Maldives Advice in January

[bs0u20a2]

Hi all,

We're going to the Maldives at the end of january. We're going to be meeting up with some people working out there when were there so we're limitted to south Ari (not that thats much of a limitation!).

Anyway, currently, we're tossing up between Sun island resort which seems to be beautiful but I've read a few reports that have said although the fish and mammals are awsome around the island the corals aren't great. And, Villamendhoo, which seems like a much smaller island with better house reefs.

Has anyone been to either of these two or any of the maldives regulars suggest another south Ari location? Been putting this trip off for years, but after a few months of serious slogging in work we're going to bite the bullet and go, so would like it to be the holiday of a lifetime. From a hotel point of view all as we're looking for is a clean room it's the marine life we're going for, but some good food certinally would be appreciated too!

Nick

[Chris Braid]

Nick,

I do remember that the pilots who used to stay over at the island I was on, say that Sun Island was about the most populated in terms of holiday makers. So might depend on how much you want in terms of peace and quiet

[ourmanflint]

In the Maldives smaller is usually better, I've stayed in Villamendhoo a few times and I really liked it.

[george t]

hi just been to sun island resort it was fab, the waters just of the water bungalows are teaming with fish and its only waist deep, take some fish bread with you,you get free from the cafe next to jetty and feed the picasso's and angel fish out of your hand its amazing,lots of rays,sharks just at the shore line,theres a boat trip that takes you out to the reef,takes about 30mins but well worth it .its stunning

[simon garratt]

Velidhu has probably one of the best reefs you'll find in the Maldives imo...In fact its one of the few reefs in the world where you'll find over 95% coral coverage still.


1st image in this article by Chris Jury (photo's by yours truly..... various reefs)

Regards

[bs0u20a2]

Cheers guys, we were leaning towards Velidhu to be honest (let me appologise for my horriific spelling of that in my first post too!). That picture is superb, think you've just made my mind up. Can't wait!

Nick

[ourmanflint]

Velidhu and Villamendhoo are different islands one is in North Ari the other in South Ari, both very nice though

[bs0u20a2]

ahh, thanks for pointing that out! I'll have a look at it now I know its not the one I was looking at but it does look like we need to be in the south.

My other halfs brother is taking part in a whale shark survey out there based around the south Ari atoll, so the plan is to spend a few days hooked up with them. Which means out island choices are a bit limitted.

Nick

[bs0u20a2]

Just booked a week in Villamendhoo for the end of January, can't wait!

Next question, do you think it will be possible to hire the underwater housing for my canon 400D out there from a dive centre or alternatively hire a full underwater camera setup on a day by day basis, or is the underwater housing for my own camera something that I need to buy here and take with me?

I do have underwater housing for my point and click, which I'll take anyway, but to be honest I'd prefere something with a bit more clout to have a play with.

Nick

[Grabble]

They usually hire out underwater cameras complete with their own housing. Personally though, as you already have the camera, I'd suggest you buy your own housing as hiring isn't cheap and once you get out there you're not likely to be able to get hold of one for your own.

That said, a Canon 400d isn't a cheap camera to get housed... I've not had a play with it either, does it have a built in underwater setting on it at all?