Diving in Maldives (Frequently Asked Questions)
General FAQ
Diving in the Maldives is an experience not too be missed. With an incredible abundance of marine life and crystal clear waters it has attracted divers from all over the world. There really isn’t a bad time of year to dive in the Maldives but here is a guide of what you can expect from each season in the Maldives.
From the end of December to May is the northeast monsoon season with the winds coming from the northeast. During this time there is a general lack of wind, this creates sunny skies and calm seas. Due to these conditions, the visibility on the eastern side of the atolls is good with roughly 20-30m of visibility and on the western side, there is about 15-20m visibility. From December to March the water currents flow through the atolls from east to west, this creates fantastic visibility along the eastern atolls.
During June to November is the southwest monsoon when the currents move easterly through the channels. During this time Hanifaru Bay offers some of the best sightings of mantas and whale sharks. They come to the area to feed on plankton that has been built up from the southwest monsoon. The visibility is also much better on the western side during this season. The wind picks up during this time and the sea can get a bit rougher.
Horizon III operates throughout the year.
Make sure your luggage is lightweight as it’s really hot in the Maldives. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen! 😉 On board we have towels. You can also bring snorkeling gear. We can provide BCD, Regulator, dive computer at an additional cost. However, we strongly recommend you to get fins, masks, and snorkel from your home country.
All of our routes are from Sunday to Sunday. We pick up our guests from the airport. Our representative wearing a Blue Horizon Shirt will meet and greet you at the airport. Please look for Horizon III (Blue Horizon) board.
Yes, we transfer all the guests from the airport to the boat via Dhoni.
We board all of our guests from airport to the liveaboard around 11:30AM and the yacht leaves at 12 Noon. If you arrive early and do not want to wait, you can drop your luggage at the airport and visit Male city or Hulhumale city and get back to the airport around 11 AM
We highly recommend asking your hotel to drop you to the airport (Velana) International by 10:30 near Burger King where one of our staff will meet you.
Additional please write to us via email which hotel are you staying so we can also reach out to the hotel to ensure your transfer is on time.
The itineraries are sample and subject to change due to weather, currents and other factors. Dive guides/director are the best people to make appropriate decision accordingly.
Our routes are for 7 nights but if your dates aren’t flexible and tight on your schedule, we can happily accommodate it. Since the boat will be on a scheduled cruise, in order to reach the boat, you will need a speedboat that can pick you up from Male (Velana) international airport and transfer you to the boat.
Speed boat charges are tentative and subject to change based on the exact location of the boat. Please write an email to us so we can confirm the pricing for you. Travel@blue-horizon.com.mv OR service@blue-horizon.com.mv
About the Dive Safari
We have 12 cabins on board and each cabin can have 2 pax. Each cabin has air con and a toilet. We can accommodate 24 divers easily on board. We have three Deluxe Cabins including one master deluxe. Below deck has 8 rooms, single, double and slightly elevated bunk beds.
We start the day by offering a Coffee. First dive is done early in the morning. Then we come for the breakfast. After relaxing for a while next dive briefing is done, Lunch is served followed by afternoon tea and snacks. 3rd Dive is done Around evening followed by light snacks tea and coffee.
Yes we do. In fact, you can ask crew to set you up the fishing rod if you don’t know how to do it! Crew and the captain will happily help you to catch some Tuna 😉
You can always ask the crew or captain to take you to a local island for an island hopping. You can snorkel, read books, do fishing, relaxing and more. Dingy is usually used to take the guests to the island while Dhoni is used for diving.
That’s the best part about being on Horizon III. Our cook will surely make your trip the delicious one with his majestic skills. The food consist of sausages, pasta, spaghetti, tuna, fried rice, veggie, salad, fresh juice, apple juice, pizza, BBQ at a sand bank (subject to weather) Masooni with Roshi (Maldivian breakfast) and much more.
All of our cruises are from Sunday to Sunday. We pick up the guests from the airport. Our representative wearing Blue Horizon shirt will meet you at the airport holding Horizon III (Blue Horizon) board.
Charging station consists of UK 3 pin electrical sockets using 220 volts AC 50Hz. Security cameras are 24 hours operational.
Free tea, coffee snacks all day. Coconut as a refreshment after 3rd dive in the evening along with tea and coffee. If you have certain food restriction or dietary request, please inform us while booking so we can serve you accordingly. All foods are locally resourced.
Pork is not allowed in the Maldives.
To do an open water course, we have to go to places where the water is confined and since we have we do our dives up to 30 meters. We don’t do the open water course on board.
However, we can still allocate 1 dive guide depending on the number of pax confirmed for a certain trip. Please check with us prior to the booking.
Regarding Blue Horizon Maldives
There are two seasons: a dry northeast monsoon (Iruvai) and a wet southwest monsoon (Hulhagu). Between May and November, the prevailing winds are south-westerly. The average rainfall is 215mm with 208 hours of sunshine a month.
Around mid-December the winds turn to the northeast and bring a much drier climate. Rainfall averages 75mm a month with average monthly sunshine at 256 hours.
The days are hot and humid throughout the year with temperatures ranging from 25-30°C degrees and humidity at 60-80%. Sunshine doesn’t differ much between the seasons but there is a big difference in rainfall.
The currents in the Maldives can be very strong. During the northeast monsoon, ocean currents are driven through the atoll channels from the northeast; conversely, during the southwest monsoon, they flow into the atolls from the southwest. These patterns have enormous significance for the diving and we will advise you.
Check IN : 12:00 Noon
Check OUT : 7 AM
It is recommended to bring around Cash of USD 395 to pay for the bar bill (USD 100 to 170 depends on your consumption), internet, picnic island charge (USD 10 to 15$ per person for entry), Photos (USD 50+), T-Shirt (USD 15.00) and tips to crew (USD 100 which is around per 15$ per day trip).
We accept Euro and United States of American Dollars. The notes should be not damaged, drawn or torn. The Banks in Maldives does not accept if any notes have the above mentioned fault. So we advise the guests to bring notes that fit into the above mentioned criteria.
100$ service charge per person is mandatory which is roughly 15$ a day. Can pay more if the service was better than expected.
A T-Shirt costs around USD 20 per T shirt.
30 pictures is sold around USD 50.00 to USD 100 and more pictures would be more expensive.
USD 35.00 per person for 1 person for 7 nights.
We have British plugs and sockets.
Water temperature usually remains between 28 – 30°C
We use DIN and YOKE adapters on board. They are FREE of charge. Either you can bring your own or check with us regarding availability at the time of booking.
Almost all the diving agencies recommend 24 hours gab before flying. Hence, we follow the same practice on Horizon III.
If you’re a PADI diver, we can search up their database.
Maximum 30 meters is allowed in the Maldives. However, your maximum diving depth depends on your level of training and experience. Please ensure your insurance policy covers your depth before your arrival.
60 Minutes.
We do not provide a wetsuit. You can get it from your home country before arrival. Usually, 3mm wetsuit is ideal in tropical waters but some divers prefer a 5mm suit if doing more than one dive a day. We do three dives a day.
You will encounter schools of fish, different types of sharks with the likes of grey reef shark, whitetip shark, whale shark, hammerheads, tiger shark (Deep South) Sometimes in Central atolls as well. Besides that stingrays, mantas, eagle rays with regular appearances by dolphins. etc.
General Maldives FAQ
Your passport should have minimum six months of validity after departing the Maldives.
30-day tourist visas are issued on arrival at the immigration counter at Maldives International airport for all nationalities and are totally free of charge.
USD and Local Currency Rufiyaa are widely used in the country.
The Maldives offers a wide range of diving areas, all characterized by medium to strong currents making them rich in marine life. During your stay in the Maldives, you will hear many terms during the briefing.
Thila
A Thila is an underwater mountain with a top reef between 5 – 15 meters. It can either be really small or really big that you manage to see only one side during a dive. A Thila within a Kandu is usually the diving area where the strongest current is but also the ones that have the most amazing sea life.
Giri
A Giri is like a Thila an underwater mountain but comes very shallow to the surface. Often the top reef is only 2 meters under the surface.
Giris are mostly inside the atolls and therefore less exposed to currents.
Kandu
Kandu means a channel in Dhivehi language where when the tides change the water flow in and out of the atoll. Perfect places for drift dives and where you can see big pelagics animals like grey reef sharks, hammerheads and mantas. etc.
Lagoon
Each island in the Maldives has its own lagoon, usually not very deep. It can reach around 15 to 20 metres and is mostly sandy.
+5 GMT
We accept USD, Euros. VISA and Mastercard are accepted as well. There’s 3.5% credit card surcharge. Please note, the notes should not be marked, torn or old. Banks in the Maldives do not accept such notes.
Please inform your credit card company regarding your trip to the Maldives so the transactions will go smoothly without any difficulty.