Outside normal working hours, or in the unlikely event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone and we will call you back as soon as possible.
For guests travelling with Regaldive requiring urgent assistance, please refer to your travel notes for relevant contact information.
Outside normal working hours, or in the unlikely event we are unable to take your call, please leave a message on our answerphone and we will call you back as soon as possible.
For guests travelling with Regaldive requiring urgent assistance, please refer to your travel notes for relevant contact information.
Maradhoo Island offers a true diving getaway and an authentic Maldivian experience that is very different to mainstream Maldives resorts. Located in the beautiful and sheltered Addu Atoll at the very southern tip of the Maldives, a holiday on this ‘local’ island is all about diving virgin and untouched sites and experiencing the Maldives as the Maldivian people do.
Accommodation
Regaldive guests are accommodated at Aquaventure Manta Lodge (Stellar). This 2-star lodge commands an excellent location and provides access to the Atolls biggest attractions.
There are eight air-conditioned rooms spread over two floors. Twin and double rooms are available and all have en-suite facilities, TV and private kitchen and living area. There is also a garden with seating area. Aquaventure Manta Lodge is ten minutes' walking distance to the dive centre and ten minutes’ walk to the restaurant. This accommodation is ideal for groups.
Aquaventure Manta Lodge provides daily housekeeping, private check in / check out, taxi service, luggage storage, bicycle rental, free Wi-Fi in public areas to ensure our guests the greatest comfort.
Other Facilities
The full board package (breakfast, lunch and dinner with Western, Oriental and Eastern cuisine) is organized with a local restaurant Palm Village and offers a great chance to taste the local delicacies. Unlimited mineral water is included in the full board package.
There are a few supermarkets in the village where you can buy groceries, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcohol is available at the bars of a couple of small resorts on the other islands.
The remote location of Maradhoo Island means that diving is the focus of any holiday here.
Location
Maradhoo Island is about 1.5km by 0.5km large, and home to 3,000 Addu citizens. The island is linked by causeways to other islands on the west of the atoll including Feydhoo and Gan. Maradhoo Island is a ten minute transfer by car from Gan International Airport.
Dive info
Maradhoo Island is located on the western side of Addu Atoll, also known as Seenu Atoll, which is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Lying just south of the equator, the natural heart shape of this remote atoll affords protection from the exposed Indian Ocean weather and waves, and makes for a diversity of underwater life not found elsewhere.
This natural harbour is also the reason that Addu atoll, and in particular the island of Gan at its southern tip, holds such a fascinating place in military history. Used as a Royal Navy base by the British in World War II, and then from 1957-76 by the RAF, many of the original buildings have been adapted for modern use including the airstrip which is now Gan International Airport.
Boat Diving
From the Aquaventure dive centre on Maradhoo Island it is possible to reach around 25 dive sites within a 10-60 minute boat journey. Dives on the inside of the atoll are characterised by calm waters suitable for novice divers and keen photographers. The colour and range of corals is particularly good here, especially as Addu atoll is one of the only areas in the Maldives not seriously affected by the 1998 coral bleaching.
Heading to the outer edges of the atoll further north leads to more of the exhilarating drift and wall dives that the Maldives are famous for. The area’s premier site is Mudakan, otherwise known as Manta Point. As many as 25 mantas come into the cleaning station situated at around 23m and guests frequently see mantas on every dive. The dives on the outer reefs are characterised by stronger currents bringing with them plenty of large marine life - reef sharks, turtles and eagle rays are commonplace, as well as honeycomb and moray eels, barracuda, batfish, unicorn fish, napoleon wrasse and more. There are many massive colourful coral formations with a combination of soft and hard corals including gorgonians, mushroom and table corals, whilst some sites offer sandy slopes and small caves and overhangs to explore.
A major attraction of diving here is the biggest wreck in the Maldives, the British Loyalty, an oil tanker sunk by torpedo at the end of WWII. Only 10 minutes from the dive centre, the wreck is 134 metres long and sits at a depth of 16 to 33 metres, lying on its portside in the inner atoll. The main hull is covered with gorgonians, table, black and soft corals and the three remaining blades of the propeller make a great photo opportunity. There is a resident leaf-fish on the upper side towards the bow, and turtles are regularly seen. There are plenty of open areas, and two holes mean you can see right through, but entering the wreck is not possible.
Dive prices
Aquaventure
Aquaventure dive centre is run by a team with many years of experience of Maldivian diving. Based on Maradhoo Island, which is linked to the islands of Feydhoo and Gan by causeways, Aquaventure offers a programme of daily boat diving by dhoni - usually two dives in the morning, and one in the afternoon. All dives are guided with a maximum of six divers to each guide.
Dive Packs
Options available include 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9 or 10 day dive packages. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.All dive packs include 2 morning dives and 1 afternoon dive; all night dives are extra and charged locally - cost $20 per dive.
DIVE COURSES
Aquaventure offers a range of PADI and S.C.U.B.A training courses including Open Water, Advanced and a range of Specialty courses such as drift and wreck. Please enquire for details.
Extras in Resort
Prices listed below are an indication only, and subject to change.
Equipment rental per day, payable in resort (USD):
Regulator: $12
BCD: $12
Shortie Wetsuit: $12
Dive Computer: $12
Torch: $30
Mask: $4
Snorkel: $2
Fins: $4
Please note that 12% sales tax is payable locally in resort.
Resort info
Getting Around and Basic Information
Male airport is located on its own island. The Airport island accommodates the main terminal, the seaplane port and the airport hotel (Hulhule Airport hotel). In the vast majority of cases, Male airport acts as the hub for all transfers between island resorts and atolls.
A narrow channel of water separates Male Airport Island from Male town and a regular inexpensive boat service operates between the two islands.
Once you are on your island resort, there is no ‘public’ transport to get around to other islands, you need to organise local excursions and join guided trips.
Twin centre stays, in most cases, hub through the central point of Male to reach your next island.
Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male
Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu and Addu atoll. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.
Seaplane and Boat Transfers
Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.
Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.
Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll and Addu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.
Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.
If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:
Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally
24 hours in advance.
Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.
Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu and Addu Atoll
Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North and Addu atoll in the South involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package, unless otherwise requested.
Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights
International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable. The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).
Climate
This tropical climate has two monsoon seasons. November to May is the northwest monsoon season, which is dry and sunny. June to October is the southeast monsoon and brings the wet season. Having said this, the period crossover of the monsoon seasons fluctuates each year and even during the wet season, one may experience weeks of solid sunshine and just showers in short, sharp bursts.
Air temperature is stable around 28 - 30° C and the water temperature rarely drops below 25° C. Spectacular diving takes place all year round.
Currency
Local currency is the Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR). Approximately £1 = 26 MVR
The tourist currency is US Dollar ($) or Euro (€). Island resorts charge in USD or Euros and bills can be settled with most internationally accepted credit cards at the end of your stay.
Time
The Maldives is +5 hours of GMT.
Travel info
Flight Options
Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply. Regaldive's prices are currently based on Emirates. Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.
Sri Lankan via Colombo, date / flight dependant, from Heathrow.
Qatar Airways via Doha.
Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 night durations departing Sundays and Mondays. We can tailor-make a quote for you.
Stopovers in Dubai & Sri Lanka available on request.
Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male
Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu and Addu atoll. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.
Seaplane and Boat Transfers
Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.
Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.
Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll and Addu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.
Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.
If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:
Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally
24 hours in advance.
Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.
Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu and Addu Atoll
Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North and Addu atoll in the South involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package, unless otherwise requested.
Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights
International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable. The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).
Passports
Passengers travelling to the Maldives must have six months valid on their passport from the date of return to the UK.
Visas
A free 30 day permit is given to British travellers on arrival in Male. Other nationalities should consult their consular website.
Vaccinations
Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic or local GP. Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk. There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to the Maldives, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio.
Prices
The price panel above provides an indication of a lead-in price for your holiday, based on the cheapest time to travel. Prices shown are per person, and based on two persons sharing.
As flight prices vary from day to day, Regaldive will prepare a quotation for you based on current flight prices available. This ensures that you receive the most competitive price for your chosen travel dates. Flights from regional UK airports may be available, depending on your destination and date of travel.
Please call 01353 659999 or e-mail Regaldive, using the link below, for a quotation.
Our Price Promise
At Regaldive we are committed to offering you the best possible value for money on all our diving holidays. That's why we offer you a price match promise. Learn more about our promise to you.
Offers
Reviews
Have you stayed here? Why not share your experiences by adding your review?
"We stayed here for a week in Feb 2015. Beluga guesthouse is very well equipped and comfortable although there is no outside area to relax such as a garden or patio. It is very convenient for the restaurant (which is also very good) and the dive centre. We enjoyed living in a real community rather than in a dive resort. The dive centre owner Mark is passionate about diving and particularly small groups. Perhaps we were spoiled but there were never more than five divers on our boat and we were very well looked after. As for the diving, it was great! Wonderful hard corals and so many fish. The lack of other boats compared to previous trips was noticeable. We really went for the Mantas and were not disappointed but there is much more here. In 12 years holiday diving we have around 300 dives between us in Egypt, The Philippines, The Dutch Antilles, North Sulawesi, Spain and Borneo. Maradhoo is better than most and as good as any we have tried. I'm really glad we went. "
Beluga Guesthouse Maradhoo
"We stayed here for a week in Feb 2015. Beluga guesthouse is very well equipped and comfortable although there is no outside area to relax such as a garden or patio. It is very convenient for the restaurant (which is also very good) and the dive centre. We enjoyed living in a real community rather than in a dive resort. The dive centre owner Mark is passionate about diving and particularly small groups. Perhaps we were spoiled but there were never more than five divers on our boat and we were very well looked after. As for the diving, it was great! Wonderful hard corals and so many fish. The lack of other boats compared to previous trips was noticeable. We really went for the Mantas and were not disappointed but there is much more here. In 12 years holiday diving we have around 300 dives between us in Egypt, The Philippines, The Dutch Antilles, North Sulawesi, Spain and Borneo. Maradhoo is better than most and as good as any we have tried. I'm really glad we went. "
Colin Hore - Bridport, Dorset.
Add new review