The Black Pearl liveaboard explores the Kandooma Thila, Vaagali Thila & Medhu Faru dive sites in the Maldives…

The Black Pearl Liveaboard, one of the Maldives’ finest scuba diving vessels, concludes yet another successful week of adventurous scuba diving and fun in the sun!

Kandooma Thila Dive Site

Kandooma Thila is one of the most renowned dive sites in the South Male / Guraidhoo region.  Kandooma Thila features healthy coral growth and an abundance of fish life with the right currents.

With around 10 to 12 meters visibility, the dive at  Kandooma Thila turned out to be a fantastic dive. The divers had the chance to swim with grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and, of course, schooling jacks at Jack’s Corner.

Vaagali Thila Dive Site

The Black Pearl Liveaboard‘s second dive was to Vaagali Thila. Vaagali Thila is located southeast of Vaagali, an uninhabited island, and is the perfect dive site for spotting sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, fusiliers and jackfish. Furthermore, schooling snappers are often seen at Vaagali Thila as well.

Medhu Faru Dive Site

The Black Pearl Liveaboard‘s third and last dive of the day was to Medhu Faru, located south of Guraidhoo Island. Medhu Faru offered an easy, relaxing dive where white tip sharks and napoleon wrasse were the highlights.

Second Dive at Kandooma Thila

The Black Pearl Liveaboard ends the week in South Male’ Atoll, with another dive to Kandooma Thila, which ended up being a superb choice.  The current conditions were really good with a medium-strong current. Highlights at Kandooma Thila included white tip sharks, grey reef sharks and, to our delight, a mobula, also called a devil fish

Mobula, or Devil Fish

Mobula, also called devil fish, is a genus of ray in the family Myliobatidae (eagle rays). The appearance of a mobula is similar to that of manta rays, which are in the same family. The devil fish can attain a disc width of up to 5.2 meters (17 feet) and tip the scales at over a ton. The mobula is second only to the manta in size. Despite their size, the mobula remains one of the lesser-known ray species.

Mobula rays in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) have been reported to breach as high as 2 metres above the sea.

A mobula breaches, or jumps out of the water

Black Pearl Liveaboard Concludes Another Week of Diving

The Black Pearl Liveaboard will leave their guests at the airport  and resume diving on Monday morning.

Nautilus One is the Perfect Liveaboard for your next Maldives Scuba Trip

***Click here to reserve the Nautilus One Liveaboard for your next Maldives Scuba Trip!***

Nautilus One, a Maldives liveaboard constructed in the traditional Maldivian style, offers guests a beautiful and comfortable liveaboard for their next Maldives scuba trip.

Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Ship

The Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Ship, constructed in 1999, is 30 meters in length and 9 meters in width, capable of chauffering up to 14 guests and a 9-person crew. Cruising at an average speeed of 12 knots, the Nautilus One Liveaboard includes all the necessities to ensure that your Maldives scuba trip is comfortable, such as two onboard desalination plants for fresh water and a 19-meter extra diving boat, or dhoni, with air compressor.

While aboard the Nautilus One Liveaboard, guests can enjoy relaxing in recliners and the liveaboard’s onboard bar. During your Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Trip, you’ll have access to a charging station, adapters, power sockets, TV, Video and HiFi.

Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Deck

The Nautilus One Liveaboard features three decks for relaxing and sun bathing during your scuba trip:

• Sun deck – 150 square meters with a 40 square meter sun sail, as well as deck chairs and foam mats
• Bow deck – 100 square meters, (half covered) with tables and chairs
• Covered stern – Includes seating, stepped stern, bathing platform and fresh water shower

Nautilus One Liveaboard Technical Details

• Nautical Equipment: GPS, Sonar, Radio, GSM
• Water Supply: 2 on board desalination plant
• Power: 230V / 50Hz supplied by 2 diesel generators
• Emergency Equipment: First aid box, medical oxygen, fire extinguishers, life vests, smoke detectors
• Dinghy: 15 HP out-boarder
• Extra Diving Boat (Dhoni): 65 feet

***Click here to reserve the Nautilus One Liveaboard for your next Maldives Scuba Trip!***

Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Ship Cabins

The Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Ship features 7 luxurious cabins, which can comfortably sleep 14 guests.

Each cabin on the Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Ship comes equipped with an air conditioning unit and private bathroom (shower / WC). In addition to exterior windows, a 230V power supply is available 24 hours per day. Room service and towel service are available.

***Click here to reserve the Nautilus One Liveaboard for your next Maldives Scuba Trip!***

Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Diving

Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Trips are run from the diving dhoni along with two professional diving guides.

While on your liveaboard scuba trip, discover the beautiful underwater world of the Maldives! No diving destination offers more large fish, fish schools, colorful reef fish or a wider variety of underwater landscapes. Furthermore, the diving services of the Nautilus One Liveaboard are top notch!

The water temperature is 28°C on a yearly average and visibility is often as high as 50 meters.

The Nautilus One Liveaboard’s crew is eager to bring you to the best scuba diving spots of the Maldives, home to myriads of colorful reef fish, tortoises, skates, schools of fish, sharks, mantas, whale sharks and many other interesting forms of life.

***Click here to reserve the Nautilus One Liveaboard for your next Maldives Scuba Trip!***

Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Trips Service

The Nautilus One Liveaboard features a HiFi stereo system with CD player so that guests can enjoy music after their scuba dives. If you’re eager to check out your newly taped footage, then do so with the Nautilus One Liveaboard‘s TV/VCR system. The Nautilus One Liveaboard also has a rechargeable battery station available 24 hours per day.

***Click here to reserve the Nautilus One Liveaboard for your next Maldives Scuba Trip!***

Nautilus One Liveaboard Scuba Trips Dining

Breakfast, lunch and dinner during your scuba trip are served in the Nautilus One Liveaboard’s cozy salon. Meals are always freshly prepared and feature a fusion of European and Asian cuisine. Enjoy everything from a cold beer, delicious cocktail  to soft drinks at the bar.  The “Nautilus Coffee Shop” offers freshly squeezed fruit juices, milkshakes and sandwiches (not included in the package price).

***Click here to reserve the Nautilus One Liveaboard for your next Maldives Scuba Trip!***

Reserve your “Guaranteed Whale Shark and Manta Safari” on the Black Pearl Liveaboard now!

The capital of Maldives, Male, and the airport at the Hulhulule Island, we meet and greet you at and do the Air Taxi (hydro plans) check-in which will fly over the pearls of Maldives to Black Pearl at BAA atoll.

Join us to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity to snorkel and dive with these gentle giants of the sea.

South of BAA atoll is known as the only breeding ground for these giants in the Maldives and home to to this mysterious wonder of nature.

Reserve your “Guaranteed Whale Shark and Manta Safari” on the Black Pearl Liveaboard now!

Known as fehurihi to the local fisherman these giant sharks can exceed 40 feet in length.They migrate to this area of Maldives to feed on the abundant plankton.

Since plankton thrives near the surface of the sea, whale sharks glide along with their dorsal and tail fin out of the water as they take in as much plankton food as they can possibly can. An incredible sight to behold in the pristine waters around Maldives, divers and snorkelers are treated to a thrilling experience.

BLACK PEARL will take you to the right place at the right time to begin searching for the world biggest fish. Black Pearl guarantees you whale shark or manta ray. Black Pearl offer 15 divers for a week, 2 or 3 snorkeling with the whale shark, also Black Pearl will take you to the best dive spots around BAA atoll.

On a 7 days cruise if you don’t see a whale shark or manta ray Black Pearl assures a refund of US$ 300.00 per client onboard.

Reserve your “Guaranteed Whale Shark and Manta Safari” on the Black Pearl Liveaboard now!

Maldives Liveaboard Scuba Safaris from EUR 750!

Looking to experience a once-in-a-lifetime scuba diving liveaboard safari? Now is the time. There are some amazing travel offers in place at the moment, where you get to go on as many as 17 dives in just one week, while cruising around in absolute luxury and in one of the most amazing environments on earth.

Seasoned scuba divers will tell you that one of the top diving destinations in the world is the Maldives. It is also one of the favourite holiday spots among non-scuba divers around the world, favoured as a honeymoon destination and simply as one of those places where you can “get away from it all”.

Top liveaboard scuba safari provider, Maldives Dive Travel, is currently offering a wide variety of liveaboard holidays at unbeatable prices. Their variety of liveaboard ships is excellent, with something for every taste and budget.

Probably the most popular and well-known liveaboard safari ship, MS Stingray, is a nine-cabin, 101-feet ship with all the amenities necessary for total comfort and superb scuba diving. A 12-night all-inclusive cruise is currently being offered at USD 1,026.

Stingray Liveaboard in the Maldives

New to the Maldives for 2009, liveaboard Theia is by far the most luxurious safari ship in the Maldives. It is an extremely spacious ship accommodating up to 18 guests through 8 cabins. The boat exudes a very modern, Asian-influenced style and has everything you need for a top-notch holiday in paradise. A 12-night stay aboard Theia starts from just USD 1,400 all-inclusive.

Theia Liveaboard Cabin, Maldives

For a more basic and consequently economical liveaboard adventure, the Pretty Tombilli is a great option and is perfect for people who are more interested in scuba diving than living the high-life. Of course, you still have everything you need, just none of the extras. At 82-feet, this liveaboard is also smaller and so it can sail easily into shallower waters, allowing guests to get up close and personal with some of the Maldives’ most intimate natural spots. The Pretty Tombilli is an absolute bargain – 6 nights, all-inclusive start from just EUR 750!

Nautilus One Sundeck

Nautilus One and Nautilus Two are another two ships with several years of combined experience and hundreds of satisfied customers from around the world. English and German are equally spoken on both boats and the experienced crew goes out of its way to ensure all guests have a fantastic time. Nautilus Two is the larger of the two ships, with 12 cabins, whereas Nautilus One has only 7 and thus offers a more intimate adventure and the price reflects this: A 6-night safari on Nautilus One starts from USD 1,170 whereas Nautilus Two’s cruises start at just USD 828 for 6 nights, all-inclusive.

Nautilus Two Maldives Liveaboard

Another of the country’s most luxurious liveaboard boats is the Island Safari 2 Royal. The ship’s sleek, white exterior appears like a private mega-yacht, so guests aboard Island Safari 2 Royal should feel like mega-yacht owners, all at a very reasonable price. Week-long safaris go for USD 1,680, making this one of the Maldives’ higher-end safari ships, but the on-board comfort and spaciousness is really something special, making it worth every penny.

Island Safari 2 Royal Maldives Liveaboard

Dream Catcher II is another of Maldives Dive Travel’s most luxurious liveaboard boats, with 7-night cruises from USD 1,708. They also offer 4-night safaris (USD 1,240), the ideal option for travellers looking to combine the excitement of a liveaboard safari with a stay in one of the Maldives’ great private island resorts. Dream Catcher II definitely has one of the most exquisitely-decorated interiors of all the ships.

Dream Catcher II Maldives Liveaboard

Adventurer 2 offers a unique combination of traditional Maldivian style with comfort and luxury. A spacious boat, Adventurer 2 comfortably carries up to 12 guests through 8 cabins, all of which have en-suite, hot water bathrooms. Currently, 7-night safaris are being offered for USD 1,407 per person on an all-inclusive basis.

Now is a great time to visit the Maldives and take advantage of these special liveaboard safari deals, as prices increase around December when the high-season begins. Until then, the diving is still excellent, there are just less people and better prices.

All of the liveaboard ships mentioned in this article are operated by scuba diving experts who know all about the Maldives and where to find the best scuba diving depending on the season in which you visit. They will do their best to ensure you see the most amazing marine life and that you receive everything you need to have a great holiday. They are also trained in safety procedures and their number one priority is to keep you safe while you are diving in the Maldives.

All-Inclusive Liveaboard Packages

Note that the all-inclusive liveaboard packages mentioned in this article generally include all dives, transfers from Male Airport to the boat, three meals and snacks a day and non-alcoholic beverages. Scuba diving equipment is not included but can easily be hired in the Maldives. Some of the boats also include ENOS (Electronic Rescue and Locating Systems), dive insurance, and other activities like snorkelling and fishing. You should check exactly what is included with the operator before booking.

Diving in the Maldives: Paradise Underwater

The Maldives is known for its amazing scenery and breathtaking safari trips but the real beauty of it lies deep in the ocean where colourful coral reefs and varied aquatic species are waiting for your eyes to see. Scuba diving in the Maldives is so mesmerizing you will want to see more and more and more!

Maldives Diving from a Safari Ship

Handy Cruise Maldives Liveaboard

For the best Maldives diving experience, you should consider taking a trip on a Maldives liveaboard.  This way, you get to explore much more of the Maldives than you would if you stay at a resort.  The safari ship, or liveaboard, will take you to the country’s best dive spots and you will be equipped with the proper diving gear if you don’t already have your own. As soon as you see the turquoise ocean from the ship, the only thing you will want to do is jump right in and start exploring!  If it is your first time scuba diving, or you don’t have very much experience, the diving instructors and dive masters will guide you so there is nothing to be worried about at all.

What will you see when diving in the Maldives?

So what exactly will you see underwater while diving in the Maldives? Yes there are the gorgeous and mind-blowing reefs as well as the one-of-a-kind fish life that you rarely see around other islands. They all move in such a harmonious fashion it’s like watching a theatrical play! Groups of snappers, manta rays, surgeonfish, eel, barracuda and humpback wrasse are often seen guarding the reefs and that’s not it because the larger inhabitants like the sharks and occasionally the whale sharks can also be seen cruising around. Basically almost every breed of fish, from big to small, can be found here and they all have something to offer for your visual pleasure.

Maldives Diving Season

For a much better Maldives diving experience the ideal season would be from January to April. January to March is when the big creatures can be seen more often. August to November is also a good season to dive because you will most likely see manta rays. The wet season is from May to July. Maldives Dive Travel has the best liveaboards that can add more thrill to your aquatic adventure. Every ship they offer has the necessary equipments and all you have to do is enjoy! 

To get the best deals on all liveaboard holidays in the Maldives, reserve your Maldives Dive Travel holiday now!

More about the Maldives

The Maldives is indeed a very beautiful country both inside and out.  In fact, it is synonymous to paradise. If you have traveled through its deep waters then you have every right to say that you experienced heaven on earth. You just have to see it in order to believe it. Those who have already been diving in the Maldives usually have the same thing to say when they finish their trip… it was absolutely breathless! Diving in the Maldives is an ideal holiday for those who want to get away from the crutches of work for a while and want to do something that is both physically and mentally satisfying!

Diving started early in the morning with wake up at 5:30. We jumped shortly after the sunrise to Rasdhoo Madivaru.

Unfortunately the dive ended without seeing a single hammer head, despite this, in general the diving and underwater encounters for this week were outstanding.

(Rhinomuraena Quaesita)

After coming back to Hulhumale’ all the divers went off to Male’ the capital city visit for about 2 hours and returned back to Sting Ray for dinner.
The check out was at 08:30 on Sunday morning. All the divers left Sting Ray and Maldives with promise to return back soon.

This season diving was outstanding in both the quality of dives and the underwater encounters. Whale sharks, Mantas, Gray Reef Shark were commonly seen while the small species like Frog fish, nudis, leaf fish and others were also seen on regular basis from Dega Thila and other sites.

Diving began this morning at Makaru Thila also called Hafza Thila. It’s been few weeks that Makaru Thila remained very quiet but today was packed with action. We saw Gray reef sharks a bit away from the Thila just circling back and forth while tunas were chasing Fusiliers at mega speed.

The second turned out to be a productive dive at Bathalaa Maaga Kan Thila in terms of fish life. The stronger out-going currents brought more gray reef sharks, white tips and other large pelagic.

Gray Reef Shark

We moved to Rasdhoo atoll for the third dive and did Rasdhoo Madivaru. Here the current was mild, and gave us the chance to dive under very relaxed condition while exploring the caves at the ocean side all the way to the tip of the extended bridge, and inside the sand dune area and finished off at the coral bummies inside the channel.

Tomorrow morning early morning hammer head dive will be the last dive of the trip and will be heading back to Hulhumale’.

This morning at Kandooma Thila the current was running in at medium to strong, so we decided to begin the dive from Cocoa Corner and cross the channel and finish the dive at Kandooma Thila.

We jumped to Cocoa Corner and once all the divers were underwater we began to swim towards the corner and by facing the current we swam all the way to the middle of the channel and drifted inside the channel and finally ended at the Thila.

Many Gray Reef sharks were lingering at the channel entrance, while a few white tips congregated near the Thila and a school of eagle rays were also among the highlights.

Eagle Rays

The second dive we did at southern Ari atoll, Omadhoo Thila, with almost no current. This was not good for a big fish dive, but it was a rather relaxing dive with heaps of small fish instead.

The third dive was to 5 Rocks where the current was very strong, but all the divers managed to make a quick descent and get the protection of the reef. We saw a few white tips from the up current including dog tooth tunas and tons of fusiliers. After some time we drifted into the tiny channel and swam through it all until the shadow.

The visibility was poor in both the atolls but the dives turned out to very enjoyable. The weather is great with calm seas and the temperature remains at a sunny 30 degrees Celsius.

Tomorrow is a big day because we are going for a whale shark search after the first dive. For today our final anchorage is Dhangethi lagoon, and after the dive some of the divers went off to the island for an excursion.

Sting Ray embarks with 15 divers today on their last cruise for this season. The divers this week are British, French, German, Japanese and Singaporeans.

Having collected all the guests by mid day we headed to south Male’ atoll Guriadhoo Region and the orientation dive was made at Villivaru Giri.

The plan for this week is to move to south Ari atoll tomorrow after the first dive then to north Ari atoll and to finish it at Rasdhoo atoll.

Will keep all the reader updated on Sting Ray’s encounters and other activities as the week progresses.

Day 3 after over night at Guraidhoo diving started from:

Dive 1: Cocoa Corner
Channel crossed to southern Ari atoll
Dive 2: Omadhu Thila
Dive 3: Kahanbu Thila.
Highlights of the day: Gary Reef Sharks, Napoleons, Eagle Ray.

Day 4
Dive 1: 5 Rocks
Dive 2: Ari Beach Beyru
Dive 3: Thinfushi Ethere Thila
Highlights of the day: Whale Shark at Ari Beach Beyru.

Day 5

Dive 1: Kuda Rah Thila (Protected Marine Area)
Dive2: Rangali Madivaru Manta Point
Dive 3: Raidhigaa Thila
Highlight of the day: Kuda Rah Thila was fantastic as usual and was full of fish probably ranked as the best of this week. 3 Mantas at Manta Point an excellent dive.

Day 6

Dive 1: Dega Thila
Dive 2: Dhonkalo Thila
Dive 3: Maaya Thila Night Dive
Highlight: Unfortunately no mantas at Dhonkalo Thila but we had a great night dive – an all included fish life package.

Day 6

Dive 1 and the last of the week was Makaru Thila also called as Hafsa Thila.
Highlights of the day were Gray reef sharks, white tip, tunas and jacks.

After a productive week of diving all the guests checked out and departed on morning of the 21st. Overall this was a great week of diving especially because of the manta rays and the whale shark. After accomplishing an outstanding season of diving, the Black Pearl ends the season on a high note.