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Dive Into Paradise: First Coast Divers’ Epic Maldives Adventure – February 12–22, 2029

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It’s finally happening! After years of dreaming about turquoise lagoons, manta rays, and coral gardens straight out of a National Geographic spread, First Coast Divers is setting sail for the Maldives! From February 12–22, 2029, we’ll embark on an extraordinary 10-day voyage aboard the brand-new M/Y Spirit of Maldives — a luxury liveaboard perfectly designed for divers and adventure-seekers. Dan and Suzy will be leading this once-in-a-lifetime trip, and best of all, we’ve chartered the entire yacht exclusively for our group. That’s right — 26 divers, one incredible boat, and the most breathtaking dive destination on Earth.

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This will be First Coast Divers’ first-ever trip to the Maldives, and we couldn’t be more excited to share this milestone adventure with you.

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The Heart of the Maldives – Where Ocean Dreams Come True

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Our itinerary, fittingly named the “Heart of the Maldives,” will take us through the central atolls, home to the country’s most celebrated dive sites. The Maldives is an island nation made up of more than 1,000 coral islands, scattered like jewels across the Indian Ocean. Beneath the surface lies a world of endless color and motion — towering pinnacles (known locally as thilas), deep channels (kandus), and coral gardens bursting with life.

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This region is famous for its incredible biodiversity. Picture gliding beside a school of sleek grey reef sharks, watching manta rays dance at cleaning stations, or floating effortlessly over fields of soft coral while turtles cruise by. Every dive feels like stepping into an underwater cathedral — quiet, awe-inspiring, and humbling all at once.

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Why February Is the Best Time to Dive the Maldives

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February is absolutely prime time for diving in the Maldives. It’s the height of the northeast monsoon season, which brings calm seas, crystal-clear visibility (often exceeding 100 feet!), and perfect dive conditions. Water temperatures hover around 82°F (28°C), and the currents are just right — enough to bring in big pelagic life without being too challenging.

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During this time of year, the central atolls come alive. Large schools of fish swirl around the reefs, eagle rays soar gracefully through the blue, and whale sharks occasionally make surprise appearances. The light is spectacular both above and below water, making for stunning photos and unforgettable memories.

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In short, February offers everything a diver dreams of — warm water, sunshine, visibility that seems to stretch forever, and marine life in full swing.

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Our Dive Playground: The Central Atolls’ Best Sites

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We’ll explore some of the Maldives’ most iconic dive sites — a lineup that reads like a diver’s bucket list. Here are a few highlights you can look forward to:

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Kandooma Thila (South Malé Atoll)

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 One of the Maldives’ most famous dives, Kandooma Thila is a submerged pinnacle teeming with life. Grey reef sharks patrol the current, turtles drift lazily over the coral, and schools of trevally flash silver in the sunlight. The coral coverage here is exceptional, and the site’s mix of soft and hard coral gardens creates a breathtaking backdrop for photos. It’s an exhilarating drift dive that perfectly captures the Maldives’ wild beauty.

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Maaya Thila (North Ari Atoll)

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Maaya Thila is the Maldives’ classic “must-do” dive site — a pinnacle that’s home to white-tip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, stingrays, and a riot of tropical fish. During the day, it’s a vibrant coral wonderland. At night, it transforms into something truly magical: nurse sharks and giant trevally hunting under your dive lights while moray eels slither through the coral. It’s one of the best night dives on Earth.

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Rasdhoo Madivaru (Rasdhoo Atoll)

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Often called “Shark Point,” Rasdhoo Madivaru delivers big thrills. Strong currents sweep through this channel, attracting grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and occasionally even hammerheads. It’s a high-energy site — expect to drift, hover, and watch the show unfold in front of you. Between dives, keep an eye out for dolphins on the surface!

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Fotteyo Kandu (Vaavu Atoll)

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Many divers call Fotteyo Kandu one of the best sites in the entire Maldives. It’s a narrow channel known for its dramatic topography — overhangs draped in soft coral, vibrant sea fans, and schools of jacks and barracuda streaming past. Grey reef sharks are regulars here, and hammerheads sometimes cruise the blue beyond the drop-off. This is Maldives diving at its absolute finest.

 

Alimatha Jetty (Vaavu Atoll)

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For something totally different, the Alimatha Jetty night dive is unforgettable. In shallow, calm water, you’ll kneel in the sand as dozens of nurse sharks, stingrays, and jacks swirl around you in the glow of your dive light. It’s an intimate, electrifying experience — one that gets every diver grinning ear to ear.

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Life Aboard the Spirit of Maldives

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When we’re not underwater, we’ll be living in absolute comfort aboard the Spirit of Maldives. This brand-new luxury dive yacht was built with divers in mind, featuring spacious cabins with private bathrooms, an enormous dive deck, a sun deck for lounging, and gourmet meals prepared fresh daily.

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Because First Coast Divers has chartered the entire boat, we’ll have total flexibility in our schedule — more dives, more fun, and zero crowds. Imagine sipping coffee on the upper deck as the sun rises over a turquoise lagoon, or laughing with friends under a canopy of stars after a day of spectacular diving.

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This trip isn’t just about diving — it’s about connection: with the ocean, with nature, and with each other. The shared excitement of discovering a new site, the stories told over dinner, the quiet moments watching the sea — these are what make liveaboard diving so special.

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  What Makes This Trip So Unique

 

There are hundreds of great dive destinations in the world, but the Maldives is in a class of its own. The combination of warm water, thriving reefs, pelagic encounters, and effortless drift diving makes it truly magical. You’re not just diving in the ocean — you’re becoming part of it.

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And because this is our first-ever First Coast Divers trip to the Maldives, it’s going to be extra special. We’ve reserved the entire yacht, curated an itinerary that hits the Maldives’ best central atoll sites, and planned every detail to ensure it’s the adventure of a lifetime.

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Whether it’s your first liveaboard or your tenth, this trip promises the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation — with the people you love to dive with most

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Join Us in the Heart of the Maldives

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From February 12–22, 2029, we’ll chase manta rays, drift through coral channels, explore iconic dive sites, and live aboard one of the finest dive yachts afloat. The Maldives is calling — and we’re answering in true First Coast Divers style: together, with laughter, bubbles, and a deep love for the sea.

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Spaces are limited, and we expect this trip to sell out quickly, so don’t wait. Pack your gear, your sense of adventure, and your camera — because this is the kind of trip that will live in your heart forever.

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 ​Join Dan & Suzy and your First Coast Divers family aboard the Spirit of Maldives for the ultimate diving adventure. The Heart of the Maldives is waiting — and so are we. 
 

*Certification Requirements.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on board, all participants must hold an Advanced Open Water certification (or higher) prior to the trip.

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While not mandatory, we highly recommend that all divers also be certified in Enriched Air Nitrox (EANx). Diving with Nitrox allows for longer bottom times and reduced nitrogen exposure — perfect for a liveaboard adventure with multiple dives each day!

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