Maldives with YAY Scuba

Maldives - Omadhoo

PACKAGE OVERVIEW

Time: Oct 4-Oct 12, 2024

Water temp: Low 80s (28C)
Air Temp: 82-86F (28-30C)
Visibility: Varies

Length: 7 nights / 8 days

Diving: 2-3 dives daily for a total of 12 dives and other activities. Nitrox is included for certified divers.

Accommodation: Dive Inn, Omadhoo. Includes all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Skill level: Intermediate to advanced divers (AOW preferred) due to currents.

Price: $1,995 per person in double occupancy

Payments: $500 deposit secures your seat, final payment is due on March 1, 2024.

Omadhoo is one of many inhabited islands of Alif Dhaal Atoll in the Maldives. The island is about 45 mi (73 km) away from Male airport and can be reached with a speed boat from the airport. The ride over to Omadhoo is about 90 minutes. Oriented from west to east, Omadhoo is extremely quiet and you will find the beach and ocean to yourself most of the time. The village takes up 2/3 of the island which is measured 3000ft (1km) long and 1000ft (300m) wide. Omadhoo has a very good tourist beach, and a long house reef, where you can see huge schools of fish, turtles, sharks, and stingrays.

Omadhoo Island is ideally located in South Ari Atoll, also known as the hot spot for swimming with whale sharks, the biggest fish in the ocean. This island is at one with nature, with an abundance of tropical trees, a thriving reef, and a lovely lagoon to swim in.

The reef surrounding the island is said to be “pure and innocent” with great live corals and amazing marine life. From the Bikini Beach, you can access the house reef but it is recommended to go a bit further out, where the coral becomes more dense and covers the entire ocean floor. With the great underwater visibility, you can spot many sea creatures, including sharks, rays, and turtles, as well as moray eels, lobsters, parrot fish, anemones, and clown fish.

Omadhoo Island contains a lush tropical jungle with lots of vegetation. More than half of the island is covered with tropical growth – breadfruit trees and coconut palms. You’ll find a rich abundance of banyan trees too. Omadhoo is home to birds and flying foxes and also curious herons. One of the most important things to do in Omadhoo is to simply embrace the culture and the slow-paced, peaceful atmosphere.

Relax, unwind, and reconnect with nature. Most of the Omadhoo residents make their livelihood from fishing, tourism, teaching, owning small shops and businesses, or by working in the island council. You can see locals fishing on the pier in the morning, women collecting coconuts in trolleys, going on brisk beach walks, and exercising on the beach. The streets wear a deserted look in the afternoon and you will find locals lazing in the hammock. Around the island, you will find a handful of mini-markets and cafes, the ferry port, a hospital, a post office, a mosque, a police station, diving schools as well as a school and a football field. Do bring some cash (USD) with you as there is no ATM on this island.

We are working with a local operator that generates maximum impact for the local economy. Unlike resorts that are often owned by foreign entities and siphon the profits out of the area and out of the country.

Omadhoo is one of many inhabited islands of Alif Dhaal Atoll in Maldives. The island is about 45 mi (73 km) away from Male airport and can be reached with a speed boat from the airport. The ride over is about 90 minutes. Oriented from west to east, Omadhoo is extremely quiet and you will find the beach and ocean to yourself most of the time. The village takes up 2/3 of the island that is measured 3000ft (1km) long and 1000ft (300m) wide. Omadhoo has a very good tourist beach, a long house reef, where you can see huge schools of fish, turtles, sharks, and stingrays.

The Diving

The trip includes 10 boat dives to renown dive spots such as: Omadhoo Thila, Five rocks, Kudarah Thila, Dhigurah / Maamigili whaleshark point, Lucky rocks Mahibadhoo manta point, Madivaru manta point, Moofushi Manta point and Fish Head

Complimentary Nitrox available, Nitrox courses available for those that need Nitrox training.

Itinerary:

Arrive Friday Oct 4 in Male, Maldives
Saturday - Transfer at 11:00 am to Omadhoo, 1 afternoon check out dive,
Sunday - 1 dive morning, 1 afternoon
Monday - 2 morning dives, 1 afternoon or 1 night dive
Tuesday - 2 morning dives, afternoon desert island trip
Wednesday - 2 morning dives, 1 afternoon or 1 night dive
Thursday - 2 morning dives, afternoon sunset cruise with fishing
Friday - Vaavu atoll nurse shark & wreck trip , BBQ gala dinner
Saturday - Departure to Male

Experience the best that the Ari Atoll can offer: Reef sharks, soft corals, manta rays, whale sharks, turtles etc. Note that in October, Manta Rays gather at Lucky Rocks (Mahibadhoo point), which is basically in front of the island, a shallow point of 9-10 meters, suitable for divers of different levels, and for snorkelling.

Mandatory Gear

Dive computer
Reef hook
DSMB

The Hotel

Scuba Inn has a private beach area and a garden in Omadhoo. Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant and 24-hour coffee corner. The air-conditioned rooms provide a garden view and come with a desk and free WiFi. At the guest house, every room has a safety deposit box and is fitted with a wardrobe. Rooms are complete with a private bathroom fitted with free toiletries, while some rooms also offer a seating area. The trip is all-inclusive, and all meals are served at the property.

Package includes

7 nights/8 days on the island. Roundtrip boat transfer from Male to Omadhoo, All meals, mineral water, coffee, tea, juices, sodas. 13 dives with options to add more afternoon and night dives at an upcharge.

Package does not include

Flight and airport taxes, destination airport is Male (MLE). Rental gear, instruction and retail charges. Crew gratuities (industry standard is between 10% and 15% of the price, per passenger). Trip insurance (recommended) & Dive Insurance (required).

Note that depending on flight arrival you may need to add an extra night in Male on your arrival date.

Please note that dive insurance is mandatory and trip insurance is highly recommended - Get your insurance here

Flights

If you are coming from Europe, one of the best flights we have found is British Airways from London Heathrow with a direct overnight flight to Male. If you are landing on the morning of October 5th you can take the boat same day to Omadhoo. However we would suggest that you stay an extra night in Male so that you are adequately rested.

If you are coming from the US, it is advised that you reserve a flight that lands on October 4th as the best flights from the US seem to land in the afternoon after the boats have departed for Omadhoo. There are many good hotels avaialble in Male for your overnight stay.

We strongly encourage trip insurance from either DiveAssure or DAN

Price

$1,990 per diver/double occupancy + 4% in card fees (includes PayPal)

$1,495 per non-diver/double occupancy +4% in card fees (includes PayPal). Includes all activities except diving.

Single supplement - $385

Please note that all trip payments are committed to the trip, and therefore, are non-refundable.

Please contact us for non-diver payments and single supplements.

MALDIVES