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Scuba Diving Maldives Aggressor II Liveaboard with Dan’s Dive Shop

Scuba Diving Maldives Aggressor II Liveaboard with Dan’s Dive Shop – a Once in a Lifetime Trip

The Maldives has become one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Dan’s Dive Shop has charted the entire Maldives Agressor II Yacht and is excited to share this amazing destination with our divers! On this trip divers will spend 7 nights aboard a luxury yacht exploring underwater the beautiful and famous Maldive Atolls of the Indian Ocean.

Mantas and whale sharks are year-round residents in Maldives. These gentle giants are among the most spectacular marine animals in the world; they are truly remarkable animals to see. The marine life in the Maldives is incredibly diverse and the remoteness of these beautiful atolls allows healthy coral and marine ecosystem to flourish.

In the Maldives, you’ll find crystal clear waters and an abundance of coral reefs, making it a paradise for scuba diving. Save $200 off the regular rates with Dans Dive Dive Shop!

About the Trip

This trip includes 7 nights board a 135ft luxury yacht, all meals and up to 18 dives. The Maldives Aggressor II has eleven spacious staterooms each with a private bathroom and shower. The yacht has a spacious salon, sundeck, chaise lounges, deck chairs, bar, and grill. There are plenty of areas to relax between dives. All diving is done from a smaller dive boat the accompanies the yacht.

Aggressor Liveaboard’s are famed for their 5 star dining. The menu onboard is varied and plentiful, with a variety of American feasts, barbecues and local cuisine. All meals, snacks and beverages are include in the trip price. The Aggressor’s beverage selection includes fruit juices, soft drinks, iced water, iced tea, coffee, and a limited selection of local beer and wine, which are complimentary. See a sample menu here.

Trip price also includes a walking tour of Male on your last day and souvenir DDS trip shirt!

Staterooms

Twin Staterooms are a comfortable stateroom with two twin beds. Private head and shower, porthole windows individual climate control, monitor with media player and hair dryer. Rm Size: 14′ 7″ x 12′ 7″

Deluxe Staterooms: Stateroom 8 and 9 have two twin beds with the option to create a king bed. Stateroom 10 and 11 have a queen bed (for couples only) Staterooms have a private head and shower and picture window. All with individual climate control, monitor with media player and hair dryer. Rm Size: 14′ 4″ x 10′ 5″

Getting There

For this trip you will flight directly to the capital city, Male. Velana International Airport (MLE). Airfare is available to book starting December 2023. It is recommended you arrive at least one day early for your trip. Aggressor recommended hotels can be found here. On your boarding and departure days, Aggressor Liveaboards includes transfer from the airport in a water taxi to the lagoon the yacht is docked at.

Why Aggressor Adventures?

Dan’s Dive Shop choose Aggressor Adventures for this trip because they are one of the most renowned and reputable scuba liveaboard companies in the world. In operation since 1984, the mission of Aggressor Adventures is to master the art of adventure and provide divers the highest quality, most innovative and safest experiences possible.

Average of up to 18 dives with 3-4 dives per day including night dives.

Water temperature up to 80 -86F. 3mm wetsuit recommended.

Visibility 100ft +

Minimum Advanced Certified with 25 logged dives.

Nitrox is available on board and highly recommended. 7 days Nitrox is $100USD

Maldives is prone to currents depending on the weather. Diving is adjusted to deal with currents but divers must be comfortable drift diving if needed.

Dive computers and SMB’s are mandatory for each diver.

Law in the Maldives limits max depth to 30m/ 98 feet. The Maldives Aggressor II supports and follows the local regulations. 

All dives are from the Dhoni, a spacious and fully equipped 60 ft, 28 passenger dive Dhoni (Skiff).

All dives are conducted from a spacious and fully equipped 60 ft, 28 passenger dive Dhoni (Skiff).

Every diver will have their own seat and basket to store their diving gear for the entire trip. The system leaves the main boat free to handle accommodations, meals and social activities in a quiet atmosphere.

During diving the Dhoni will not anchor but will follow the divers from the surface. This is the safest and most comfortable way to dive in the Maldives due to the wind and current.

On board there is 80 cubic ft tanks, weight belts and weights. All tanks have K-valves (American type); with DIN (European) adaptors.

 

You’ve chosen a liveaboard vacation for the diving freedom that it offers. While in the water, you and your buddy are in charge. Every dive starts with a dive briefing from the yacht staff. However, as a certified diver, you and your buddy are responsible for planning and conducting your own dives within the limitations set forth by the briefing. The staff will be on the dive deck providing surface support for divers. They will also have staff in the water offering support, u/w photography and videography, and critter spotting services as well. On some dive sites a staff member will offer to lead a group and assist them in locating specific points of interest. However, the yacht does not offer direct supervision of dives.

Please note: Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and sites visited are subject to change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather and logistics, and is at the Captain’s discretion.

MALE ATOLL

Lankan Beyru (Manta Point) – The main attraction of the site are manta rays coming to the cleaning station during the southwest monsoon. The dive site is relatively easy to access, with small currents and is very often considered as a good dive to start the week. The cleaning station itself is a large coral block covered with anemones and full of fish life. It is also very common to come across whitetip reef sharks, turtles and napoleons.

Rasfari Corner – Large and shallow plateaus (10 – 20 ft) on the west side of the atoll, right next to the wide lagoon of Rasfari. It is covered with hard corals and hosts a cleaning station during the northeast monsoon. The most common way to do the dive here is to start on top of the reef, which is protected from the currents and after spending some time with the mantas continue the dive towards the wall that drops down to about 75 feet. The wall is nicely covered with hard corals, rich with fish life and popular with turtles.

 

SOUTH MALE ATOLL

Kandooma Thila – Definitely number one in the ranking of the best dive sites in South Male atoll. Long thila, located in the middle of the channel, offers spectacular conditions to observe grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, big schools of jacks and snappers both with incoming and outgoing current. North side of the pinnacle is nicely covered with soft corals with the top of the reef being home to many reef fish and green turtles. This area can have lots of current.

Rasdhoo Madivaru – Channel dive between Rasdhoo island and Madivaru offering a spectacular ridge facing the ocean to observe grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays and large dogtooth tunas. More pelagics are visible during strong incoming currents, the use of current hooks is advisable. The ridge dropping down to 150 feet on the outside, expands to a sandy bottom inside the channel where it is common to see stingrays.

If dived during the first rays of the sun, with incoming current and a bit of luck it is possible to encounter hammerhead sharks. In this case the dive starts in the blue. Depending on the air consumption guests will dive on the ridge and then drift into the channel.

NORTH ARI ATOLL

Maaya Thila – The thila (a pinnacle) is about 240 ft wide in diameter and is considered one of the best night dives in the Maldives. Top reef at 15 feet makes it easy to access even with current. The upcurrent side is always very active and busy with fusiliers and snappers. Big jack fish, whitetip reef sharks, stingrays and moray eels can be spotted easily. Some overhangs around the thila provide shelter for turtles. Even though it has a reputation for a night dive it is also quite popular during the day. A few separated coral blocks south of the thila create a tunnel and are full of beautiful coral bushes. With the right current this is a place to spot grey reef sharks. Due to its exposure to the currents it offers rich presence of fauna and flora. Big schools of jacks and fusiliers on the upcurrent side as well as difficult to count amount of blue striped snappers hiding from strong currents inside the overhangs all around the thila are the highlights of the place. It is also popular with grey reef sharks, schools of barracudas and dogtooth tunas in the blue as well as turtles and moray eels on the top reef. With strong currents negative entry is recommended and current hooks should be ready to use.

Bathalaamaagaa Kanthila – Long coral ridge in the middle of a channel, extended from the outer reef and sloping gradually down to 25 meters and deeper offering good conditions for observing grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays and napoleons as well as schools of jacks and fusiliers. The dive site is active during both incoming and outgoing currents but might be more challenging during outgoing currents of northeast monsoon. Negative entry required and divers are recommended to hide below the depth of the top reef to protect from the current. Current hooks strongly recommended.

SOUTH ARI ATOLL

Moofushi Kandu (Manta Point) – Drift dive with a chance to see manta rays hovering over the cleaning stations at a depth of around 40-75 feet. If mantas are spotted it is recommended to use current hooks and stay around the cleaning station for a longer time. The dive site is quite popular during the northeast monsoon. Whitetip reef sharks are common visitors around the deeper part of the cleaning station with blue striped snappers and fusiliers being permanent residents.

Kudarah Thila – The thila is a part of the Marine Protected Area and is often considered the most beautiful site of the atoll with exceptional diving conditions. Overhangs rich in sea fans and the top reef nicely covered with healthy soft corals are the highlights. It is also known for big schools of blue striped and midnight snappers, fusiliers and jacks. It is worth it to have a dive light and look inside small caves where often you will find large grouper hiding.

Kudhimaa Wreck – The Kudhimaa Wreck is a 150 feet long cargo ship lying on a sandy bottom at around 90 feet. It was sunk in 1998 and already offers beautiful coral growth and a large variety of species living on it. Nurse sharks, batfish, stone fish, lion fish and moray eels are permanent residents and can be spotted around the wreck. There are a few entrances allowing to penetrate the cargo hall as well as the wheelhouse. The site is nicely protected from the current.

Maamigili Beyru (Whaleshark search) – Located on the southern tip of Ari atoll within the Marine Protected Area of South Ari atoll. Shallow and very easy dive which might turn into a very exciting one as it is known as the best location in the Maldives for spotting Whale Sharks. Whale Sharks can be seen cruising along the reef all year round. Once spotted from the surface, divers enter the water, go down and start swimming along with them.

VAAVU ATOLL

Miyaru Kandu – One of the channel dives that you don’t want to miss. With strong incoming current the list of possible encounters is impressive. Mainly grey reef sharks but also whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleons and tunas are quite common and with the visibility reaching 120 feet during the northeast monsoon it can be the highlight of the trip.

Alimatha House Reef – This is considered one of the best night dives in the Maldives. Every night there is a show performed by a big number of nurse sharks, stingrays and massive jacks. Definitely not to be missed.

Trip Itinerary: Best of the Maldives

Boarding: December 1, 2024 at 4pm Male, Maldives

Disembark: December 8, 2024 at 8am Male, Maldives

Price Twin Cabin $3130 USD per person or Deluxe Cabin $3280 USD. Suite Cabin $3980 USD (subject to availability). All cabins are double occupancy. DDS prices are $200 off the regular rate!

Price includes 7 nights accommodations, airport transfers to the yacht, all meals on board, all diving.

Not Included Local Fees, Taxes, Gratuities, Nitrox ($100USD) and Airfare

Local Fees & Taxes Each guest must pay a Port Fee of USD $340 plus a $270 fuel surcharge at the end of the charter when settling your bill. This fee includes the Green Tax, GST, park and other local usage fees. All items purchased on board are subject to a 22% Maldives tax.

Additional Details This trip is suitable for single divers or couples of all ages. All cabins are double occupancy. Single supplement is 65% of the full rate. Full scuba gear rentals available from Dan’s Dive Shop or onboard.

Trip Payments Booking $150 USD. March 1, 2024 $650 USD. June 1, 2024 $1000 USD. September 1, 2024 – Balance Due

Payment Plans Available Pay as little as $150 USD a month, based on Twin Suite over 21 equal payments. Payment plans available for monthly or quarterly payments. Ask for more details or to customize your options.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel by March 1, 2024 and only the $150 USD deposit per passenger cancelled is forfeited.

Cancel by June 1 and 25% of the charter rate per passenger cancelled is forfeited.

Cancel by September 1, 2024 and 45% of the rate per passenger cancelled is forfeited.

Cancel after September 1, 2024 and 100% of the rate per person is forfeited.

All payments (except the $150 USD) deposit are 100% transferrable to another passenger not already booked on the trip. If you need to cancel your spot we will do our best to fill it but insurance is strongly advised.

Travel Insurance is Strongly Advised to protect you and your trip investment. Instant quotes available online for DiveAssure Insurance (rates are USD). Contact Fawn for quote from Allianz offering Cancellation and Medical Plans.

Aggressor Adventure’s Storm Check Policy If the trip is interrupted as a result of a named tropical storm you will receive a credit voucher based on the number of days of diving missed in the form of a “StormCheck”. If the entire charter week is cancelled in advance due to a storm’s predicted path and landfall as forecasted, guests will automatically receive a “StormCheck” voucher for the total amount of their Aggressor charter. “StormCheck” vouchers allow guests to return to that destination within one year of the interrupted trip. Full details here.

For More Information about the trip you can also visit Aggressor Adventure’s Maldives Travel Guide

Questions or ready to book? Visit the shop or email fawn.messer@fcitravel.ca

Travel Arrangements by

Fawn Messer, Flight Centre Independent Travel Consultant

329 Welland Ave, St Catharines ON

Phone: 905-984-2160 or 1-800-268-DANS

Email: fawn.messer@fcitravel.ca

CPBC #2790 | TICO#50016384 | OPC#702971

dive-bonne-terre-mine-missouri-2017

Dive Bonne Terre Mine

Dive Bonne Terre Mine 

Dive Bonne Terre Mine with DDS this spring and dive into history and get ready for the 2017 dive season!  Imagine walking down into a mine filled with multiple trails, lined with enormous pillars supporting a rocky ceiling above, wooden stairs, an elevator shaft, abandoned carts and railroad lines…Now imagine it full of water from a 100 billion gallon underground lake, full of the largest thickest support pillars made of rock. Now imagine it 10 times larger than what you’re picturing. Now do you want to Dive Bonne Terre Mine?  If you’ve seen the movie Lord of the Rings descending into Bonne Terre mine is very reminiscent of the scene between Gandalf and the Fire Demon, except you shall be allowed to pass!

Join us from May 5-8, 2017 for adventure and excitement dive the incredible Bonne Terre Mine, the world’s largest underground lake! It’s a unique subterranean cavern-like diving experience that’s suitable for Open Water Divers right through to Advanced or Technical Divers.

This is NOT a Cave Diving Trip, but there are some swim-through’s and open water throughout the majority of the site.  Light can be seen through state of the art stadium lighting throughout the trails and the surface can be seen as well.

Cost: $560 USD includes 3 nights accommodation at the historic 1909 Depot, 5 guided dives, and welcome session.

This trip is filling up fast so grab one of the few remaining spots by this Friday. You won’t be disappointed!! Call the shop, come in or buy your spot today.  PS we will attempt to change our original graphic that has last years date on it.

1 Spot Available!

Check out a great video from one of our previous years: