Maldives

Maldives Aggressor II - Best of Maldives

7 & 10 nights liveboard

Maldives Aggressor II - Best of Maldives

7 & 10 nights liveboard

Maldives Aggressor II - Best of Maldives

7 & 10 nights liveboard

Maldives General Information

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. The Maldives are a tropical destination for liveaboard scuba diving with a year-round sea breeze.

There are three distinctly different types of scuba diving at the Maldives: inside the atolls, outside the atolls and inside the channels or passes, which is where the currents are strongest and you'll find the greatest congregation of fish life. Most intriguing are the cleaning stations, found around every corner and under every ledge. Groupers, Snappers, Surgeonfish, Eels, Parrotfish, even Giant Napoleon Wrasse park casually in corners, oblivious to all, (including cameras) while armies of wrasse, shrimp and other assorted cleaners pick at debris in their open gills and cavernous mouths.

There are two distinct monsoon seasons. The northeast monsoon is from December to April and offers fair weather with significant currents. The southeast monsoon is from May to October with more wind and less current. The Maldives liveaboard scuba diving itineraries have been designed to offer the best diving according to the different seasons which is why there are so many different itineraries.

The big attraction in the Maldives for scuba diving are the schools of fish that patrol the reefs in colourful packs: Humpback and Black and White Snappers, Trevally Jacks, Barracuda, Batfish, Unicornfish, Yellowback Fusiliers and Harlequin Sweetlips almost comical in design. The reef's larger inhabitants, including sharks, rays and occasionally even Whale Sharks, are often seen cruising in the blue. Manta Rays can be seen year round with the best time for feeding station encounters from May - November. Whale Sharks are also seen year round with the most encounters in April, May, October and November.

There are three thrilling areas to choose from for your liveaboard scuba diving trip on the beautiful Maldives Aggressor II. The 'Best of the Maldives' offers 7 and 10-nights with 4 different 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 may dive up to 18 dives during the week on the 7-night itinerary and up to 27 dives on a 10-night itinerary.

The third area, Southern Hemisphere offers 7 and 10-night charters with 3 different itineraries to choose from. The itinerary for this Maldives liveaboard scuba diving trip will include South Male, Vaavu, Meemu, Laamu, Thaa, Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah 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 Addu or board in Addu and end in Male. On both outbound and inbound routes a one way domestic flight will be required at GAN International Airport located in Addu Atoll (GAN).

There are several daily flights to and from the Malé International Airport prior to embarking or post disembarking depending on which itinerary you choose from. For more information, see itineraries listed above.

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. The Male (MLE) International Airport is located on Hulhule Island.

Many major airlines fly into Malé (MLE): Singapore, Emirates, Sri Lankan, Delta and Qatar Airways. There are many connecting flights from the US, the UK and Europe

Recommended Hotels in Malé or nearby:
* Bandos Island Resort - beautiful beach resort that is a short boat ride from the Malé International Airport.
* Kurumba Island Resort - a private island resort located 10 minutes by speedboat from the Malé Airport. Offers multiple spas, 8 restaurants, swimming pool and beautiful setting.
* The Newtown Inn - Offers a great option for a day room while waiting for your outbound flight. Has a delicious Indian Restaurant, Bombay Darbar as well as roof terrace, located 10 minutes from the Malé International Airport. * Sala Boutique Hotel - Is a quaint boutique hotel beautifully decorated in a Thai theme. Located 10 minutes from the Malé International Airport.

Email the Aggressor Travel Department for rates: info@aggressortravel.com

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 travelers’ 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:

Each itinerary has a different embark/disembark island/port/atoll depending on the itinerary you are traveling on. Domestic flights may be involved prior and post your charter week. You may view your invoice or visit the schedules page for this information. Guests will be met at the airport by a crewmember of the Maldives Aggressor II wearing an Aggressor polo shirt and hat at 3:30 pm and then transferred by water taxi (complimentary) to the yacht at 4 pm.

We strongly recommend to arrive at least one day prior to the charter start date and to stay in either a hotel or resort in the Malé area or, our Aggressor Adventure department has many other wonderful choices of places to stay on other islands for extended stays.

All guests must be onboard by 5 pm on all itineraries so the yacht can depart for its first night anchorage with the first dive the following morning.

Malé International Airport: If your trip embarks from Malé and you arrive early in the morning, you are encouraged to either get a day room at one of the local hotels or wait at the Coffee Club located just outside the arrivals hall, where the staff will greet you at 3:30 pm and transfer you by water taxi to the yacht at 4 pm. The Maldives Aggressor II anchors in the Hulhumale Lagoon, which is a 15-minute boat ride from the airport.

All Other Domestic Airports: All other itineraries include domestic flights prior or post charter weeks. It is encouraged that all guests arrive on flights after 12 pm noon. Guests will be met at the domestic airport by an Aggressor representative for transfer at 3:30 pm. All guests will be transferred by water taxi and must be onboard the yacht by 5pm.

Best of Maldives Itineraries:

• Malé/Malé (7 & 10 nights)
• Malé/Malé + Thaa & Meemu (10 nights)
• Malé/Malé + Meemu (10 nights)
• Malé + Baa/Hanifaru (10 nights)

Airport Codes and Atoll Locations:

(MLE) Male International Airport in Hulhule Island, North Atolls
(KDO) Kadhdhoo Airport on Kadhdhoo Island in the Laamu Atoll
(DRV) Dharavandhoo Airport on Dharavandhoo Island in the Baa Atoll

Last Day of Charter:

If your itinerary ends in Malé, (last diving day), a complimentary walking tour will be offered in Malé. This will include a visit to the Presidents Office and Residence, the Old Mosque, the New Mosque, the local vegetable and spice market and a local gift shop. Dinner is ashore at a waterfront restaurant and is approximately $35 pp. This is the only meal not included in the price of your trip.

Check Out:

Checkout time starts at 8 a.m. Transportation is provided to the airport after breakfast. If you are traveling later in the day from Malé, you may consider a day room/pass at a local hotel , there are several close to the airport and can be booked in advance by our travel department

Itinerary

3 Itineraries:
* Malé/Malé (7 & 10 nights)
* Malé/Thaa/Meemu (10 nights)
* Malé/Meemu (10 nights)
* Malé/Baa/Hanifaru (10 nights)
16 - 18 dives / 6 diving days / 7 nights aboard
22 - 24 dives / 9 diving days / 10 nights aboard

Which atolls: North Male, South Male, North Ari, South Ari, Vaavu, Rasdhoorn

When: Spectacular channel-drift dives, wrecks, reefs, pinnacles, world-famous night dives.

Type of Diving: Spectacular channel-drift dives, wrecks, reefs, pinnacles, world-famous night dives.

Marine life: Divers will be astonished by the variety of marine life. From nudibranchs, eels, schooling reef fish, eagle rays, sharks and turtles to manta rays and whale sharks.

Embark/Disembark: Guests will fly in and out of Malé, Velana International Airport (MLE) and will be met on the start date of the charter from 11 am - 5 pm and transferred by speedboat to the Maldives Aggressor II.

The "Best of Maldives + Baa & Hanifaru" itinerary has a domestic flight not included in the charter rate prior or post charter week out of Dharavandhoo Airport (DRV).

SAMPLE DIVE SITES:

MALE ATOLL

Lankan Beyru (Manta Point)

The main attraction of the site are manta rays coming to the cleaning station during the southwest monsoon. The divesite is relatively easy to access, with small currents and is very often considered as a good dive to start the week. The cleaning station itself is a large coral block covered with anemones and full of fish life. It is also very common to come across whitetip reef sharks, turtles and napoleons.

Rasfari Corner

Large and shallow plateaus (10 - 20 ft) on the west side of the atoll, right next to the wide lagoon of Rasfari. It is covered with hard corals and hosts a cleaning station during the northeast monsoon. The most common way to do the dive here is to start on top of the reef, which is protected from the currents and after spending some time with the mantas continue the dive towards the wall that drops down to about 75 feet. The wall is nicely covered with hard corals, rich with fish life and popular with turtles.

SOUTH MALE ATOLL

Kandooma Thila

Definitely number one in the ranking of the best dive sites in South Male atoll. Long thila, located in the middle of the channel, offers spectacular conditions to observe grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, big schools of jacks and snappers both with incoming and outgoing current. North side of the pinnacle is nicely covered with soft corals with the top of the reef being home to many reef fish and green turtles. This area can have lots of current.

Rasdhoo Madivaru

Channel dive between Rasdhoo island and Madivaru offering a spectacular ridge facing the ocean to observe grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays and large dogtooth tunas. More pelagics are visible during strong incoming currents, the use of current hooks is advisable. The ridge dropping down to 150 feet on the outside, expands to a sandy bottom inside the channel where it is common to see stingrays.

If dived during the first rays of the sun, with incoming current and a bit of luck it is possible to encounter hammerhead sharks. In this case the dive starts in the blue. Depending on the air consumption guests will dive on the ridge and then drift into the channel.

NORTH ARI ATOLL

Maaya Thila

The thila (a pinnacle) is about 240 ft wide in diameter and is considered one of the best night dives in the Maldives. Top reef at 15 feet makes it easy to access even with current. The upcurrent side is always very active and busy with fusiliers and snappers. Big jack fish, whitetip reef sharks, stingrays and moray eels can be spotted easily. Some overhangs around the thila provide shelter for turtles. Even though it has a reputation for a night dive it is also quite popular during the day. A few separated coral blocks south of the thila create a tunnel and are full of beautiful coral bushes. With the right current this is a place to spot grey reef sharks as well.

Fish Head

One of the major attractions of the atoll, cannot be missed. Due to its exposure to the currents it offers rich presence of fauna and flora. Big schools of jacks and fusiliers on the upcurrent side as well as difficult to count amount of blue striped snappers hiding from strong currents inside the overhangs all around the thila are the highlights of the place. It is also popular with grey reef sharks, schools of barracudas and dogtooth tunas in the blue as well as turtles and moray eels on the top reef. With strong currents negative entry is recommended and current hooks should be ready to use.

Bathalaamaagaa Kanthila

Long coral ridge in the middle of a channel, extended from the outer reef and sloping gradually down to 25 meters and deeper offering good conditions for observing grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays and napoleons as well as schools of jacks and fusiliers. The dive site is active during both incoming and outgoing currents but might be more challenging during outgoing currents of northeast monsoon. Negative entry required and divers are recommended to hide below the depth of the top reef to to protect from the current. Current hooks strongly recommended.

SOUTH ARI ATOLL

Moofushi Kandu (Manta Point)

Drift dive with a chance to see manta rays hovering over the cleaning stations at a depth of around 40-75 feet. If mantas are spotted it is recommended to use current hooks and stay around the cleaning station for a longer time. The dive site is quite popular during the northeast monsoon. Whitetip reef sharks are common visitors around the deeper part of the cleaning station with blue striped snappers and fusiliers being permanent residents.

Kudarah Thila

The thila is a part of the Marine Protected Area and is often considered the most beautiful site of the atoll with exceptional diving conditions. Overhangs rich in sea fans and the top reef nicely covered with healthy soft corals are the highlights. It is also known for big schools of blue striped and midnight snappers, fusiliers and jacks. It is worth it to have a dive light and look inside small caves where often you will find large grouper hiding.

Kudhimaa Wreck

The Kudhimaa Wreck is a 150 feet long cargo ship lying on a sandy bottom at around 90 feet. It was sunk in 1998 and already offers beautiful coral growth and a large variety of species living on it. Nurse sharks, batfish, stone fish, lion fish and moray eels are permanent residents and can be spotted around the wreck. There are a few entrances allowing to penetrate the cargo hall as well as the wheelhouse. The site is nicely protected from the current.

Maamigili Beyru (Whaleshark search)

Located on the southern tip of Ari atoll within the Marine Protected Area of South Ari atoll. Shallow and very easy dive which might turn into a very exciting one as it is known as the best location in the Maldives for spotting Whale Sharks. Whale Sharks can be seen cruising along the reef all year round. Once spotted from the surface, divers enter the water, go down and start swimming along with them.

VAAVU ATOLL

Miyaru Kandu

One of the channel dives that you don’t want to miss. With strong incoming current the list of possible encounters is impressive. Mainly grey reef sharks but also whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleons and tunas are quite common and with the visibility reaching 120 feet during the northeast monsoon it can be the highlight of the trip.

Alimatha House Reef

This is considered one of the best night dives in the Maldives. Every night there is a show performed by a big number of nurse sharks, stingrays and massive jacks. Definitely not to be missed.

Suite Stateroom

A comfortable stateroom with a queen bed (for couples only) with a private head and shower and panoramic window. All with individual climate control, monitor with media player and hair dryer.

Twin Stateroom

A comfortable stateroom with two twin beds. Private head and shower, porthole windows individual climate control, monitor with media player and hair dryer.

Deluxe Stateroom

Stateroom 8 and 9 have two twin beds with the option to create a king bed. Stateroom 10 and 11 have a queen bed (for couples only) Staterooms have a private head and shower and picture window. All with individual climate control, monitor with media player and hair dryer.

Maldives Aggressor II Dhoni

Much of the diving in the Maldives is drift diving. Due to this all dives will be made from a a beautiful custom built diving dhoni (60 feet in length) that is very easy to dive from. It has ample space for divers, their equipment, photography equipment, hot water, a full bathroom and 5 compressors.

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The Yacht

Port: Male, Maldives

Built and maintained to the specifications of the local regulatory agencies and the regulations of the country of the flag.

• Length: 135 ft.
• Beam: 28 ft
• Passengers: 22
• Crew: 16
• Mostly Sunday to Sunday
• Boarding:
Sunday from 11:00 AM
Weekdays on some itineraries
• Check out: Sunday 8 AM

The Maldives has been an Aggressor destination since 2009.

Staterooms

Room #1 Twin Stateroom

Porthole Window

Rm Size: 14'7" x 12'7"