Suvadiva - 2007 PROGRAMME
MALDIVES: SUVADIVA, A WORLD OF EMOTIONS
Albatros Top Boat : cruise “Lamu-Suvadiva” 2007 Programme
Even today the Maldives can still offer unspoilt corners of paradise: they resemble small pearls scattered through a virgin and unspoilt sea. The cruise to Suvadiva for example, touches the southernmost atolls of the Maldivian archipelago which are a magical destination. While sailing we will only meet the boats of local fishermen, the villages we will visit show no trace of Westerners; we will leave behind city madness to live in contact with a lush and generous nature. And naturally we will enjoy the best dives in the whole Maldivian archipelago, in passes teeming with life which will please not only the eyes of divers but also the lens of the most demanding photographers or cameramen thanks to large schools of fish and countless sea fans, soft coral and reef creatures
From January 2007 to the end of March, the M/Y Maavahi of Albatros Top Boat will cruise around the wonderful atoll of Suvadiva. Departing from the capital Male, we will then sail south past the atolls of South Male, Felidhoo, Vattaru, and Mulaku and we will then enter the first atoll still untouched by tourism, the Atoll of Thaa.
Thaa
The diving sites of this atoll are characterised by passes with rather shallow steps teeming with pelagic species including sandbar sharks, whitetip sharks, horse-eye jacks and barracuda, with corners covered in rather large coral formations and reef fish. One of the best dives of this atoll is the Olhugiri pass, characterised by a beautiful shoal detaching from the step in the pass surrounded by cracks and caves covered in wonderful sea fans of all types, which is a great meeting point for sandbar sharks and, less frequently, hammer sharks. Thanks to the variety of deserted islands with coral walls sloping down to depths within reach, this is an ideal area for unforgettable night dives.
Laamu
This atoll is totally unspoilt by tourism and offers very special dives in passes with different characteristics, depending on the position. Some diving sites are therefore characterised by the passage of Carcharinus Albimarginatus, sea-eagles and tuna fish, whereas inside the passes it is easy to meet leopard sharks and nurse sharks either resting on the seabed or hiding under madreporic formations. The passes on the western side are not as interesting.
During the north-eastern monsoon, the tides rich in plankton flowing towards the outside of the atoll sometimes attract manta rays. Also quite interesting is the dive on the Oceanic eastern reef, where the remains of an ancient shipwreck can be seen. Leaving Laamu close to the pass of Hithadhoo, we will set sail at night and cross the ‘one and a half degree’ channel and then reach the atoll of Suvadiva.
Suvadiva
This atoll (the third biggest in the world) known by the name of Suvadiva is one of all divers’ most sought-after destinations. Most dives take place in the passes situated on the atoll’s eastern side. In March, during the north-eastern monsoon, the tide flows towards the inside of the atoll and this produces excellent diving conditions, as the water is clear and it is easy to spot sharks and migratory fish. At the exit of the pass the reef plunges to great depths, but under the step situated at about 30/35 m. are cracks, through-caves and natural arches, all completely covered in sea fans in saffron and amaranth hues, the latter being a very rare colour generally not found in other atolls. Mahadhdhoo Kandu is one of the most beautiful dives. 
Diving apart, this cruise offers many other different aspects, such as the visits to archaeological sites, which bring to mind the famous book ‘The Maldives Mystery’ by Thor Heyerdhal (a Norwegian archaeologist who did some archaeological work in the archipelago). An example is the wonderful Hawitta (a pyramid of pre-Islamic ruins) on the island of Isdhoo Kalaidhoo, which can be admired when approaching the atoll of Laamu from north.
In naturalistic terms, another interesting aspect is represented by the island of the ‘Frigates’ (Hithaadhoo), which has recently become a protected area so that these beautiful sea birds can nest and live there undisturbed. Unlike the surrounding islands, this one is characterised by particularly high vegetation. Fishermen are also in for a treat, as they can throw their trolling line while crossing between the Laamu atoll and the Suvadiva atoll. The ‘one and a half degree’ channel separating these two atolls covers in fact a rather large area and reaches depths of 200/300 metres. The concentration of sharks being quite high in this channel means that whatever one manages to hook gets attacked by these formidable beasts, with the result that many fish heads are reeled in but very few intact fish. This is a spectacle of savage beauty which invariably leaves our chef quite dismayed!
For SNORKELLING lovers, this cruise offers a variety of intact reef teeming with resident sea creatures. The water’s pleasurable temperature (about 28° C all year round), makes it very tempting to go for long swims with flippers in this splendid sea.
During the past years of cruising among these atolls, we have sometimes encountered both hammer sharks and silvertip sharks, as well as the ubiquitous sandbar sharks. Naturally nothing can be guaranteed when out at sea; chances of an encounter are however very high. The luckiest ones will be able to spot great cetacean (sperm whales and, very occasionally, killer whales) during navigation, particularly while crossing from the Thaa atoll to the Laamu atoll and especially when the sea is calm.
Albatros Top Boat have been the first to organise regularly for the last 18 years cruises to the southernmost parts, offering the following TRAVELLING POSSIBILITIES:
the visit to the Suvadiva atoll can be organised in different ways, as part of a one-week or a two-week cruise:
1) cruise with departure from Malè and arriving after two-weeks sailing at the airport of Kaadedhdhoo (Suvadiva), for a connecting domestic flight to Male with Island Aviation.
2) departure from Malè to Kadhdhoo (Laamu atoll) with Island Aviation domestic flight, then a one-week cruise in the Suvadiva atoll and flight back to Malè, always with Island Aviation.
3)Another possibility, for those who cannot afford to take very long holidays, is arrival to and departure from the Suvadiva atoll by plane; this will give you the chance to explore the atoll inside out in just one week!
THE BOAT
This splendid cruise is on board the completely refitted Motor Yacht MAAVAHI, of Superior category, which includes 7 double bedrooms, 4 with double beds and one single (for a total of 18 guests). All the rooms are en-suite and have air conditioning, hot water, fans above the bed and porthole. Indoors there is a dinette with a bar offering a wide choice of drinks and spirits, the comfortable restaurant and the small shop.
Outside there is a partly-covered deck and two sundecks with comfortable deckchairs and a hammock for maximum relaxation.
The Maavahi will remain at Suvadiva from January to March, thus allowing those who cannot afford to take long holidays to arrive and depart by plane (with Island Aviation) and enjoy one-week cruises. As far as our programme is concerned, one of its advantages is the fact we can rely on a backing dhoni, which is ideal for diving, and on a tender, which is also used for fishing, snorkelling and landing on wonderful deserted or fishermen’s islands.
SUVADIVA :
a cruise for everybody
Divers
Snorkel lovers
Sea lovers
Fishermen
Surfers
