Scuba Diving in the Maldives

FAQs: Passport and Visa: A passport or travel document, valid at least up to the departure date, is required for entry. A 30-day tourist visa is given on arrival at the airport. It is essential that the name and initial on the ticket match those on the passport. Otherwise, you may not be permitted to travel. Maldives: An independent republic in the Indian Ocean.  Unspoiled and unsophisticated, it is the ideal choice for the sun-worshipper or active diver. It is not the place for those seeking nightlife. The airport is on one island and the capital Male', on another. The country is peaceful and politically stable. Time:  The Maldives is 5 hours ahead of GMT, 10 hours ahead of New York and 13 hours ahead of Los Angeles  Customs: Import of liquor, narcotics, pornographic literature or pictures, firearms, and idols of worship are strictly prohibited. Export of tortoise shell and coral is illegal. Weather The warm tropical climate results in relatively minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year. The hottest month on average is April and the coolest, December. The weather is determined largely by the monsoons. There is a significant variation in the monthly rainfall levels. February is the driest with January to April being relatively dry, May and October record the highest average monthly rainfall.  Maldives has two seasons, each defined by the direction of prevailing winds: the southwest lasting May to October and the northeast November to April. Of the two seasons, the southwest is much wetter. While nice weather is the norm, during the southwest season sunny days can be interspersed with rainy spells and occasionally gusting winds. The advantage however is copious plankton blooms, which attract the big animals, mantas and whale-sharks. The water is clearer on the western side of the atolls with the incoming current bringing a bounty of fish. Visibility is normally in 100 to 75 foot range but it decreases during rainy weather. Water temperature averages 82 - 85° F (28 - 30° C).   Health: The country is free from malaria, yellow or dengue fever or any other plague. Certificate of Inoculation is required only if arriving from endemic regions of the world. Dress: "Wisdom is modesty" says a bard of the Maldives. We recommend light cotton clothes. When visiting an inhabited island, shorts and T-shirts for men, and blouse or T-shirt and skirt or shorts that cover thighs for women, are minimum dress requirements in this 100% Muslim country. Drinks: We provide free of charge unlimited bottled water for drinking. Alcoholic and soft drinks are for sale. We could stock the brands of your choice if you will inform us in advance. Laundry: The crew will be happy to do your laundry as required. Safety Standards: Manthiri is equipped with a fire extinguisher system and smoke detectors in the cabins, the hallway, salons and the engine room which fully conforms to the safety standards laid down by Maldivian maritime laws. They carry 25 life jackets and a 17-foot fiberglass tender with an outboard besides the 54' dive dhoni which travels in tandem with the live-aboard.