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Dive Review of Maldives liveaboards/Baani Explorer in
Maldives

Maldives liveaboards/Baani Explorer, Jan, 2007,

by Jane Goble, SC, USA . Report 3470.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments This was such a great experience for the two of us that we are going back for another one week liveaboard (Baani Adventure) in January 2008 plus we are staying at an island resort for an additional week. The whole operation was so professional yet personal at the same time. Cabins were spacious and very clean as were the ensuite bathrooms. Food was plentiful and good (not gourmet but that's not why we're here). Gear is kept on separate boat (dhoni) where tanks are filled in place so your gear is never removed - and it pulls away from the main ship so you never hear compressors. The crew are very friendly and handle cameras and gear with "respect". Guests are mainly Europeans and experienced so we had lots of freedom to dive our plans. Diving was exceptional despite below average visibility. Sharks on every dive, schools of every description and more critters than I could record in my log. I gave up and just enjoyed the show. Huge fans on beautiful walls and great seamounts for viewing the underwater drama. Wrecks and interesting swim throughs.
The crew and divemasters were informative and gave great site descriptions as well as being personable which helped set the tone for the week. Maybe we were just lucky but we met a great and diverse group of people as well as fine divers and one can't ask for more than that.
Take advantage of the day rates at the one hotel on the airport island and laze around the pool if you need to kill time before boarding your flight home. You can see most of Male in an afternoon. It is interesting for Westerners to see locals going about their business but please, ladies, dress modestly.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Micronesia, PNG, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Hawaii, Red Sea, Cozumel, Caribbean
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, choppy, currents, noCurrents
Water Temp 0-0°F / -18--18°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 40-80 Ft/ 12-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 130 depth
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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