Diving:
Because of the weather, we did not do a check out on arrival day. This was done next day and on the very first dive we saw a few mantas gliding above us at about 15-20 ft. 20 minutes during the first dive we spot something I have been chasing for the last couple years. I was telling the crew/guest that if I see one in this trip I would stop diving altogether.
I didn't expect to see one, as I have tried in so many trips. But on the very first dive, we spotted 2 Whale Sharks!!!!!!!!!!!!
A baby/mother team swimming ride next to us. I was blown away and couldn't take enough pictures. They were so gentle and playful. It seems they were having as much fun as we did and they were just curious of these tiny human creatures.
Whale sharks are really a sight to see. They are HUGE!!!, the baby shark came so close to me I thought it would eat me, but at the very last second it turned around and I almost got whacked by its fin.
What a first dive. It was amazing. I think the first dive and the 1 night dive we did were the highlight of the liveaboard. All the dive sites were gorgeous, the Maldives has moved up to my second spot of the top places I have dived/dove. It has replaced Indonesia which was my previous #2. The Maldives it's just a tiny little bit behind Palau (1st).
The average water temperature was 85F. According to my dive computer the temperature never dropped below 84F.
At this time of the year the visibility was around 60 feet. In the shallows this could increase to 100ft, but at depth, there were sites it was only 20 feet.
Marine life was top notch. There were fish everywhere!, thousands millions of them. The coral was very healthy. And there was just so much to see. Turtles, mantas, sharks, everything, rays, etc. On the last dive we went hunting for Hammerheads, and found them.
The currents in the Maldives are very unpredictable. The dive guides would check the currents before the dive, but even then the currents could switch direction if you were 5-10 feet above/below. It was so weird, so if you are planning on going there be prepare for some "mild" current and few strong current dives.
Always bring a surface signal marker. I did not bring mine on this trip but was able to borrow one from the boat. I wish I had mine instead as I am used to deploying mine. But I can't stressed how important they are if you get separated somehow.
Diving was just amazing. That's the only thing I can say, even with the so-so visibility. I can't imagine how it would be if the visibility was better. Don't take me wrong, it was good visibility, but just imagine how it would be in Nov-March. I have to go back.
Conclusion:
I had a great time in the Maldives. Diving here was everything I hoped for, and more. I finally saw the Whale Sharks I have been chasing around. Got perfect weather for the trip and could not ask for more.
There were 2 large groups in this liveaboard. A large group from Italy and Germany, I was the only American in this trip besides the Russian newlywed. I heard from the crew there aren’t that many American tourists, and I was the first one on the Ari Queen. Everybody were friendly and very curious about me, New York, the economy and of course Obama.
The Maldives is an expensive trip if you include the flights, but it’s definitely worthy. You can only buy alcohol at the resorts, thus I bought 4 bottles of spirit so I could take it to my resort.
I have to say now, it’s much better to stay at a liveaboard than going to a resort. You get to visit more of the Maldives, dive and the price is a lot cheaper than a land based vacation.
After the liveaboard, I stayed one week at the Sheraton Full Moon resort. But, that trip report will come in another time.
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Cut and Pasted my post from SB.