Sri Lanka & Maldives

[JulieF]

When is the best time to go and where (both)for reasonably experienced divers who've never been

[Maria Harwood]

When is the best time to go and where (both)for reasonably experienced divers who've never been
We went on liveaboard round the Maldives in April. Apparently this is one of the best times for mantas.

[Colin Knight]

I have taken a dive group to the Maldives 16 times since 1988. During the last 12 years I have visited Bandos Island Resort 10 times(www.bandos.com). They offer diving to suit all levels - good shore diving and boat trips twice a day. They are also a tech center now and offer Nitrox 32%, which I recommend. There is a 24 hour medical center with hyperbaric chamber/ technician/ hyperbaric medic (it is THE DAN MAldives Center. Dive fees include chamber insurance).
I have gone on a liveboard once and highly recommend that for the more experienced divers (deeper, fast current dives and often fewer of them because of the travel and depth).
Best time of year is December thru May to avoid some of the worst monsoon weather.
You will enjoy the diving in the Maldives provided you go to a decent resort/liveaboard (visit www.undercurrent.org for members views on that). The fish life in the Maldives is fanatastic, great for photographers.
Enjoy....

Colin