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Komandoo Maldives Island Resort

Jacuzzi Beach Villa (Komandoo Maldives Island resort)

Ocean Dancer (Peter Hughes)

Artists impression of the Maldives Aggressor (Aggressor Fleet)

Indian Ocean

THE MALDIVES

A thousand islands in the kingdom of the fishes

Anemone Fish (Sheila Pearce)

More than one thousand islands stretch over seven hundred kilometres, beginning southwest of Sri Lanka and ending just below the equator. From the air the islands appear like small green dots scattered across a vast, blue ocean. The tell-tale dark, deep blue water shading to turquoise and then to pale green excites the diver who recognizes the promise of underwater delights. Shallow reefs break the surface and palm-covered islands and islets reveal the line of an immense underwater mountain chain rising from 4000 metres to only 70 metres below sea-level. On this ridge the coral colonies thrived to such an extent that they formed the atolls now known to us as the Maldives.

The Maldives are swept by ocean currents which wash between the islands and bring copious nutrients to feed a rich variety of fish. Manta Rays, sharks, barracudas, Spotted Eagle Rays and other larger pelagic fish are found in good numbers in the Maldivian atolls, but delightful gobies, elegant and exotic Moorish Idols, colourful triggerfish and beautiful species of angelfish and butterflyfish occur in such large numbers that even seasoned divers will be refreshed and delighted by the abundance of life. Gatherings of up to a thousand anthias swarm against a background of Acropora corals. Beneath huge table corals Nurse Sharks slumber during the day, whilst Titan Triggerfish, those vigilant guardians of their nests, patrol ceaselessly in their quest to protect their territory. Large moray eels peep from their hiding places, ‘snarling’ at passing divers, whilst amongst the masses of coral small schools of the delightful black-spotted Oriental Sweetlips glide gently by. A little off the reef the eerie shapes of lean Grey Reef Sharks appear as they move closer to investigate these strangers in their world.

Undoubtedly the Maldive’s most famous inhabitants are the huge and impressive Manta Rays, which are more easily encountered here than almost anywhere else on Earth. These ‘alien’ creatures scoop up hundreds of gallons of water as they glide through the sea, their cephalic fins guiding plankton-filled water over sieve-like plates. It seems to be mostly when the feeding is over and the cephalic fins are in tell-tale relaxed mode that the curious Manta Rays may seek out lucky divers as a diversion. Each dark-backed creature has a unique arrangement of dark spots on its bright, white under surface, thus allowing different individuals to be identified. Manta Rays sometimes travel alone, but are more often encountered in small groups, occasionally performing a graceful ballet of back somersaults in the water. Unlike the Red Sea there is little soft coral in the Maldives and so it is hard coral that makes up most of the coral populations, with soft coral only occurring in patches. It is well worth checking under huge table corals, for these are a favourite resting place for turtles.

LHAVIYANI ATOLL

Lhaviyani (or Faadhipolhu) Atoll is almost square, being just over 37 kilometers wide and just under 37 kilometres long. There are many fantastic dive sites which offer a super variety of diving, from thrilling narrow channels to fabulous fringing reefs and even a couple of wrecks!

At Hinnavaru Outreef the wall plummets to over 800 metres. This spectacular wall is cut with caves and overhangs and is a great place to see Grey Reef Sharks, schools of colourful Rainbow Runners streaming down the reef and swirls of jacks. Take some time to explore the caves and overhangs on the way back up. There are some fascinating fish to be found here; look out for basslets and dottybacks that like to lurk near crevices and recesses in the reef.

There are a couple of wrecks next to each other at The Shipyard. One of the boats stands 6 metres above the water, with its rusting prow still standing erect. Once owned by the tuna canning factory on Felivaru, the boat caught fire and later sank. It now rests vertically against the reef, with the stern on the sandy seabed at 32 metres. There is good soft and hard coral growth and some pretty swarms of Anthias on the wreck. Just about a 60 metres swim to the southeast is the second wreck that lies intact at 30 metres depth. There can be some strong currents in this area.

There is a wide sandy channel between Felivaru and Gaaerifaru islands, and it is possible to cross this 200 metre channel while observing the large numbers of Grey and White tipped Reef Sharks that cruise the area. This is also a very good spot for tuna watching.

Komandoo House Reef has superb snorkelling and diving, though you don’t need to get wet to see the schools of juvenile Black-tipped Reef Sharks that cruise around the area. The coral is still in good shape, in spite of the 1998 ‘El Nino’ event that affected many reefs in the Maldives, and Bluefin Trevallies and silvery Giant Trevallies hunt baitfish, usually around the east side of the island. Search the sandy sea floor for shrimp and goby partnerships that offer endless entertainment value. Keep a look out for turtles, as these are often spotted here.

NORTH MALE, SOUTH MALE, FELIDHOO & ARI ATOLLS

Away from the tourist resorts and their day boats, Ocean Dancer and Maldives Aggressor can access completely unspoilt diving locations. Ocean Dancer cruises include North Male (Kaafu), South Male (Dhaalu), and Ari (Alifu) Atolls. Maldives Aggressor offers two itineraries: Itinerary I includes Male North and South Atolls plus Felidhoo (or Felidhe) Atoll; Itinerary II explores Ari Atoll. However, the choice of dive sites in the Maldives must take into consideration the local conditions: the weather, the tide and the current all determine which are the best places at any given time. In consequence the skills of the captain and dive masters are of paramount importance.

Rising from the atoll floor, and usually found in the middle of channels, are ‘thilas’ or submerged reefs which can be as shallow as 8-10 metres below the surface. Thilas make great dive sites as they are often small enough to swim around during one dive and have their own compact ecosystems, such as cavelets, overhangs, steep walls or cracks and crevices. Many are pinnacle formations.

Diving in North Male Atoll is characterized by a mixture of ‘thilas’ and channels. One such ‘thila’ dive that draws the larger fish such as Spotted Eagle Rays, Silvertip Sharks, barracudas and Grey Reef Sharks is Rasfari, close to the uninhabited island of the same name. Rainbow, on the southwest side of North Male Atoll, is inside the barrier reef. At 7 and 12 metres deep are two huge circular coral tables about 60 metres apart. Because the current is usually quite mild here, it is often possible to swim around both coral tables. The sea bed falls away sharply to 30 metres. The masses of black and green Acropora coral support a huge population of brilliant little anthias, their mass of moving orange coloration simply adding to the kaleidoscope of colour on the reef. Nurse Sharks slumber peacefully under the table corals and Blue Razorfish dart into their holes at the approach of the diver. It is always worth looking under such table corals for the beautiful but shy sweetlips that can hang there. The Maldives may have more Manta Points than any other diving destination, but that is because it has large numbers of Manta Rays. North Male Atoll has its own Manta Point. This is a Manta Ray cleaning station and these giants of the ocean sail in for a touch of beauty therapy and permit lucky divers to watch them as they hover above the corals allowing the wrasse to set about their task of making sure the mantas are cleaned of parasites and dead skin. Oriental Sweetlips and Napoleon Wrasse also hang out her for a session at the beauty salon.

South Male Atoll diving is characterised by some pretty strong and powerful currents, but equally by some pretty great diving and, of course by some pretty great fish! Drop on to Cocoa Thila when there is a reasonable current running through and you should find an impressively large school of jacks hunt around the reef. When the currents are strong, the elegant forms of Grey Reef Sharks can frequently be observed. A giant anemone provides a home for many Maldive Anemonefish. This beautiful orange-yellow fish with its bright white cheek stripes is known only from the Maldives. At this dive site it is possible to see the unusual spectacle of a group of almost white batfishes. Wait patiently at Vaagali Thila and you could be justly rewarded by stunning sightings of sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays or Manta Rays. Snappers, fusiliers and schooling fish are common here, along with crowds of batfish and snappers. Tucked in a reef basin is a good population of soft coral complete with a mass of reef fish. Here are numerous butterflyfish in fancy livery, impressive Sailfin Tangs and everyone’s favourite, the anemones and their anemonefish friends that always make superb subjects for the underwater photographer.

Felidhoo (or Felidhe) Atoll lies to the south of South Male Atoll and it is here that you can dive such wonderful sites as Fotteyo, known as a photographers’ paradise, where soft and hard coral overhangs shelter schools of handsome sweetlips. A variety of sharks pass through this dive site, but be wary of Titan Triggerfish which also regard this as their territory! Divers frequently request a return to this amazing dive site. At the southernmost tip of Felidhoo Atoll is Rakeedhoo Kandu, a deep channel between Felidhoo Atoll and Mulaku Atoll. Coral terraces line the walls of the channel, but rather than study the coral, divers are often distracted by the pelagic species which use this deep cut as a freeway between atolls. Ambara Thila is characterised by hundreds of gorgeous anemones and a good hard coral population. Elegant White-tip Reef Sharks are frequently found in this area. Currents can be strong at Mulaku Kandu, but when the currents are strong the large fish come in to feed, so it can be a great time to dive. Giant Trevally, White-tip and Black-tip Reef Sharks and turtles come here to feed. Keep an eye out for the steely-eyed Great Barracuda which lurk under the boat, or merely hover as they watch the weird behaviour of the divers.

Ari Atoll has some fabulous dive sites for experienced divers and beginners alike, and is considered by many to be the most beautiful atoll of all. Dotted throughout the area are thilas which offer some easier diving on shallow reef tops with excellent fish and coral life. Broken Rock, named because it looks as if it has been cleaved in two, has a deep gully filled with soft coral and reef fish. The sides of the gulley have many intricate holes and cracks which are home to a variety of invertebrates. Look out for crabs and shrimps hiding away. Blue-lined Snappers can form really big schools. Wriggle as close as you can and try some underwater ‘action art’ by waving your arms and legs to get the school to split and form fantastic shapes as the school pours over the reef. Tinfushi Thila starts at around 10 metres and drops to 40 metres. Caves and undercuts are home to some lovely sea fans that sparkle and flicker with life as the current picks up and brings in life-giving nutrients. Check out the corals for Longnose Hawkfish, tiny lobsters and crabs, then look out towards the blue for a glimpse of a Napoleon Wrasse or some Spotted Eagle Rays. Maybe the most famous dive in Ari Atoll is another Manta Point. This thila, or platform, rises from the bottom of a channel at 30 metres to around 16 metres. This is a dive for advanced divers as the area is subject to strong currents, but from December to April Manta Rays use this site as a feeding station. Photographers can forget their macro lenses and take those extra wide angle lenses with them! Maaya Thila is a small thila with remarkable fish life. The tip of the thila is only 6-8 metres at the shallowest and so makes for great night diving. At only 30 metres in diameter, one can swim right around Maaya Thila, but it is at the point where the current hits the thila that most of the activity occurs. Both hard and soft corals are found here, with Tubastria or orange cup coral ‘flowering’ in the current. Grey Reef and White-tipped Reef Sharks are common here, and batfish, Blue-striped Snappers, vibrant red soldierfish and Zebra Morays can also be found. For the photographer, the choice of lens can be anything from wide angle to macro depending on whether one is going to search the reef for subjects or point out into the blue. During the last two or three years the tropical, nutrient rich water in Ari Atoll has attracted a larger than usual number and frequency of Whale Shark sightings. Wouldn’t it be a great idea to visit them?

KOMANDOO MALDIVES ISLAND RESORT & PRODIVERS, LHAVIYANI ATOLL

Just over 100 kms from Male, the tiny jungle-covered island of Komandoo rests in clear blue water that shades from the palest turquoise to the deepest ultramarine. The island is just 500 metres by 100 metres and benefits from a sheltered position just inside Lhaviyani (or Faadhippolhu) Atoll. The channel opening into the atoll offers terrific diving, with Manta Rays, sharks and turtles passing through. The magnificent house reef, probably the finest in the entire Maldives, is an easy dive and a great place to snorkel too.

Wooden villas are built along the perimeter of the island, with a choice of Beach Villas or Jacuzzi Beach Villas. A number of luxurious individual over-water bungalows were built in 2005: the Jacuzzi Water Villas. All the villas are individually built of local wood and have air-conditioning, in-room safe, telephone, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities. Beach Villas have a large wooden terrace overlooking the ocean with sun loungers for those relaxing moments. The attractive and modern bathrooms are partly open air and have walk-in showers. Jacuzzi Beach Villas overlook the Indian Ocean and are built on the eastern beach. These villas have spacious bedrooms with a four poster bed and a sitting area. They each have a secluded garden area and a wooden deck with a jacuzzi, as well as the same facilities as the Beach Villas. The fabulous Jacuzzi Water Villas are built on stilts above the ocean. Each villa has a screened sundeck with steps reaching down to the water below. The partly shaded terrace has a double sun lounger and a day bed so you can enjoy fantastic views of the ocean or watch the fish life below the water. The very spacious, romantic bedroom has a four poster bed and a sitting area close to patio doors that open on to the veranda and reveal panoramic views.

The bar and restaurant are built in local Maldivian style with thatched roofs. The restaurant deck extends over the water and is a great place to dine under the stars. For a truly romantic evening, chef will prepare a special meal and serve dinner ‘a deux’ on the beach!

Watersports enthusiasts are well catered for here, with canoes and windsurfing equipment available as a complimentary service. There is a small gym and facilities for badminton, table tennis and volleyball.

The sophisticated Duniye Spa (‘World Spa’ in Dhivehi, the language of the Maldives) offers an exquisite range of treatments by Thai, Balinese and Indian therapists. Massage and complimentary therapies are offered by highly trained professionals.

ProDivers are a PADI 5* Centre and are well known for their professional and efficient diving management. With over 40 dive sites located within a 10-45 minutes boat ride there is a superb selection of top quality dive sites available. Dives are available every day and full day dive excursions are offered. House reef diving is available from four exit and entry points and from two jetties on either side of the island. Take a short walk along the jetty and you will find yourself right over the reef edge. Dive boats leave the island three times every day. There is no additional charge for Nitrox.

Transfer to the island is by boat and takes from 4-5 hours, or by air (40 minutes) for a supplementary charge. Children under 12 years of age are not allowed on the island.

Price: from about £94 per night without diving. Includes: airport transfers by boat; full-board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a twin/share basis in a Beach Villa at the Komandoo Maldives Island Resort. (From about £45 per night extra the resort will upgrade your package to the ‘all inclusive’ rate which includes afternoon tea/Nescafe and mineral water, soft drinks, red and white table wine, canned and draught beer, cider, canned fruit juices and a selection of spirits, which are all served by the glass.) Air transfers cost from about £180 extra. Various shore diving packages are available. For example, a 10 dive package costs from about £258, while 6 days of unlimited shore diving costs from about £301. Nitrox fills are available at no extra charge. Boat dives can be pre-booked for a supplement (over and above shore dive costs) of from about £8 per 1-tank boat dive or from about £12 per 2-tank boat dive. Deposit: £300.

Single Occupancy Supplement: from about £75 per night.

<strong?OCEAN DANCER

In late 2005 Peter Hughes Diving introduced a top-quality liveaboard option for the more demanding diver who wishes to discover the magic of the fish-filled, sun-dappled waters of the Maldives! Ocean Dancer has its own dhoni, a 17-metre custom-built tender boat from which all the diving takes place. This second vessel accompanies Ocean Dancer wherever it sails. Ocean Dancer’s dhoni has a very spacious dive deck with shade and carries all tanks, compressors and the Nitrox station along with camera tables and all other diving amenities.

A maximum of 16 guests can be accommodated in eight staterooms. Deluxe Staterooms have one queen or one double bed with a single bed adjacent. Master Staterooms have one double bed with a single bed above. All staterooms have a private bathroom, a port hole view and full air-conditioning with individual climate control. Each stateroom provides a quiet and elegant space for relaxing, reading or sleeping. Complimentary toiletries are placed at the wash basin and towelling robes are provided for your stay on the boat. It is the aim of the crew to offer superb service at all times, from morning coffee in your room to taking your tank from you at the end of your dive, and handing you a hot towel at the end of a night dive. A VCR is available for TV and video playback.

The dhoni provides a spacious camera table, complete with cleaning materials. A full video and camera rental service is available at daily or weekly rates. The boat has a photo pro on board who will assist you with your photography and also, if you wish, take a customized video of your diving holiday. Ocean Dancer offers full Nitrox facilities at an extra charge and a range of courses including PADI Advanced and Nitrox certifications as well as other PADI speciality courses.

After diving most people enjoy relaxing in or out of the shade and help themselves to iced drinks or delicious snacks. Freshly baked breads and biscuits will show up with regularity and appetizers will appear between dives in the afternoon. Beverages and snacks are available at all times. Meals are one of the highlights of the day. Hot breakfasts are cooked to order. Lunch can be a buffet-style spread and dinner is waiter served. Wine is served with dinner and is included in the price of your holiday. Other alcoholic drinks are available for purchase

Ocean Dancer operates out of Male for 7 or 10 nights cruises from November to April, commencing mostly on Sundays (some 10 nights cruises commence on Wednesdays).

Price: from about £1307 for a 7 nights cruise; from about £1891 for a 10 nights cruise. Includes: airport transfers; 7 or 10 nights cruise on Ocean Dancer on a twin/share basis with full board, including soft drinks and wine with dinner; 5 or 8 full days of diving (up to 3 dives daily, plus 2 night dives during the week), plus one or two dives on the last day. Reductions for divers 65 or over, non-divers and extra weeks. In addition, there is a tourism tax of about £30 for a 7 nights cruise or about £43 for a 10 nights cruise, a port charge of about £35, a recompression chamber support fee of about £8 and a fuel surcharge of about £86 for a 7 nights cruise or about £108 for a 10 nights cruise, all subject to change, which must be prepaid. Deposit: £500.

Single Occupancy Supplement: 65% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin).

MALDIVES AGGRESSOR

The new, 38-metre, purpose-built Maldives Aggressor carries a maximum of 20 divers in 10 air-conditioned Deluxe Staterooms, each of which has two single beds which can be arranged as one double if preferred. Each stateroom has a private head and shower, air-conditioning, and TV and DVD player. Ten crew members make sure that your diving holiday runs smoothly. The final boat layout was still being finalized as this brochure went to press but all the features that can be expected from a luxury liveaboard boat will be in place.

Due to the wind and currents that can be encountered in the Maldives, diving is carried out from the 9 metres long ‘diving dhoni’, which does not anchor in order to follow the divers for a surface pick-up. Your diving gear will stay on the dhoni for the duration of the trip, where you will also have your own seat for the duration of your stay. Diving gear will be loaded on the dhoni on the first day of diving and will be looked after by the crew for the duration of your stay.

Maldives Aggressor anchors in the waters close to Mahe International Airport and operates 7 nights cruises, departing every Sunday throughout the year. The boat returns to Male on Saturday afternoons and guests may snorkel or make a land visit to Male on Saturday afternoon. Maldives Aggressor offers two itineraries: Itinerary I includes Male North and South Atolls plus Felidhoo (or Felidhe) Atoll; Itinerary II explores Ari Atoll. Please contact our office for details of which itineraries are offered on which cruise dates.

Price: from about £1414. Includes: airport transfers; 7 nights cruise on Maldives Aggressor on a twin/share basis with full board (except dinner on the last night), including soft drinks and wine or beer with dinner; 5 full days of diving (up to 4 dives daily, plus 2 night dives during the week), plus one or two dives on the last day. Reductions for divers 65 or over, non-divers and extra weeks. A port fee of US$56 (subject to change) is not included in the package price and will be collected on board. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants. Deposit: £650.

Single Occupancy Supplement: 50% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin).

FLIGHTS: Prices from about £834 to Male. There are daily flight connections to Male. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on routing, season, current fare levels and booking class availability. Our quote will include all taxes and fuel supplements applicable at the time of quotation, as well as our service charge. The usual airfare deposit is £300.

COMBINATIONS: Why not combine a stay on a Maldives liveaboard with a visit to Komandoo Maldives Island Resort, either to continue diving, or simply relax, or both? Talk to us about the possibilities.

Porcupine Fish (Sheila Pearce)