Although many languages are spoken in the Maldives, "Dhivehi" is the common and ancestral tongue among the local folk (although English is spoken and taught in schools), and when diving in the Maldives, you will quickly learn about "kandus", "farus", "giris", and "thilas".

These are actually the local names for different types of underwater formations, and the diving in the Maldives is so different, so exotic, and so good, they justly earn these unusual descriptions.   For the uninitiated:

Kandus = Deep Channels between atolls and "islets" (1,192 in number, 200 inhabited) in the island nation of the Maldives.  Also very popular dive sites with steep walls and tons of marine life.

Farus =  Large, circular reef structures found within the 26 atolls of the Maldives. 

Giris =  Smaller reef structures found inside the atolls, but still of significant size

Thilas = Commonly  known in the rest of the diving world as pinnacles or seamounts, and teeming with fish and pelagic activity.

For the very best diving in the Maldives, you'll probably find Kandus and Thilas in your logbook.  Current, ranging from moderate to strong, also plays a major part in Maldives diving.  With all of the passes and islets, the water moves through the different areas at different speeds (oceanographers call these vertical and horizontal "compression currents").  The teeming marine life of the Maldives, perhaps the "fishiest" in the world, concentrates at the points where the current meets the points of the passes and seamounts.

The M/V Ocean Dancer, launched in late 2005, is one of the most luxurious live-aboards around, and while it is 115 feet in length (16 passengers in 8 deluxe cabins with gorgeous amenities and ensuite bath facilities), you'll feel like you're on a vessel twice its size. Why?  The diving in the Maldives is done from "dhonis", a separate dive vessel that accompanies the liveaboard.  You stow your gear on the dhoni, and tanks are filled on the dhoni.  Dhonis are not "tenders"… but real dive boats.  You can stand and walk around on them, and it's easy to enter and exit the water.  While this system is a bit unusual in the live-aboard world, once you try it, you'll find it's an exceptionally practical way to dive the Maldives.  

The Maldives are, literally, halfway around the world from the US, and so you might ask, "Is it worth the trip"?   If you're an experienced diver, familiar with current diving, the answer is a resounding "yes".  Blue water season in the Maldives (best visibility) is from November through late April, exactly when we schedule our charters.  Photo and video opportunities, u/w and topside, are spectacular. 

In addition to the incredible amount of small and large reef fish that appear to have no fear of visitors, you will also see whale sharks, mantas, sharks, dolphins, and other pelagics. The dive site "Mamigili" (on Ari Atoll) boasts the highest concentration of whale sharks in the Maldives, and several are spotted on nearly every cruise.

Ocean Dancer cruises the Maldives November through April of each year.  For last minute cruise info for this spring, or to book next year, please call or email.

Because of the unique combo of Ocean Dancer and her "Diving Dhoni", there's a  lot more space on the live-aboard for common areas, cabins, ensuite facilities, and the like. 

And one of the most popular features on Ocean Dancer is the Ocean Dancer Spa, where massages and other spa treatments are available while you're cruising.  Spa treatments incur an additional charge over your cruise price.

LAST MINUTE:  PNG: M/V FEBRINA SOUTH COAST Feb 20 - March 2, 2007

Save 15% on this cruise for a total savings of $ 525.  You pay only $ 2,975 (regularly $ 3,500, and get a unique opportunity to cruise the south coast of New Britain Island.

For more info (2 articles) on the exciting South Coast itineraries, please click:
http://www.peterhughes.com/star/Star_sampleitinerary.shtml   

SPRING 2007 SPECIALS: M/V KOMODO DANCER, Bali, Indonesia,  

March 12-19 (7 nights):   Book your own "mini-group" of 5 or more divers and save $ 1,000 for 5 divers, $ 200 more for each additional diver in your mini group!    

April 11-22, 2007 (11nights):   Want a longer trip on Komodo Dancer?  We've got the diving if you've got the time, plus you'll save $ 300 on this trip only, individual bookings accepted.
 
Indonesia is currently one of the hottest destinations in the diving world, with a fantastic mix of both macro and big marine life. Make your spring travel plans now and capitalize on these specials as well.  For more info on Komodo specials:
http://www.peterhughes.com/Specials.shtml
 

Scuba Diving Magazine recently reviewed three of our destinations in their most recent issues.   It's always great news that diving experts agree with our passengers reviews!

GRENADA: Keith Philips explores Grenada and The Grenadines Diving, the home of PHD's WIND DANCER, December, 2006
http://www.peterhughes.com/windg/windg_dancerindex.shtml

TOBAGO:  SD Magazine Editor Buck Butler describes Tobago "Everythings a little different down here…", January, 2007: http://www.peterhughes.com/wind/wind_dancerindex.shtml

GALAPAGOS: The world's most published u/w photographer, Steven Frink, on the Galapagos Islands:  "There may be no better place on earth to encounter rare and wondrous creatures", SCUBA DIVING Magazine trip report:
http://www.peterhughes.com/Sky/Sky_sampleitinerary.shtml

Writers and Photographers:  DEADLINE FOR STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE 2006/2007 PHOTO CONTEST IS FEBRUARY 15th, 2007.

Remember, writers AND photographers can both compete (with stories and photos on their best PHD Dive Experience) to win TWO GRAND PRIZES.

For more details on how to enter, please click to: 
www.peterhughesdiving.com/2006_photocontest.html  

While we see Orcas in PNG (there's a resident pod in the Bismarck Sea), we hadn't encountered them in the Maldives on the OCEAN DANCER .  Not only did we see them, but our partner David Mesnard was able to photograph them as well…  Pretty unusual, even for the Maldives. 

To see a larger version of  David's pic.

http://www.peterhughesdiving.com/maldives_orcas.html