First time to Maldives please help!

[Roy]

Hi
I am looking to travel to the Maldives in March this year. I have done lots of reading bought all the books but the info I get the more confused I become.
I have read the threads and forums and still there are contradictions or one persons advice is not that of another?
This is my first time and I don't want to make any mistakes and spend my holiday thinking 'if only I had gone there or done that'?
I am looking for a recomended all inclusive resort within reach of great diving. I will be diving from the shore and as I understand the Monsoon during March is in the North East (Girlfriend likes the sun while on holiday) can I be sure that the diving in the Southern areas of the Maldives will fulfil my diving requirements, Sharks, Mantas and the like?
I understand the plankton in the North during this period attracts Mantas and Whale Sharks but like I said it will be difficult to convince the missus to endure rain storms just so I get to dive with big fish. (She's a none diver) I have dived with many species of sharks and whales but never Mantas or Whale Sharks. I am not expecting to see Whale Sharks however I would like to give my self the best chance and be in the right location. I would also kick myself if I went to the Maldives and did not photograph a Manta!!!!

I hold the Master Scuba Diver rating and have dived, Indonesia (Bali, 2 visits), Vietnam, Thailand (Phucket and Krabi 2 visits), Red Sea (4th visit) I have always wanted to go to the Maldives so I am quite keen not to make mistakes.
I was wondering if the Ari Atoll region is worth a visit??

I would appreciate any advice or info you could offer me as I belive you guys are one of the best.
Many thanks for your time in advance.

[scuba_smithy]

Ok - in VERY simplistic terms

If you want mantas - you need access to sites on the WESTERN side of the Maldives between Nov to May and EASTERN side May to November

Not sure of the relevance of the north/south thing mind you. As for Island resorts - I've been to 3 of them - Meerufenfushi (eastern), Angaga (South Ari Atoll with access to the western side), Sun Island (South Ari Atoll with access to the western side). Best island by far was Angaga.

Sharks, Turtles etc are generally around most of the year but Mantas and Whalesharks follow the plankton blooms. There is a great Manta site near the Hilton in South Ari atoll - which I dived from both Angaga and Sun Island.

In Summary - South Ari Atoll Western Side has manta season from Nov to May. Swam with 6 of them last New Year - peak season within that season period is Feb/March - you should see some while you are there and MIGHT see a whaleshark if you are very lucky.

[Jules]

You really need to ensure that you go somewhere where your other non-diving half will be happy.

I have been to Filiteyo and Lily Beach and they were both lovely, slight preference for the latter though and we did see mantas.

Jules

[Steve Sub]

Roy,
I think you may have a slight misconception of the word "monsoon"! Check this out Monsoon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for a better understanding. Basically the north-east and south-west monsoons are the direction of the prevailing winds. In the Maldives, the north-east monsoon is the "dry" season, the south-west monsoon is the "wet" season. Having said that, you can get wet weather in the dry season and vice versa. The monsoons affect the whole of the Maldives not just the north-east or south-west.
Agree with scuba-smithy on the eastern side of he atolls for that time year, and would suggest looking for somewhere on the western side South Ari atoll, handy for Madivaru (mantas), Fish Head and Maaya Thila (best night dive ever!) dive sites.
HTH
Steve

[Adrian_K]

Roy,

We visited Kuredu (one of the more northern atolls) for our honeymoon in September.... living on the island was fantastic for a week (juvenile black tips reef sharks, ocotpus, honeycomb morays, puffers etc all found directly under the water hut we stayed in), but the Monsoon (Tony Backhurst) liveaboard was exceptional..... we were lucky enough to snorkel with 3 (yes 3) whale sharks at once on one day, and then the next dive with 40+ mantas + whale shark the next (photos on flickr Flickr: Photos from Adrian_and_Gill ). I guess we may never be that lucky again, but that area seems good in September!

Adrian