Southern Cross liveaboard

● Southern Cross ● The Maldives ● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Cabins ● Specs ● Diving ● Prices ● More boats ● Contact ●

Southern cross is a mid range Maldives liveaboard that can accommodate a maximum of 20 pax in a total of 10 cabins. All rooms are fully air conditioned with attached toilet with hot & cold water. Southern Cross leaves from and returns to Male but doesn't follow a set itinerary as it's all about the giving you the best diving possible. As you may know the Maldives has 2 very distinct currents running at different times ofthe year and this effects which side of the Maldives all the marine life is on at any particular time. Basically, dependant on the currents and the winds, we will select the route and dive sites, this is how we offer you the best diving that the Maldives can provide at any time of year

The Maldives

● Southern Cross ● The Maldives ● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Cabins ● Specs ● Diving ● Prices ● More boats ● Contact ●

The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island country consisting of a group of atolls stretching south of India's Lakshadweep islands between Minicoy Island and the Chagos Archipelago, and about seven hundred kilometres (435 mi) south-west of Sri Lanka in the Laccadive Sea of Indian Ocean. The twenty-six atolls of Maldives encompass a territory featuring 1,192 islets, of which two hundred islands are inhabited.
The original inhabitants were Buddhist, probably since Ashoka's period,in the 3rd century BC. Islam was introduced in 1153. The Maldives then came under the influence of the Portuguese (1558) and the Dutch (1654) seaborne empires. In 1887 it became a British protectorate. In 1965, the Maldives obtained independence from Britain (originally under the name "Maldive Islands"), and in 1968 the Sultanate was replaced by a Republic.
The Maldives is the smallest Asian country in terms of both population and area; it is the smallest predominantly Muslim nation in the world. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in).

Population: 369,031 (2007)
Climate: Tropical, Average 30 Deg C
Access: Scheduled and Charter flights from around the world.
Time Zone:  Maldives is on the Standard Time Zone, GMT+5 hours with no daylight savings time.
Currency: Maldivian currency is in the form of rufiyaa and laree’s. American dollars, traveler's checks and major credit card are widely accepted.
Clothing
Maldives is a fairly laid back, relaxed environment, therefore, T-shirts and shorts are the usual attire due to the warm, sunny days.  Evenings can be cooler, so bring along a light sweater or shawl. There are no dress requirements aboard Southern Cross and cotton clothing is best for most occasions. However, when on land modest clothing and covered shoulders are recommended in order to respect the culture of our hosts.  Comfortable shoes or sandals are recommended for land tours, shoes are not worn onboard the vessel.  For easy luggage storage, we recommend you use a soft duffle bag for packing.   Some airlines give a special allowance for dive gear, however, this should be checked out at the time of booking.

Scheduled airlines to the Maldives:
Name of Airlines	Country of Origin
Aeroflot	Russia
Air Seychelles	Seychelles
Bangkok Airways	Thailand
British Airways	United Kingdom
Condor	Germany
Emirates	United Arab Emirates
Eurofly Spa	Italy
Indian Airlines	India
Air Berlin	Germany
Lauda Air	Italy
Malaysian Airlines	Malaysia
Singapore Airlines	Singapore
Srilankan Airlines	Sri Lanka
Qatar Airways	Qatar

Charter flight airlines to the Maldives:
Name of Airlines	Country of Origin
Air Italy	Italy
Blue Panorama	Italy
Edelweiss Air	Switzerland
Monarch Airways	United Kingdom
Neos Air	Italy
Swiss International Air Lines	Switzerland
Thomas Airways	United Kingdom
Transaero Airlines	Russia
XL Airways	France

Southern Cross - Schedule

● Southern Cross ● The Maldives ● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Cabins ● Specs ● Diving ● Prices ● More boats ● Contact ●

Trip code	Departure Date	Return date	Nights	Itinerary
SC28	6 Dec	13Dec	7	Male - Male
SC30	13Dec	20Dec	7	Male - Male
SC31	20Dec	26Dec	7	Male - Male
SC32	26Dec	2Jan2010	7	Male - Male
SC33	2Jan2010	9Jan	7	Male - Male
SC34	10Jan	17Jan	7	Male - Male
SC35	17Jan	24Jan	7	Male - Male
SC36	24Jan	31Jan	7	Male - Male
SC37	1 Feb	7Feb	7	Male - Male
SC37	7Feb	13Feb	7	Male - Male
SC38	13Feb	20Feb	7	Male - Male
SC39	20Feb	27Feb	7	Male - Male
SC40	27Feb	6Mar	7	Male - Male
SC41	6Mar	13Mar	7	Male - Male
SC42	13Mar	20Mar	7	Male - Male
SC43	20Mar	27Mar	7	Male - Male
SC44	27Mar	3Apr	7	Male - Male
SC45	3Apr	10Apr	7	Male - Male
SC46	10Apr	17Apr	7	Male - Male
SC47	17Apr	24Apr	7	Male - Male
SC48	24Apr	1May	7	Male - Male
SC49	1May	8May	7	Male - Male
SC50	8May	15May	7	Male - Male
SC51	15May	22May	7	Male - Male
SC52	22May2010	July2010	-	Dry dock

Southern Cross - Itinerary

● Southern Cross ● The Maldives ● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Cabins ● Specs ● Diving ● Prices ● More boats ● Contact ●

Southern cross leaves from and returns to Male but doesn't follow a set itinerary as it's all about the giving you the best diving possible. As you may know the Maldives has 2 very distinct currents running at different times of the year and this effects which side of the Maldives all the marine life is on at any particular time. Basically, dependant on the currents and the winds, we will select the route and dive sites, this is how we offer you the best diving that the Maldives can provide at any time of year.
Our divemasters are very experienced in the hunt for mantas, whale sharks predicting the currents to maximise your diving.
Mv Southern Cross visits the best dive sites in the area to see sharks, mantas and all the schools of fishes and stunning reefs that the Maldives are famous for just like any other boat but we will also try really hard, and normally succeed, to find you a whale shark. It is the experience of a lifetime to swim with one of these gentle giants - don't forget to bring your snorkel as you never know when we may run across one of these giants.
Out normal route covers dive sites in the areas of North Male - Rasdhoo - North Ari - South Ari - South Male
However we reserve the right to change it dependant on the conditions and prevaling currents.
Excursion will be arranged every other day, to local islands or uninhabited atollsor resort islands. Night fishing and a BBQ Dinner will be arranged at an uninhabited island.
Games (Chess, playing cards etc), Audio / Video Facilities (VHS / VCD / AUDIO CD) Night Fishing, Snorkeling, Wave Surfing, BBQ on Desert Islands, Island Hopping. Cultural shows / Disco are all available on request

Southern Cross - Specifications, boat details and services

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Year Built:	2002
Hull Type:	Wood
Length:	37.970 m
Width:	10.610 m
Depth:	3.900 m
Cubic Meter:	737.040
Cruise Speed:	12 knots
Navigation:	Navman GPS Chart Pliotter JRC Rader
Engine:	Cummins 425 HP engine diesel
Water maker:	02 water maker 250 lph
Generators:	02 Onan gen sets 35 KW soundproof

Southern Cross - Cabins

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Southern Cross - Prices

● Southern Cross ● The Maldives ● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Cabins ● Specs ● Diving ● Prices ● More boats ● Contact ●

Southern Cross - Diving

● Southern Cross ● The Maldives ● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Cabins ● Specs ● Diving ● Prices ● More boats ● Contact ●

Maldives diving conditions

The climate is warm year round and determined by the monsoons. The monsoons are mild and not as defined as in neighbouring countries. The northeast monsoon starts in January and goes through the end of April. In January and February the currents can be very strong but the big animal activity can be fantastic. The beginning of January brings clear water to most of the region which can be over 60m (200ft) visibility. Underwater visibility in the Maldives is determined by the tidal movements with incoming and outgoing tides. The monsoon patterns have a significant impact on the diving. From May to October, the southeast monsoon brings more big animal action and is the ideal time to go North to places like Baa Atoll.
The air temperature varies little with an annual average of 30C (90F) and minimum of 26C (80F), while the water temperature ranges from 26C (80F) to 30C (86F).
Diving is carried out from our purpose built "diving dhoni” that will not anchor but will follow the divers from the surface. This is the safest and most comfortable way to dive in the Maldives due to the wind and currents. Every diver will have their own Dive Station with their own basket where for storing their diving gear, which will always remain on the diving dhoni. The system leaves the main boat free to handle accommodations, meals and social activities in a quiet atmosphere.
Most guests make up to 3 dives a day, so some sort of protection is needed. A 3mm wetsuit should be comfortable and adequate.

There is a law in the Maldives that the depth limit is 98 feet/ 30 metres. The Divemaster requires proof of certification before the first dive. Proof of your Dive Insurance will also be required, as well as the signing of our Waiver of Indemnity form. Every effort is made to ensure you have a safe trip. However, unforeseen circumstances can and do happen. Therefore, dive accident insurance and travel insurance are compulsory. A reasonably priced DAN Dive Insurance may be purchased onboard. 

The dive sites:

Ari atoll

Kudarah thila
Type of dive: Reef dive
Description: One of the best dive sites for soft coral and fish life. The marine life here is so abundant, that the divers have named it ‘fish soup’. The thila is in a circular shape and can be covered in a single dive at different depths, if the current is not very strong.

Maaya thila
Type of dive: Reef dive / Night dive
Description: The thila is about 80mters in diameter. The whole thila can be done at different depths in a single dive. There are many caves and overhangs around the thila. The large rocks on the north eastern side have large black coral trees growing on them. The site is famous for the sharks and a great barracuda which reside here. The site can be dived at any time of the day, each with different activity going on the reef. The best chance to get close to these creatures is at night time, when they are hunting. You will see sharks, barracudas, rays and eels trying to grab a morsel.

Bathala maaga kanthila
Type of dive: Drift dive
Description: The northern tip of Magaa reef extends into Bathalaa Kandu, is home to a number of grey reef sharks and white-tip reef sharks. They can be seen patrolling along the reef looking for food.

Maalhos thila (Blue curves)
Type of dive: Drift dive / Reef dive
Description: The thila is known for the abundance of soft coral growth on the thila, particularly the blue/violet colored variety that grows on the ceiling of the caves and overhangs, thus the name ‘blue caves’. In addition a large variety of fish life can be observed here.

Rasdhoo Madivaru
Type of dive: Drift dive / Channel dive
Description: The reef on the southern side of Rasdhoo drops vertically to the ocean depths. The site is home to a school of Scalloped Hammerhead sharks (sphyrna lewini). In the early hours of the morning they rise from the deep waters off the atoll into the shallower depths, accessible to divers.

South Male atoll

Guraidhoo Kandu South
Type of dive: Drift dive / channel dive
Description: Since the eastern side of the channel is Open Ocean, large predatory fish can regularly be spotted here. This site is famous for sightings of sharks, schools of eagle rays and the occasional Sail fish and Hammerheads. The best condition to do the dive is when the current is flowing into the Atoll. The dive begins on the outer reef following the current into the atoll. Most of the pelagic species can be observed on the eastern side, where the reef drops off into the deep ocean. At the end of the dive in the channel, along the reef you can find overhangs with plenty of soft coral growth and small fish.

Kandooma thila
Type of dive: Drift dive / reef dive
Description: Located in a channel, the reef is subject to strong currents at times. The ocean currents carry lot of nutrients to the reef, supporting an abundance of sea life.
The site is well renowned for the soft coral growth, turtles, diverse fish life and invertebrates found on the reef. At the reef slope you may find sharks and eagle rays.

Embudu express
Type of dive: Drift dive / channel dive.
Description: Similar to Guraidhoo Kandu, but more sharks are likely to be spotted here.
The currents can be very strong at times. The stronger the current however the better chance of seeing sharks. Under the guidance of an experienced dive guide, the dive can be managed done easily.

Southern Cross - Maldives luxury liveaboard diving

● Southern Cross ● The Maldives ● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Cabins ● Specs ● Diving ● Prices ● More boats ● Contact ●

Southern Cross

● Southern Cross ● The Maldives ● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Cabins ● Specs ● Diving ● Prices ● More boats ● Contact ●