MARAMAholiday offers the following cruises by sea on a Live-aboard, this can be either touring, fishing, surfing & diving or a combination of these types.
Live-aboard itineraries are made considering the seasons and the type of cruise such as surfing or diving. The quality of individual surf breaks, dive sites and marine parks is determined by the ebb and flow of seasonal currents, which in turn affects both the underwater visibility,the marine life and the surf break. Live-aboard’s in the Maldives follow the seasonal variations, taking divers, surfers & cruisers to the best sites for that time of the year.
Hulhumale’ is the main liveaboard departure location in the Maldives, and is a part of Male’ the country’s capital city, located on the southern edge of North Male Atoll (also called Kaafu Atoll). The main Male’ departure airport is Hulhule, situated between Male’ and Hulhumale’.
Liveaboards diving in the Central Atolls set out from here. North Male Atoll is the best known and explored dive area in the Maldives, long recognized as a world-class manta and reef shark destination with many longstanding, beloved dive sites of pinnacles, wrecks, coral gardens, and cleaning stations. Entry level divers can find offerings around Male, even though currents can be strong. Standard liveaboards departing from Male may visit North Male Atoll, Ari Atoll and Rasdhoo Atoll, and sometimes Baa Atoll as well. Other liveaboards may head south of Male Atoll to include Meemu (Mulaku), Vaavu (Felidhu), and Thaa (Kolhumadulu) atolls.
Classic itinerary: Over the years there classic live-aboard itinerary include incredible range of world class dive sites charted and explored in the atolls surrounding the capital, Male’. All of these live-aboard follow a flexible itinerary that take account of local diving conditions. The boats will generally operate in both North and South Male Atoll, Felidhe and Ari atoll and some operate a limited number of special trips further afield.
New itinerary: Lately live-aboards have ventured to some remote atolls in the Maldives. These new itinerary’s cover exciting new atolls, ranging from Haa-Alifu in the far north, to Huvadhoo in the far south. These atolls represent the new ‘frontiers’ of diving in the Maldives and lie well beyond traditional tourist maps.
The length of liveaboard itineraries ranges from 7 to 21 days. Budgets for liveaboards range from USD76 – USD300 per person per day per cruise and this varies for the type of cruise and time of the year.
Diving: The best time to dive in Maldives is all year. However, some people prefer to avoid monsoon season, which hits the area in April and continues to bring rain through October. The water temperature typically ranges between 26 to 30 degrees Celsius (80 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) with visibility from 20 meters (65 feet) to as far as the eye can see. Water depths include shallow reefs, deep walls, and everything in-between ensuring every diver can find their perfect dive. For the more intrepid diver, there are slow currents in many area and extremely strong currents jetting through the atoll passes for the more experienced thrill seeker. Whatever your tastes, Maldives has the diving suited just for you, which can be enjoyed in mild outside weather ranging from 24 to 33 degrees Celsius (75 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit).
In Maldives, additional liveaboards fees usually include gear rental (not covered by your trip price), which can be in the vicinity of 40 USD per person per night. Every diver also needs to independently purchase dive insurance before getting in the water. Some other fees like extra alcoholic drinks and special gear such as torches may incur additional charges. In the Maldives, a new Green Tax of 6 USD per person per night applies for every tourist in the country. Some islands and marine parks have national park fees that are not included in liveaboard packages, like Hanifaru Bay’s park entrance fee of 20 USD per person. Nitrox is offered on virtually every Maldives liveaboard- some as a complimentary service, and some for a fee. A fuel surcharge per person, per night may be added, depending on the route. This surcharge usually ranges from 10 to 15 USD per night. If you have any questions about extra fees in the, please contact us.
Minimum logged dives: Diving in the Maldives can be challenging, and as such it is recommended that divers have a minimum qualification of PADI Advanced or equivalent, with 40+ logged dives, although experienced Open Water divers are not precluded. Diving is encouraged to be undertaken in individual self-sufficient buddy teams and small groups, though you may of course choose to follow the guide for ease of navigation.Safety briefings on boats are conducted on day one. Check dives on Maldives liveaboards are often held in Male’ on the first day.
Surfing: Surfing came to the Maldives in 1973 when an Australian surfer, Tony Hinde and friends got shipwrecked in the Maldives on their way to Africa. Tony discovered the thrill of surfing on the Maldivian reefs. He changed his name to Tony Hussein Hinde, married a local lady, opened his own surf agency and decided to stay for good.
Live-aboard’s offer surfing cruises, giving the opportunity to test some of the less recognized surfs in the atolls further away from Male’ atoll. The recognized surf season in the Maldives is the Southwest Monsoon, from May to October.
The Maldives in recent years has attracted professional surfers. Maldives has hosted international surfing competitions which put her as a world surfing destination.
Surfing areas and conditions: Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, is reputed to be the best surf stop-over in the Maldives. The resort has access to two of the best surfs in North Male. Pasta Point, is a long peeling left with exclusive access to Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives . Five miles away you find the Honkys and Sultans. Honkys is a long wrapping left and is reputed to be the best wave in the Maldives. Sultans is a right with barrels. Other resorts to consider for a Surf holidays is Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa & Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi.
The average size of reef breakers is 4-5 feet, rising to 8-10 feet during the surf monsoon.
Surf monsoon is from late February to mid November, with the best waves coming in during March to May and then again in Sep till the end of November.
Reef breakers are sometimes quite tricky to surf, the water is quite shallow on the surf and the coral beds sharp and protruding.
Surfers are advised to bring all their equipment with them, as local surf shops have limited stocks.
List of Waves:
Sultans (Thamburudhoo Right) – Located on an uninhabited island on the eastern reef of North Malé Atoll, this is one of the most consistent waves of Malé Atoll, and never closes out, even on the biggest swells. The takeoff is a steep outside peak called Phantoms, which slingshots into a very long, walled, super-fast section called the Pinnacles. All three sections can be thrilling tubes. Rides can be up to 91–137 metres (298–449 feet).
Honky’s (Thamburudhoo Right) – Adjacent to Sultans on the eastern reef of the North Malé Atoll, this break starts small and increases in size and intensity as it wraps 90 degrees around the island. A 1.8-metre (6-foot) wave on the takeoff ends up at least 2.4 metres (8 feet) on the end section, called Fred’s Ledge. There are long rides and tubes through all sections – best on low tides unless the swell is huge. The best months for this wave are February, March and April (it is affected by strong currents in the southwest monsoon from May to October).
Chickens – Named after a poultry farm on the island, Chickens is located at Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili), another uninhabited island on the eastern reef of North Malé Atoll. When conditions are perfect, it is a pleasant thin, peeling, racing lip.