Expertise Since 1987
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Maldives Seasons
During the Southwest season from May-October diving on the west side of the atolls can be very active – good visibility typically attracts large schools of pelagic creatures including different species of sharks, tuna, wrasse, rays and turtles. Diving on the east side of the atolls can make this season very special. Though the visibility will be decreased due to the increased plankton, it is the best time and place in the Maldives to see manta rays and whale sharks, making up for the reduced viz. This is manta feeding season so there are usually more mantas during these months. Because the Maldives is in the equatorial belt, severe storms and cyclones are extremely rare events.
Currents: The currents are not typically as strong this time of year or on the offered itineraries. These itineraries are recommended for those who may not be advanced divers or very comfortable in strong currents.
Visibility: Will be reduced, especially on the east side of the atolls, but, remember, reduced visibility means more plankton which means more mantas!!!
Sealife: As mentioned above, same creatures year-round but there are definitely more mantas hanging out and feeding around Baa Atoll this time of year. And, don’t forget about the macro photography opportunities – this is not only a big animal destination…the little guys are here, too!
The Northeast season from November-April is the Maldivian summer though there is little difference in temperatures from season to season. Conditions are drier, visibility is generally very good and the reef life is usually colorful. Current can be very strong dependent upon itinerary. Due to currents flowing from the northeast, there can be a lot of shark action on the east side of the atolls. During this season, the manta and whale sharks will mostly be found on the west side of the atolls.
Currents: On average, the currents begin to flow in November and get stronger through January. As we move into February they begin to subside a bit and April has more slack currents. But, it depends a great deal on what itinerary you are on – the further south you go, the stronger the current due to the amount of channel diving. In addition, April and November are months where the currents start changing therefore making them more difficult for the dive guides to predict.
Visibility: Should be very good on the east side of the atolls; can be a little reduced on the west side but that’s where you’re more likely to find the mantas and whale sharks.
Sealife: As mentioned above, same creatures year-round but there will be more species of sharks the further south you go. The mantas will be found mostly on cleaning stations rather than feeding in lagoons. The reef life can be beautiful. Good photo opportunities but it can be very challenging on itineraries with strong currents, especially with a large housing with strobes.
Maldives Sample Itineraries
Liveaboard scuba diving in the Maldives is the only way to experience the many inaccessible corners of these exotic atolls. Immerse yourself in mesmerizing outlying reefs, shark encounters, or electrifying channel dives. Or, all of the above! Choose from the following itineraries: The Best of the Maldives, Deep South & Southern Shark Adventure, Sharktastic and Northern Hi-Lights. These itineraries are examples only and will change depending on weather and logistics at the Captain’s discretion.
Days aboard Emperor Explorer® generally involve a cold breakfast from 6:00 am followed by a first morning dive, full breakfast, second morning dive, lunch around 12:00 pm, one or two afternoon dives (depending on the itinerary), and dinner at 6:30 or 7:00 pm. On the day or days when night dives are offered, dinner is typically around 8:00 pm.
Special Consideration: Depending on your itinerary, you’ll have to book your domestic flights within the Maldives directly with a local airline. It is highly recommended that travelers arrive 120 minutes before departure for domestic flights. It is also recommended to book either the earliest possible flight to the departure city of the boat or to arrive a day before boarding in case of delays or schedule flight changes. You should check any baggage limitations and weight allowances with the domestic airline at the time of booking to avoid excess charges or your bag being uplifted to a later flight.
Best of the Maldives Itinerary
Where: Rasdhoo, North & South Ari, Vaavu and North & South Male Atolls
When: All year
Trip Length: 10 and 7 nights
Airport code: Male (MLE)
There’s a reason this is the most often requested and often run Maldivian liveaboard itinerary! Fish life galore (over 1000 species are found in the Maldives), nudibranchs, sea turtles, whale sharks, and more mean something for everyone’s wish list. Photographers will be hard-pressed to decide between macro and wide-angle lenses! On this popular itinerary, divers experience a sampling of the many extraordinary types of sites including lush thilas (reef mounts), manta cleaning stations and deep channel dives. It’s easy to see why many guests choose this for their first Maldivian adventure and then return!
You don’t need a minimum number of dives for this itinerary but you should be 
comfortable with drift diving, as currents can be unpredictable and strong. If you are an Open Water Diver, some dives are below 18m therefore we recommend having advanced experience or taking your PADI Advanced Open Water course on board to maximize your enjoyment. Inexperienced and beginner divers may find some dives challenging and may be asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. All diving is made from dhonis to give precise entry and exit points.
Deep South & Southern Sharks Itinerary
Where: Huvadhoo, Foammulah, and Addu Atolls
When: February & March, by charter request
Trip Length: 7 and 14 nights
Airport codes: Male (MLE) and Addu (GAN)
Exotic Deep South itineraries are the crown jewels of Maldives liveaboard diving! Far from the thrum of Male, the secluded atolls visited on these exclusive diving itineraries are truly off the beaten path. From electrifying channel dives with a multitude of shark species to mantas and a spectacular diversity of fish life, these dive sites impress even the most experienced divers! Frequently oceanic blacktips, tiger sharks, thresher sharks, and hammerheads are seen. Occasionally, mola-mola also make an appearance.
Most Southern itinerary dives will involve going to depth and diving in channels with strong currents, which can be challenging. Therefore, this schedule is not for inexperienced divers. We recommend you have 100 logged dives to join this trip and require that you are PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent. Divers may find some dives challenging and may decide, based on the Cruise Director’s description, to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. All diving is made from dhonis to give precise entry and exit points.
Please note: Due to weather and diving conditions, it’s not always possible to visit each Atoll. Your Cruise Director will decide the best ones to visit at the time of diving.
Sharktastic Itinerary
Where: South Ari, South Male, Vaavu and Meemu Atolls
When: January – April
Trip length: 7 nights
Airport code: Male (MLE)
In this period, the clean ocean water flows from the eastern side of the Maldives. That means currents running from Indonesia bring with them great visibility (up to 40m) and a great variety of pelagics. Diving in channels with speedy drift dives is just outstanding, with grey reef sharks, dog tooth tunas, eagle rays, whitetip reef sharks, and nurse sharks. The outer walls and corners of Vaavu and Meemu Atolls have the added bonus of beautiful overhangs draping in the blues, yellows, and pinks of the majestic soft corals. After the adrenaline-pumping channel dives of Eastern Maldives, we cross over to South Ari Atoll, looking for whalesharks and manta rays at Maamagili and Rangali among other great sites as Kudarah Thila and Kudimaa Wreck, known for its potential leaf fish and frogfish.
Most dives on this itinerary involve going to depth and diving in channels with strong currents that can be challenging, therefore, it is not for inexperienced divers. We recommend you have 100 logged dives to join this trip and require that you are PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent. Divers may find some dives challenging and may decide, based on the cruise director’s description, to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience.
Northern Hi-Lights Itinerary
Where: North Male, Lhaviyani, Baa, Rasdhoo, and North Ari Atolls
When: July – October
Trip length: 10 nights
Airport code: Male (MLE)
The Northern Hi-Lights itinerary is a must-do! It combines the most popular sites from ‘The Best of the Maldives’ itineraries with northern atolls Lhaviyani and Baa where you may have the chance to discover beautiful pinnacles, mysterious caves, vibrant reefs, abundant macro life, and famous manta cleaning stations. Some of the best channel dives in the Maldives are in the Northern atolls where there is a much higher chance of seeing reef sharks, whale sharks and manta rays. Bonus itinerary highlights include a stop in Rasdhoo Atoll, aka hammerhead central, and Hanifaru Bay for close-up manta encounters at cleaning stations. Although sightings aren’t guaranteed, the Northern Hi-Lights itinerary is a diver’s best chance at being face-to-face with these famed giants (all week long!).
On this Maldives itinerary, you don’t need a minimum number of dives but you should be comfortable with drift diving. Currents can be unpredictable and strong. If you are an Open Water Diver, some dives are below 18m therefore we recommend having advanced experience or taking your PADI Advanced Open Water course on board to maximize your enjoyment. Inexperienced and beginner divers may find some dives challenging and may be asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. All diving is made from dhonis to give precise entry and exit points.
