Maldives

Maldives is an island nation of a total 1190 islands, formed in 26 natural atolls. Located in the Indian Ocean, south-west of Trivandrum, India and east-west of Sri Lanka. The closest neighbours are India and Sri Lanka. Only 200 of the islands are inhabited while more than 80 of the island are developed into resort islands. The population is around 340,000 and almost a quarter live on the capital Male' island, which is just 10 minutes boat ride from the International airport. Male' is the commercial hub of the country.

The Maldives are a region that is perfectly suited for drift diving. In the Maldives, there are three categories of dives, the dives done inside the atolls, the dives done outside the atolls, the dives done inside the channels, or passes in this same order are generally classified the different levels of skill.

Ocean water temperatures rarely vary beyond 27 - 30° C although thermo clines can sometimes be experienced at depths below 20 meters.

Coral Divers Travel / blue o two

Coral Divers Travel is proud to team up with blue o two to bring this package to you, our South African market.

Blue o two offer worldwide scuba diving holidays. Specialising in luxury live aboards, they manage our own award winning fleet in the Egyptian Red Sea; as well as offering a wide variety of live aboards and resort diving holidays across the globe. Their expert travel team are always happy to help and as keen divers themselves, have the knowledge and experience required to find your perfect scuba diving holiday! They believe in adding value wherever possible, not only through our competitive prices, but also in the services they provide. They make quality of service paramount; from initial enquiry to the organisation on the vessel... their team is always available to help. Being unique is also very important to us and our speciality itineraries where education is key, partnership with leading Shark and Marine Conservation charity Bite-Back and unique business structure are just some examples of this. Striving to make every possible aspect of business operations ethical and sustainable is high on their agenda and recently winning the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award for 'Best in a Marine Environment' is testament to this aim.

For more information on blue o two please visit www.blueotwo.com .

The Live aboard - M/V Carpe Diem

Built in 2008, M/V Carpe Diem is a 35m luxury live aboard with separate fully equipped diving dhoni. Cabins and facilities are spread over four decks and so with a maximum capacity of 20 guests, there is ample space to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Indian Ocean.

On the main deck you will find the bar and lounge area, equipped with a wide flat screen TV, DVD / MP3 player, in house sounds system, sitting / dance area and a bar offering you a wide variety of spirits, wines, liquors, cocktails and beers. As well as the bar area, there is a further relaxation area in the shade with confortable seating where you can sit back and take in the beautiful colours of the Indian Ocean. There is also a gallery, a spacious cold room and a laundry room. Buffet dinners are served by the dine dining chef whilst overlooking stunning views. There is a 115m 2 sun deck, which is partially shaded and has a sitting area in the middle for the sun lovers.

M/V Carpe Diem offers a range of cabin upgrade options from a double room to a beautiful large king suite on the main deck with stunning views across the water. This live aboard vessel provides the perfect platform from which to explore the Northern Atolls.

The Itinerary

This trip will follow the Classic Route: North Male - South Male - Ari (Rashdoo)

North Male: With at least 40 dives sites dotted around both sides of the atoll, North Male is an excellent year-round diving option. Reef fish, turtles, schooling barracuda, eagle rays, sharks and during Iruvaa , manta cleaning stations and whale sharks are all frequently sighted in this atoll. Beautiful scenery, caves, drop offs and some of the best coral reefs in the Maldives result in North Male being one of the most well-known diving areas of the atolls. (Iruvaa is the term used for the season from December to April, when the current flows from the north.)

South Male: Kandus, or channels, are a distinguishing feature of this area of the Maldives. Guraidhoo Kandu is a vast region of channels, drop offs, reefs and walls in which many marine species reside including squirrelfish, moray eels and lionfish. Larger pelagics patrol the channel with grey reef shark, schools of eagle rays , giant trevally and dogtooth tuna sightings all resulting in some fabulous underwater experiences.

Ari (Rashdoo): North Ari is famous for its thilas and some of the Maldives best known dive sites. Maaya Thila is the place for white tip reef sharks, schooling grey reef sharks and the tiny atoll of Rasdhoo Madivaru attracts scalloped hammerheads. In the south, turtles and eagle rays are regularly spotted. Sharks are also common. (Definition of a Thila - a large isolated flat top reef rising sharply from the inner atoll floor at 40 to 50m to around 10m from the surface.)

Dates

Departing from JHB: Sunday 22 April 2012
Returning to JHB: Monday 30 April 2012

Note: 27 April and 1 May are public holidays

Package price

R 26 449 pps

Included:

  • Full board on vessel (based on two sharing)
  • Tea and coffee
  • Single 12ltr (DIN/INT) cylinder and lead weights
  • 3 dives per day

Excluded:

  • Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks (available to purchase). As an indication, a soft drink is $2, a beer draft is $3.50 and a glass of wine varies from $4 to $6.50
  • Crew and dive guide gratuities. As a guideline we recommend an approximate amount of $60 per guest. Tips can only be accepted in cash
  • On-board merchandise available for sale from the vessel shop
  • Visa costs
  • Dive and travel insurance
  • Additional dive gear hire (see price list below)

Diving Qualifications

  • QUALIFICATION NEEDED: PADI open water or equivalent - no minimum number of logged dives required.
  • You will be required to present your qualification card and recent log books upon check-in onto the vessel.
  • Fit to Dive - Please ensure that you are fit to dive. You will be required to complete a medical statement upon check-in onto the vessel. blue o two reserves the right to request that you obtain a medical examination if they are not satisfied with your statement. Please obtain a doctor's note to clear you for diving if you have any symptoms that could be restrictive to your diving. This will save time and confusion on the live aboard.

Diving Equipment

All divers are required to dive with computers and delayed surface marker buoys (DSMBs). All regulators must have an alternate air source (octopus).

Diving equipment can be hired on-board the vessel. Prices are in USD ($). Package for the week can be pre-booked and paid upon booking.

Item

Price per dive

Price per day

Price per week

BCD

$5

$10

$50

Regulator

$5

$10

$50

3mm shortie wetsuit

$5

$10

$40

Full equip hire (excluding computer and torch)

N/A

N/A

$220

LED torch

$8

N/A

$30

Dive computer

$10

$15

$50

Snorkelling set (mask, fins and snorkel)

N/A

$10

$30

SMB

$1

$2

$8

Mask

N/A

$4

N/A

Snorkel

N/A

$2

N/A

Fins

N/A

$4

N/A

Camera (including CD burning)

$50

$80

N/A

Video camera (including LED lights & DVD / 45 minute dive)

$75

$125

N/A

Films by instructors / DM and DVD burning

$150

N/A

N/A

 

Diving gases

There are compressors on-board the vessel and Nitrox is available. Should you wish to dive with Nitrox please advise upfront.

Gases

Price per dive

Price per day

Price per week

12l Nitrox refill

$10

$20

$100


Diving courses

Dive courses are offered on board – from refreshers to speciality courses. Please request pricing should you be interested.

Visa requirements

No prior visa is needed to enter Maldives and all tourists are given a free 30 days visa on arrival . This will be confirmed with embassy this coming week.

Health requirements

Visitors from South Africa are required to be in possession of a valid certificate of immunisation against yellow fever.

Currency

As at 25 September, 1 ZAR = 1.87MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa)
Cash is accepted on-board, Euros (€) and US Dollars ($), as well as all major credit cards

Additional on board activities

The following additional activities can be paid for on-board the vessel

Extra

Price per person

Salsa lesson – 1 person – private class (by request only)

$40

Salsa lesson – 2 persons – private class (by request only)

$50

5 Salsa lessons – group class (by request only)

$120

8 Salsa lessons – group class (by request only)

$175

10 Salsa lessons – group class (by request only)

$200

Windsurfing (1 hour)

$30

Windsurfing (1 hour)

$25 per hour

Windsurfing (1 hour)

$25 per hour

O-ring ride / knee board (10 minutes)

$25

O-ring ride / knee board (15 minutes)

$30

More information

Please contact travel@coraldivers.co.za with any queries on this trip.
For more info on the liveaboard and diving in the Maldives please feel free to browse www.blueotwo.com.
 
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