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Dive Review of Manthiri in
Maldives

Manthiri: "Manthiri - a livaboard treat", Sep, 2016,

by John E. Keith, UT, US (Top Contributor Top Contributor 32 reports with 9 Helpful votes). Report 9099 has 2 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments This was our first trip to the Maldives and the Manthiri (it won't be the last). It was a really great experience. The Manthiri is a very comfortable boat, serving a maximum of 12 divers with a staff of 11 (that tells you something about service). We had only one negative - the mandatory fumigation left a pretty strong odor in the cabin on the first night (not after, though). The staff of the Manthiri met us at the airport (Mussa, the chief dive master) and escorted us (water taxi) to our hotel (we arrived a day before the boat sailed). That hotel - the Sala Family Thai Hotel and Restaurant - was outstanding. The served some of the best Thai food we've eaten (including in Bangkok), the rooms were very comfortable, and the location was in the center of town, ten minutes walk from the city's various tourist sites. We'd flown all night, so a good meal and night's sleep was what was needed. The next morning, Mussa again met us to take us (by water taxi, again) to the Manthiri. There were only five of us Utah divers on this 8-day dive trip, so we couldn't move without someone helping us! The boat and its dhoni (accompanying dive boat) are well equipped. The Manthiri has excellent space for camera work, a very comfortable lounge, a nice sun deck, and comfortable and spacious cabins. The diving was spectacular. The two dive masters (Ali was the second dive master) split the group into fast and slow (we're slow). We watched Mantas over cleaning stations twice for 20 minutes, saw many, many large schools of fish (large and small), many unusual small fish and critters, and some great large fish (cod and humpback wrasse). The corals were fine, but not really as spectacular as say the Red Sea. Currents were strong in some places (requiring anchors) and light in others. Food on the boat was great - fresh fish every night (including sashimi from a fresh-caught wahoo twice!), meat dishes, various veggies and starches, all with really interesting spicing and flavors. Kudos to the cook and his helpers. The staff saw to our every diving need on the dhoni, including helping with fins! Pampered is the word. On return, we were again escorted to the hotel, where we did some sight seeing and once again, ate wonderful Thai food. What a treat this trip was. The only drawback was no whale sharks. Next time.
Websites Manthiri   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Egypt, Florida, California, Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Australia, Maldives
Closest Airport Male Getting There It's a long flight from anywhere, but once you are there, the Manthiri makes the rest easy

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, dry Seas calm, choppy, surge
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 40-100 Ft/ 12-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Stay with the DM (more or less). Keep within safe non-deco limits, and do a safety stop.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 5 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 5 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 5 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Very nice camera bench. Dhoni had a rinse tank for cameras.
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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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