ARI QUEEN I 24 APR - 1 MAY I THE BEST OF MALDIVES

OUR BOAT

The 33-meter Ari Queen is a life-cruising aboard scuba diving in Maldives, which takes you to the most famous atolls in the area, such as the north and south of Male, as well as the Ari atolls. The Ari Queen, built in 2009, is fortunate to have a team on board whose experience is older than the dive boat (+/- 15 years!).

OUR CABINS

The Ari Queen welcomes a maximum of 24 people. The boat has 12 cabins, all with private bathrooms with adjustable air conditioning, storage and hot showers. The six cabins located on the lower floor have 1 double bed and 1 single bed. The main and upper decks each have 2 cabins, luxury rooms or suites. It has windows with sea views, a minibar and a flat-screen TV.

AMENITIES

The dive boat was clearly built to be comfortable and conveniently spacious. To relax, on the main deck we have a spacious interior room with comfortable seats, here is also the dining room where 3 delicious meals a day will be served. In the indoor lounge you can take advantage of a complete entertainment system, you will find a large rest area with shade outdoors. There is a bar, tables and chairs, as well as padded loungers available for your comfort. In addition, go up a few stairs and you will find a large terrace from where you can admire the ever changing view and work on your tan. At the top, divers can have a drink while enjoying the sunset in the Maldives. The crew, formed by 15 people, will always be attentive so that we do not miss anything on our unforgettable trip.

FOOD ON BOARD

The food is carried out in the air-conditioned lounge, with high ceilings and wooden panels that give the sensation of an elegant restaurant with spectacular views of the sea. A mixture of local and international food is served in the form of a buffét. Snacks and drinks are also available throughout the day. One of the highlights of the trip is to dine on a beach on the island, enjoying an immaculate environment while watching the sun set over the bright seascape.

DIVING WITH US

The professional diving team is apparently the pride of the boat. With ample space for the storage of diving equipment and all facilities ready for air and nitrox fillers, the Ari Queen is ready for a great dive. There is a large dhoni to help with the diving operation and to make the descent and collection easier!

The Ari Queen offers incredible diving routes in the Maldives. It is stable, equipped with the latest technologies and security features. The Ari Queen can be compared to the Amba, which was built in 2004, is a bit larger and has the same number of guests. That said, the Ari Queen is a newer ship and a little faster than its counterpart.

Whale sharks, sharks, rays and all kinds of tropical fish await in the clear waters of the Maldives!

DIVING IN THE AREA

Maldives offers crystal clear waters all year round, perfect for wide-angle photography, corals, whale sharks, rays, eagle rays and schools of fish. While reefs and channels provide a great diversity of marine life, the Bay of Hanifaru, although It only allows snorkeling, it is the ideal place for whale sharks, sting rays and giant mantas. We are talking about dozens and dozens of huge mantas that feed, up to 200 mantas at a time. It is also likely that you will encounter whale sharks, opening their huge mouths and swallowing food. Many dive sites have Napoleon fish, barracuda, reef sharks, such as gray reef, white tip and black tip, spotted eagle rays, large marble stingrays, fingerlings and tuna. The current will help to remove more of these larger animals such as hammerhead sharks. If you are in a Manta cleaning station, never chase or carry the manta rays, it will not work. Wait for them to come to you

LOWER DECK - STANDARD CABIN, 2 BEDS 

These cabins are located on the lower deck. The cabins have two single beds with controlled A/C, private bathroom with hot showers. Size: 10 m². Maximum occupancy: 2. Shareable: yes. Private bathroom: yes. Air Conditioning: Yes

LOWER DECK - STANDARD CABIN, DOUBLE BED AND BUNK

These cabins are located on the lower deck. The cabins have double and single berths with controlled A/C, private bathrooms with hot showers. Size: 10 m². Beds: 1 double and 1 bunk. Maximum occupancy: 3. Shareable: yes. Private bathroom: yes. Air Conditioning: Yes.

MAIN DECK - LUXURY CABIN

These two spacious and bright cabins are located on the main deck with a double bed and sea view. Both luxury cabins are equipped with a small fridge and a 32-inch flat screen TV, air conditioning with individual control, private bathroom with hot showers, wardrobe and storage. Size: 12 m². Beds: 1 Double. Maximum occupancy: 2. Shareable: No. Private Bathroom: Yes. Air Conditioning: Yes.

Attention * this cabin has a surcharge for being on the main deck

UPPER DECK - DOUBLE SUITE CABIN OR DOUBLE BED

These luminous suites are located on the upper deck with a double bed or two single beds and a view of the sea. The cabins are equipped with a small fridge and a 32" flat screen TV. All cabins have individually controlled air conditioning, private bathrooms with hot showers, wardrobe and storage. Size: 12 m² Beds: Double or Twin. Maximum occupancy: 2. Shareable: yes. Private bathroom: yes. Air Conditioning: Yes.

Attention * this cabin has a surcharge for being on the upper deck

MOST RELEVANT INFORMATION

• For this route the boat leaves from Male and ends at Male
• All the trips on this boat are from Saturday to Saturday the first Saturday embarking, the last Saturday disembarking.
• Attention! The departure/arrival at the marina can change due to the internal logistics of the boat, the bad weather conditions of the previous week or the bad weather forecast.

EMBARKATION AND DEPARTURE

• The nearest airport is Male Intl (MLE). The best-known and easiest airport to reach is the one in the city of Male.
• The transfer from the airport to the boat and from the ship to the airport on the first and last day is INCLUDED in the price. 
• Transfers from hotels in Male to the boat are NOT INCLUDED 
• Only transfers included are  one on boarding day and the other on disembarkation day 
• Transfers other days that are not specified here are extras, they cost money and it is not guaranteed that the boat can do them since it is not in the program.
• At the airport or at the hotel, a person carrying a boat sign will pick you up (transfers are shared group, there may be a waiting time at the airport, depending on the flights of other passengers, transfer might need to go pick up others clients from hotels)
• The embarkation is the first day indicated on the date the cruise begins, all the cruises begin on Saturday and the boarding time is in the the morning
• The boat leaves port on Sunday Morning to go to the first diving point where a shallow dive to test the diving equipment, surface buoy, adjust each divers' group will take place

ARRIVAL AND DISEMBARKATION

• The boat arrives at port on Friday afternoon this day only 2 dives are done in the morning.
• It is your responsibility to make sure that you respect the 24 hours before flight time after your last dive
• Once the boat arrives at port, you can get off and visit the area if you want to, dinner will be served on the boat, and the night of this day you will sleep on the boat.
• Transfers to the airport will be according to the time of your flights, the maximum time to disembark is Saturday at 10 am.   

EXTRA INFORMATION 

• It’s recommended to try to arrive in the Maldives in the morning of your departure day to get settled in.
• Approx. 16 – 18 dives, Advanced Open Water, Beginners welcome upon request

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Advance diver Diving certification or open water with experience 
• Number of planned dives depending on the weather conditions are around 18 dives.
• Currents in some areas of this route can be strong.

PROGRAM

• DAY 1 SATURDAY: Arrival and assistance at the airport. Collecting your luggage. At the indicated time, transfer to the port in Male . Boarding the boat, welcome drink and presentation briefing of the boat and crew (depending on the schedule of flights will be the first day or the next day early morning). Distribution of cabins. Overnight on board. You can take some time this day to prepare your diving equipment. The Cruise Director will tell you if you have to make any payment.
• DAYS 2nd to 7th (Sunday to Friday) BEST OF MALE Diving trip with full board  and daily diving plan. You will have 18 dives in the most important dive sites on the area Friday afternoon you will arrival at port. Dinner and accommodation on board. Free time to enjoy the local atmosphere, shopping and / or optional excursions in the area.
• DAY 8 SATURDAY MALE: Disembark in MALE . Transfer to the hotel or airports 

CENTRAL MALDIVES

• Central Atolls Classical route is our weekly usual route and we do almost all year long from August to January and April and May. This is the best well-known route in Maldives but at the same time the one that offers best and most varied dives. Thanks to that, we know every detail, atoll, passage, thilas and where and when it is convenient to approach every dive zone. It is a 7-night route including 6-dive days on board with embarkation and disembarkation at Male Airport (18 dives with 2 or 3 night dives).
• The 4 atolls route is the ideal route if it is the first time you visit Maldives. It is the most complete one as it gathers all the diversity we can find in this archipelago, from the big pelagic fish to the wide range of species that dwell in the reefs.
• The sight of whale sharks and manta rays is almost guaranteed. In Maldives there are two monsoons: the dry one, from November to April, and the wet one, from May to October. In any case, the climate is tropical and the sun is guaranteed in both seasons.
• The Thilas are great mountains under the sea that we find from a depth of six meters to a maximum of thirty or fourty. The Giris are the same kind of formation but they are closer to the surface, at a depth of only three meters. There are also Farus,  that stand out of the surface of the sea regardless of the tide. The characteristic they have in common is that in all of them we can enjoy carpeted reefs full of life.
• The last type of dives we will enjoy during life on board are the famous Kandus, “channel” in Maldivian language. It is for many the best dive in the cruise. It takes place in the space between two islands, where the ocean currents slip in the atoll, allowing the entrance of big pelagic fish. Here one can enjoy the near sight of grey sharks, whitetip sharks, carangidae and eagle rays.
• Some dives will be done amongst the channels that are between the islands and there can be strong currents. We will do some dives to more than 20 meters. So, we recommend to be advanced or be an experienced diver. It is recommended to dive with Nitrox. Diving computer, buoy and torch for night dives are compulsory to carry with you.
• Desert islands and typical fishermen villages are also visited to discover and enjoy a bit more of the country and if the weather allows doing so we will even dine on a desert beach.
• Although if you are looking for relax, you can enjoy the solarium on board, All this will make this cruise an excellent and unforgettable Great Dive Travel.
• The normal itinerary goes by North and South Male Atolls, Vaavu and Ari.

WHAT THIS ROUTE OFFERS

• 2-3 dives per day over 6 days of scuba (7 nights aboard)
• Ideal for 1st time visitors to the Maldives
• Year-round scuba diving
• Experience all of the diverse marine biology of the archipelago
• If possible up to 3 night dives (Maaya Thila with White tip sharks and morays, Manta Ray Bay, and Alimatha with nurse sharks )

INCLUDED

• Full board, including tea, coffee, snacks between meals and after dives, 1.5l of mineral water in bottle p.p. /day
• Dive guides
• Island tours
• Fishing
• Transfer to/from the airport (return)
• Trips to the local islands (some islands require a small entrance fee of USD 7)
• Accompanied daily snorkelling
• Trip to Male city
• Green fees
• 12% Maldivian GST

NOT INCLUDED

• 10% Service charge on item purchased on board
• Extra dives (45 USD per dive)
• Nitrox (100 USD per week)
• Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) (USD 180 per course)
• Wifi (10 USD access up to 2 GB per activity)
• Tips for the crew (recommended)
• Dinner with Lobster: Dinner for 1 to 2 person (must be pre booked) (75 USD per trip)
• 1 barbeque dinner on the beach. (if weather conditions are good),(Entrance fee per person for the rent of the barbeque place on the island payable onboard) (7 USD per trip)
• Rental equipment full set 250 USD per trip
• Juices, soft drinks, local beer & wine, alcohol

CANCELLATION POLICY

Your reservation request is non-binding and you can cancel it at any time within 72 hours. During this time you can easily find matching flights and get answers from our reservation team to any other questions you may have. After you have confirmed and paid for your reservation, the following cancellation policy applies: 

• 30% non-refundable
• Between 120 and 90 days before the trip = 70 % refund
• Less than 90 days before the trip = no refund

In case of cancellation, the refund will be transferred to your bank account, credit card or paypal account within 10 working days.

BEFORE TRAVELLING

• Make sure you meet the country's requirements corresponding to your nationality Make sure your passport is valid at least six months after the date you plan to visit the country
• Diving insurance is mandatory for divers of all ages on all of our trips: bring your certificate as proof
• It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that is appropriate for the type of diving holidays you are going to do
• Check the electrical standards (such as which plugs are used) in your destination country before travelling and bring the appropriate adaptor if necessary.
• The itinerary and the number of dives are indicative and are subject to weather conditions and conditions: safety is always first
• All divers must provide their diving certification card
• Diving computers are compulsory
• Local rates, fuel surcharges, distance rates, port fees, etc. may change without notice due to changes in government policy, changes in the price of oil, etc. The changes are beyond our control and the increases must be paid if the boat requests them. We will endeavour to inform you of any changes as soon as possible. A change in these rates does not entitle you to cancel the trip.