma Thila (South Male)
Dive #3 Kuda Giri Wreck (South Male)
Sunset Cocktail Party with Body Beru live music show
Day 8 Departure - Male airport