Maldives Liveaboard, South Asia

NCRD'S Maldives Liveaboard Package has SOLD OUT, and trip registration is closed. If you would like to add your name to the waiting list for an off-chance that a confirmed participant may drop out, please email the Trip Leaders.

Have you ever been diving in a world-class destination from a liveaboard that had a Jacuzzi with a bar? Or an onboard massage therapist? Or with expert divemasters that each have over 12,000 dives in that location? Or in luxurious rooms which all have ensuite bathrooms? Well, now you can!

Join the Northern California Rainbow Divers (NCRD) for an amazing dive trip to the Maldives, May 3-12, 2010. You will have 9 days of incredible diving in warm waters with exotic small creatures and large pelagics. The Maldives is home to over 1,000 fish species. See spotted eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, giant manta rays, several species of sharks and possibly whale sharks, as we will be there during prime whale shark season.

Position of Maldives in South Asia

The Maldives is one of the world′s premier dive destinations, with a well established dive industry. Its 1,190 coral islands form an archipelago of 26 major atolls, stretching 820 kilometers north to south and 120 kilometers east to west. Of these, 202 islands are inhabited, and 87 are exclusive resort islands.

The Maldives is unique in the amount and diversity of reefs found in the open ocean. More than 1,000 fish species call the Maldives home, from small reef fish to large pelagics like spotted eagle rays, giant manta rays, sharks, and whale sharks. Much of the diving on the outer walls is drift diving. Many dive sites that attract large pelagic fish are in channels and gaps between islands where currents are the strongest. Where bommies occur, cleaning stations are common and are often good places to spot whale sharks or manta rays.

You will likely see Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, snappers, barracudas, jacks, trevallys, and sweetlips. In the channels, you can explore the caves, caverns and overhangs where soft corals proliferate, and there is an explosion of colorful sponges, invertebrates and gorgonian fans. There are also plenty of cleaning stations where cleaning wrasses and shrimps service the larger marine species. Inside the atoll lagoons you often find pinnacles of rock vaulting up almost to the surface. These formations bring water up from the ocean floor against their walls, feeding the sponges and soft corals that cling to its sides as well as creating an environment that supports many crustaceans and schools of resident fish.

Plus, there′s always the possibility of swimming with Mr. Big, the elusive Whale Shark!

Eagle Rays

Chevron Barracuda

Manta Ray

Whale Shark

Napoleon Wrasse

Diving Conditions

We will have 3-4 dives per day in visibility ranging from 65-135 feet, with water temperatures of 80-82^oF degrees. During some periods, there are plankton blooms which reduce visibility but increase the chance of seeing large plankton feeders like whale sharks and manta rays. If there is a ″season″ for whale sharks, it is July to November and April to mid-May.

Malé weather

The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round, resulting 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, with significant variation in the monthly rainfall levels. February is the driest with January to April being relatively dry. June and July record the highest average monthly rainfall. The southwest monsoon, or hulhangu, from May to September is the wet season. Rough seas and strong winds are most common in June and July. The northeast monsoon, or iruvai, falls between December to April. This is a period of clear skies, lower humidity and very little rain. The Maldives is in the equatorial belt, and therefore, severe storms and cyclones are extremely rare events.

Because of the abundant shallow reefs, the main boat must move between dive sites only during the day. The boat will move during surface intervals and meals to minimize dive delays.

All diving will be done from a 35-foot dhoani, maximizing space on the main boat for guests. The dhoani is outfitted with air and Nitrox compressors, SCUBA tanks and oxygen/first aid equipment.

Divers are encouraged to bring their own equipment although limited rental gear may be available onboard. Safety gear consisting of an air horn, safety sausage and mini-strobe are required in addition to the usual regulator, depth/pressure gauge, wetsuit, mask, fins, dive computer and buoyancy compensator. Two dive lights are required for night dives. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included in the liveaboard package, as is also optional use of 32% Nitrox breathing gas.

Photographers should plan to bring their own camera gear.

All levels of divers are welcome; however, we encourage those planning to go on this trip to accumulate at least 25 dives, preferably with experience in diving with current. Divers should feel confident that they can avoid damage to the reef when diving in current.

DAN insurance is required, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance is highly recommended. Participants are reminded that many travel insurance companies will cover pre-existing conditions only if a travel insurance policy is purchased within seven days of their initial deposit on the trip.

Unique in design and topped with an excellent service-oriented crew, M/V Orion is by far the most modern, luxurious and unique vessel in the seas around the Indian Ocean and Maldivian Atolls, appropriately termed a ″liveaboard spa″.

The boat can accommodate 22 passengers. Each guest room is finished with the luxury and ambience of a Maldivian luxury resort. Every room is comprised of double or twin beds, a mini-bar, plasma TV, electronic combination safe, as well as beautifully tiled bathrooms. All cabins have ensuite toilet and shower facilities, with 2 rooms and both suites having the added luxury of bathtubs. Please take a look at the ship's layout diagrams (PDF, 369KB) for more info.

M/V Orion

• Lower Deck: 1 junior suite, 6 double rooms, 2 single rooms
• Main Deck: reception counter, bar, souvenir shop, dining area, wheelhouse, 2 public toilets
• Upper Deck: poolside bar, large jacuzzi, spa/massage room,
  1 public toilet, master suite, 3 twin-share rooms
• Sun Deck: numerous sun loungers
• Separate Diving Dhoani: Fully equipped 35-foot diving dhoani complete with oxygen kits, 30 tanks and Nitrox
• Other Amenities: wireless internet, massage

Alex Bryant, a British PADI Instructor and SDI/TDI Instructor Trainer, has been diving the waters of Maldives for the past 14 years. His partner, Hassan Shareef, is a Maldivian PADI Instructor who has been teaching and leading divers in the Maldives for 14 years. Hassan has over 12,000 dives in the Maldives, and is regarded by many as the best guide in the Maldives.

Bath

Cabin

Cabin

Photos © LiveWell Ventures, Inc. Used with permission.

This entire liveaboard has been reserved for the Northern California Rainbow Divers for this 9-night adventure to provide the best experience for our members as possible. Book your spot now for you and a friend or partner to ensure that you can be part of the fun and adventure!

Discounted pricing is available for members of the Northern California Rainbow Divers club. If you′re not yet a member of this fun-loving club, you might consider joining to become eligible for our members-only trip discounts:

INCLUDED IN PRICE ABOVE: transfers to/from the boat from Malé airport or hotel, Nitrox fills, all meals and lodging while onboard, all non-alcoholic beverages except espresso/cappuccino, use of weights, weight belts and tanks. This package is inclusive of all fees; there will be no additional monies required for fuel surcharge, no port fees, no tourist taxes and no chamber fees.

NOT INCLUDED: round-trip international airfare from home to Malé, pre- or post-trip extensions, hotel accommodations in Malé, alcoholic beverages on the boat, espresso/cappuccino onboard, massages onboard, gratuities for boat crew and divemasters, any other dive gear other than above. Boutique items purchased onboard are at additional cost.

Please read the full price inclusions and exclusions on the What′s Included, What′s Not page.

An installment payment schedule is available as follows:

Payments may be made by check or via PayPal in U.S. dollars only. In accordance with club policy, all trip monies paid are non-refundable. All prices shown below are based on a cash-only discount for paying by check. Checks may be sent to 438 W. Grand Ave. #415, Oakland, CA. 94612

If you use PayPal, a non-refundable ~3% fee will be applied to your payment. You may send money by logging into your PayPal account and clicking the "Send Money" tab at the top of the page. Please remember to add 3% to your trip payments to cover the PayPal transaction fees. NCRD's payee email address (payment sent ″To″) should be specified as paypal@rainbowdivers.org

Rooms will be reserved in the order of deposits received. The first double occupancy to reserve will surely want to take advantage of the lower deck Junior Suite complete with its own tub and reading chaise!

When you are ready to sign up for this trip, please confirm availability by emailing the Trip Leaders, David Zippin and Joe Trapasso, at maldives@rainbowdivers.org

You are strongly encouraged to purchase separate trip insurance to cover unforeseen events that may result in interruption or cancellation of your vacation.

Because we plan specialized dive trips for small groups, Northern California Rainbow Divers (NCRD) trips are not refundable. If you discover that you are unable to attend our trip, you may try to find a replacement for yourself who is willing to buy your spot from you. Alternatively, if the trip sells out, the Trip Leader may be able to refer a possible replacement for you from the trip waiting list. If you must cancel, or think you might have to cancel, notify the Trip Leader as soon as possible to improve your chances of finding a replacement. NCRD strongly encourages trip participants to purchase trip insurance to minimize the risk of financial loss in the event of an unforeseen cancellation or trip cessation.

Northern California Rainbow Divers (CST 2092387-40) is registered with the State of California as an authorized California Seller of Travel. California Sellers of Travel are required by the State to hold trip funds in escrow or to deposit trip payments into a trust account until all vendors have been paid.

California Sellers of Travel may be participants in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund (TCRF). NCRD is a participant in the TCRF. In the event that you suffer a loss due to bankruptcy, cessation of operations, insolvency, or material failure of a registered Seller of Travel to provide the transportation or travel services contracted, you may be able to receive compensation from the Fund. Visit www.tcrcinfo.com for more information about the Fund, including how to make a claim.

NCRD makes every effort to contract travel services from reputable vendors. However, if these vendors are located outside of the United States and provide their services to you outside the U.S., they are not required to comply with the California Seller of Travel laws or to participate in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. If such a vendor ceases operations, you will not be entitled to file a claim with the TCRF. In this event, your claim would be directly with the vendor, and not with the TCRF or NCRD. You should evaluate the risks and possible consequences of vendor non-performance carefully before signing up for any trip outside the U.S. NCRD strongly encourages trip participants to purchase trip insurance if you are unwilling to accept these risks.

Questions?

Email the NCRD Maldives Trip Leaders, David Zippin and Joe Trapasso, at maldives@rainbowdivers.org.