Instant Reader Report
on Manthiri / [same] in
Maldives / [N/A] on
2003/09
by
Peter Belden , CA, USA
Report Number 031125140037741

 Cozumel, Maui, Grand Turk, Belize, Monterey San Diego and Channel Islands
California, La Paz, Curacao, Little Cayman, St. Kitts, Great Barrier Reef,
Zijuatenejo 

Dive Conditions

We did 4 dives a day and so the divemasters usually suggested particular
depths but this also corresponded to the most interesting sites underwater
anyway.    

Boat has a camera table and rinse tank.    

Overall Rating

This was our best trip yet and we’ve been on about 10 dive trips.  2
Whalesharks!!!!  Need I say more?  The crew actually spotted 8 different
whale sharks from the boat but we only saw two while in the water.  We
were approached by both on our safety stop and all of the whalesharks were
spotted on one of the 8 days.  There is one spot where they consistently
hang out.  Mantas were only an occasional fly by.  We didn’t see any manta
cleaning stations from the boat.  However we did dive for one day from the
Four Seasons on another part of the trip and there we spent 30 minutes
with 5 mantas.  Fantastic!  

Interestingly although there was still some coral damage from el nino, the
fish were very abundant.  Giant schools swarming around you and occasional
dog toothed tuna strafing by to hunt them.  There were also plenty of
places with beautiful coral.  White tip reef sharks were common and one
day we also saw a large grey shark.  Many turtles.  Dives had a great
diversity of topography and we also did some great night dives.  There
were some strong currents on the dives and one dive we did abort early due
to extreme current.  The food was extraordinary on the boat.  Home cooked
meals the whole time and plenty of it.  The boat is made for 12 divers and
12 crew but on our trip there were only 4 divers!  Visit the Manthiri
website for photos of the boat www.manthiri.com  The crew was very
friendly and even helped us with some minor gear repairs.  Nancy the
travel agent at Livewell Ventures who books the Manthiri was also great
and gave us a great Sri Lanka itinerary for 4 days before the diving – a
nice combination.  

One travel tip.  For the flight from Sri Lanka to the Maldives its worth
considering flying first class.  It’s only about $20 more but they give
you much better food, seats, etc. and you get to spend your layover in the
much nicer first class lounge which also has free food and free internet
access!  

The Maldives is a world-class destination and the Manthiri is an excellent
boat.  Eight days is a lot of diving but you’ll see more fish than you ever
thought possible.  Definitely a must see destination.   

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