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Dive Review of Four Seasons Explorer in
Maldives

Four Seasons Explorer: "Excellent Diving and Accomodations", Mar, 2015,

by Richard Ansbacher, DC, US ( 1 report). Report 8164.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments This is a luxury dive boat (a true Four Seasons run property), with 10 very large and comfortable cabins w/ full bath, plus one luxury suite. The crew on both the Explorer and dive team on the Dohni were professional, fun, courteous and provided the same top level service that you would find on shore in a top tier resort.

We were very lucky on our trip (we did the four-night southward route) -- there were only seven guests on board. Still, the boat provided two dive masters, a marine biologist and a videographer on each dive. Given that there were small groups, it was easy for us all to stay together, even when though some of the dives involved managing some fast currents. The instruction, supervision and safety was all excellent.

On the four night cruise -- we did one dive the first day and three dives on each of the second, third and fourth days. This included one night dive. Dives ranged from slow tours over coral-laden reefs to high-speed drift dives and a couple of dives where you use reef hooks to latch on and watch the sea life go by. Overall, the visibility was very good, and the coral and fish life abundant. We were lucky enough to be able to snorkel (along with guests on 5 other tour boats) alongside a couple of whale sharks.

When not diving, the boat has nice areas to lounge (and an attentive wait staff to ensure that you have cold water or drinks). One afternoon/evening was spent on a private island with options to fish, get massages, snorkel or just lie about, with a Malidivian barbecue that evening. The food on board was very good, and the staff was incredibly helpful in trying to meet individual needs/preferences.

This was an expensive trip -- you are paying for four-star service and luxury (including staying a couple of days before and after the boating at the related Four Seasons properties) -- but I wouldn't have changed a thing (except maybe to stay longer).

Websites Four Seasons Explorer   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Belize, Hawaii, Turks, Cayman Islands, Florida Keys
Closest Airport Male Getting There Included sea plane transfer from Male

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp -°F / -°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-80 Ft/ 18-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions [Unspecified]
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks 1 or 2
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
Was this report helpful to you?

Subscriber's Comments

By Robert S Kuhn in IL, US at Mar 27, 2015 00:18 EST  
Were more dives offered or just 3 dives a day? Usually liveaboards allow 4 or 5 dives a day. Did the boat provide Nitrox? What was the water temperature? What was the visibility? 30ft - 100ft? Where were the 7 guests from?
By kathleen lynch in galveston, US at Mar 27, 2015 08:00 EST  
What was the temperature? Thanks
By report author: Richard Ansbacher in DC, US at Aug 02, 2016 14:44 EST  
The seven other guests were from the US, Germany and Japan. Everyone spoke English. There were not other dives offered -- it was plenty for me, but if you wanted to do more, maybe not the right boat. Visibility varied from site to site -- but overall it was very good -- which I understand was typical for our time of year. Temperature was very comfortable in a thin 3mm wetsuit.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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