Theia Liveaboard

Destination: Maldives

North Route, Central Atolls & South Route (7-10 Nights) | From $300++/night

theia Liveaboard Quick Pitch

The Theia Liveaboard in the Maldives offers a luxurious and unforgettable experience onboard their 32-meter safari boat. Among the various itineraries offered, guests are taken to the different Maldivian atolls, where they can encounter magnificent marine creatures such as whale sharks, manta rays, giant turtles, and vibrant schools of fish

Location

When flying to the Maldives, guests typically arrive at the Malé International Airport. From there the Dune staff will arrange a transfer to the main boat.

Dive Overview

The Maldives is renowned for its incredible marine biodiversity and the mesmerizing schools of fish that can be found patrolling the vibrant coral reefs. The Maldivian waters are home to a diverse array of fish species, including Humpback and Black and White Snappers, Trevally Jacks, Barracuda, Batfish, Unicornfish, Yellowback Fusiliers, and Harlequin Sweetlips.

These schools of fish create a captivating spectacle as they move together in synchronized formations, showcasing a stunning display of colors, shapes, and sizes. It's a true delight for snorkelers and divers to witness these schools of fish, adding to the allure and beauty of the Maldives' underwater world. The unique and sometimes comical designs of species like Harlequin Sweetlips further add to the charm and fascination of observing marine life in the Maldives.

[See: Maldives Dive Travel Guide] 

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

theia liveaboard accommodation OVERVIEW

The Theia Liveaboard features a total of 10 cabins that can accommodate up to 20 divers comfortably. The Upper Deck features two suites and two junior suites with double beds. These spacious and well-appointed cabins provide a high level of comfort and offer a luxurious retreat for guests. One of the junior suites also offers a panoramic sea view, providing a breathtaking outlook for guests to enjoy. There is one cabin located on the Main Deck, providing convenient access and comfortable living space for guests. The Lower Deck features four cabins with double beds and one single-bed cabin. These cabins offer flexibility in accommodation arrangements, making them suitable for couples, friends, or solo travelers. Also on the lower deck is the deluxe cabin with a double bed and a single bed. This cabin provides ample space and comfort for guests.

All cabins on Theia Liveaboard are equipped with silent air-conditioning, showers, and toilets. They are designed to ensure a pleasant and relaxing stay for guests. Additionally, 220V power outlets are available in the cabins for guests to charge their electronic devices.

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General Facilities

theia liveaboard Boat Features

• Spacious and cozy common room with a panoramic view
• Conviviality, discussion, and rest area
• Easy pack/early booking
• Continental buffet and local meals

theia liveaboard Dive Facilities

• Traditional 16,5m long and 4,7m wide diving Dhoni         
• DIN or International       
• 12 and 14 L tanks       
• Full equipment rental         
• Security equipment, O2, defibrillator         
• Hot and cold water       
•  Silent generator

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Food & Drinks Aboard theia liveaboard

The meals served aboard Theia Liveaboard aim to provide a satisfying dining experience throughout the journey. The dining area on the outside deck adds to the ambiance, creating a memorable dining experience. Guests can also relax on the sun deck and get a refreshing drink from the sky bar.

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theia Liveaboard Deck Plan

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SCHEDULE, RATES & AVAILABILITY

Theia Schedule & Rates

Prices are in USD, per person and are based on the lowest priced cabin. Port and park fees are not included.

[See also: Inclusions & Exclusions]

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Inclusions

• Accommodations aboard the yacht
• All meals and snacks
• Diving
• Airport transfers

RATES &  AVAILABILITY

For more information on rates and availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

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Dive Information & Destinations

central route 7 nights

By taking the Central route, you will discover a variety of coral gardens, drop-offs, drift dives and even a few wrecks. Ocean lovers may have the chance to lend an eye on macro creatures or on the bigger ones: manta rays and whale sharks. A dream liveaboard safari week in the heart of the Maldives you can never get bored of … you will just want to live it over and over again. The itinerary description of the liveaboard safari is only informative as this shall be adapted to weather conditions, currents and the divers' wishes and levels.   

• Day 1: Hulhumalé
• HulhumaléDune’s staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé marina.
• Day 2: North Malé Atoll > Vaavu Atoll
• North Malé Atoll > Vaavu AtollThe trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the dive, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as diving with nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 3: Vaavu Atoll > South Ari Atoll
• Vaavu Atoll > South Ari AtollSmall caves, large overhangs, drop-off walls, and sloping reefs covered with corals can be found in Vaavu Atoll. Titan triggerfish are common. Larger marine life such as grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, tunas, and barracudas are also found here. Moving west to the South Ari Atoll, you will dive on beautiful pinnacles and be able to spot bigger marine life. Dive into this aquarium offered by mother nature and get a chance to meet the the stars of the trip.
• Day 4: South Ari Atoll
• South Ari AtollIn the marine protected area, our first stars, the mighty whale sharks, regularly show up. Our crew will search for their presence and give you a chance to snorkel or even scuba dive with them. Lucky or not, there are also many thilas and some wrecks in South Ari Atoll. Grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, scorpionfish are definitely part of the fauna here. Exploring Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to a nearby local island just before dinner.
• Day 5: South Ari Atoll > North Ari Atoll
• South Ari Atoll > North Ari AtollCruising never stops, moving up to North Ari Atoll while taking a last chance to get a close look at whale sharks. In the north, channels are wider and the ocean is deeper. We will meet some more stars here. The currents attract many grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and even other large pelagic fish. When night falls, you will be invited to go ashore again and indulge yourself in a barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.
• Day 6: North Ari Atoll
• North Ari AtollMultiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas and wreck with rich marine life are the highlights of this area of Ari Atoll. You will also find here eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers. The day will end with a manta night dive. Admire the enormous manta rays feeding right in front your torch.
• Day 7: North Ari Atoll > North Malé Atoll
• North Ari Atoll > North Malé AtollAfter one last dive in North Ari Atoll the cruise will head back to North Malé Atoll. Here you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific pelagic and reef life. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumalé marina to spend your last night on board.
• Day 8: Hulhumalé
• HulhumaléThe trip is coming to an end. Our crew will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day if you have a late flight. Various options are available ranging from snorkelling excursions and booking for accommodations.
• It's time to go back home with fantastic new memories!

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central atolls 7 NIGHTS

By taking the Central route, you will discover a variety of coral gardens, drop-offs, drift dives and even a few wrecks.

The ocean lovers may have the chance to lend an eye on macro creatures or on the bigger ones: manta rays and whale sharks. A dream liveaboard safari week in the heart of the Maldives you can never get bored of... you will just want to live it over and over again.

The itinerary description of the liveaboard safari is only informative as this shall be adapted to weather conditions, currents and the divers/snorkelers' wishes and levels.

• Day 1: Hulhumale
• Dune staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé marina.
• Day 2: South Male to Vaavu Atoll
• The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll and South Malé Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the dive, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as diving with nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 3: Vaavu Atoll to South Ari Atoll
• Small caves, large overhangs, drop-off walls, and sloping reefs covered with corals can be found in Vaavu Atoll. Titan triggerfish are common. Larger marine life such as grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, tunas, and barracudas are also found here. Moving west to the South Ari Atoll, you will dive on beautiful pinnacles and be able to spot bigger marine life. Dive into this aquarium offered by mother nature and get a chance to meet the the stars of the trip.
• Day 4: South Ari Atoll
• In the marine protected area, our first stars, the mighty whale sharks, regularly show up. Our crew will search for their presence and give you a chance to snorkel or even scuba dive with them. Lucky or not, there are also many thilas and some wrecks in South Ari Atoll. Grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, scorpionfish are definitely part of the fauna here. Exploring Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to a nearby local island just before dinner if possible.
• Day 5: South Ari Atoll to North Ari Atoll
• Cruising never stops, moving up to North Ari Atoll while taking a last chance to get a close look at whale sharks. In the north, channels are wider and the ocean is deeper. We will meet some more stars here. The currents attract many grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and even other large pelagic fish. When night falls, you will be invited to go ashore again if possible and indulge yourself in a barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island, or enjoy with a Maldivian night on board.
• Day 6: North Ari Atoll
• Multiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas and wreck with rich marine life are the highlights of this area of Ari Atoll. You will also find here eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers. The day will end with a manta night dive. Admire the enormous manta rays feeding right in front your torch.
• Day 7: North Ari Atoll to North Male Atoll
• After one last dive in North Ari Atoll the cruise will head back to North Malé Atoll. Here you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific pelagic and reef life. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumalé marina to spend your last night on board.
• Day 8: Hulhumalé
• The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and booking for accommodations.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

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KOODOO - MALE 7 NIGHTS

The perfect route for pelagic encounters and divers who enjoy current and drift dives.

• Day 1 : Koodoo - Fuvamulah
• Dune staff will pick you up at Koodoo Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing.
• According to weather conditions, we will go to Fuvamulah Atoll, famous for the numerous sharks living there, especially tigers sharks !
• Day 2 : Gaafu Atoll to Gaaf Alif Atoll
• The largest atoll in the Maldives is made of vibrant reefs and untouched lagoons. Stingrays, turtles and a variety of sharks including black tip reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, and nurse sharks are frequent visitors here. Occasionally you will also find bull sharks and tiger sharks hunting.
• Day 3 : Gaaf Alif Atoll to Laamu Atoll
• Laamu Atoll offers drift dives and deep channels that attract sharks, rays, jacks, and tunas. Moreover you will dive in caves and swim throughs along colorful drop-off walls. The pristine central lagoon is also home to large schools of parrotfish, butterflyfish as well as turtles and triggerfishes.
• Day 4 : Laamu Atoll to Thaa Atoll
• You will discover a variety of impressive sites with submerged pinnacles, channels, corals gardens, overhangs, and swim throughs. You will also encounter white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, tunas, schools of jacks...
• Day 5 : Meemu Atoll to Vaavu Atoll
• Stop in Fotteyo, one of the most famous and rich dive sites of the Maldives with its stunning and colorful caves and swim throughs where we dive again the next morning in the blue to look for hammerhead sharks.
• Enjoy the amazing sunset and scenery from the sandbank.
• Day 6 : Vaavu Atoll to South Male Atoll
• Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the day, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as watching nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 7: South Male to North Male Atoll
• Take a chance to dive among stingrays, giant morays and even sight the majestic guitar shark. Time to wash the equipment, then to enjoy the sunset while the crew prepares a special dinner for your last night onboard.
• Day 8 : Hulhumale
• The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and booking for accommodations.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

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MALE - KOODOO 7 NIGHTS

The perfect route for pelagic encounters and divers who enjoy current and drift dives.

• Day 1 : Hulhumale
• Dune staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will start your cruise to Vaavu Atoll
• Day 2 : Vaavu Atoll to Meemu Atoll
• Time for the first dives on the beautful reefs of Vaavu Atoll and Meemu !
• The excellent pristine channels of Meemu offer steep walls and overhangs coated with healthy hard and soft corals. You will have a chance of looking for hammerhead sharks and to observe grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and hawksbill turtles.
• Day 3 : Meemu Atoll to Thaa Atoll
• Travelling deeper to the south, you will discover a variety of impressive sites with submerged pinnacles, channels, corals gardens, overhangs, and swim throughs. You will also encounter white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, tunas, schools of jacks...
• Day 4 : Laamu Atoll to Gaaf Alif Atoll
• Laamu Atoll offers drift dives and deep channels that attract sharks, rays, jacks, and tunas. Moreover you will dive in caves and swim throughs along colorful drop-off walls. The pristine central lagoon is also home to large schools of parrotfish, butterflyfish as well as turtles and triggerfishes.
• Day 5 : Gaaf Alif Atoll to Gaafu Atoll
• Besides the stunning underwater landscape, the untouched dive sites will also offer chances of meeting the spectacular thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and schools of reef fish.
• Amazing drift dives and deep channel are waiting for you !
• Day 6 : South Gaafu Atoll
• We will make a few more dives in the splendid region of Gaafu. Besides the stunning underwater landscape, the untouched dive sites will also offer chances of meeting the spectacular thresher sharks, bull sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and schools of reef fish.
• Day 7 : South Gaafu Atoll to Fuvamulah Atoll
• At the most southern point of the trip, you will discover an impressive topography counting sloping reefs, drop-off walls and deep channels. There are only few named dive sites here as this part of Maldives is still relatively unknown. Get a chance to see spinner dolphins, manta rays, thresher sharks, and tiger sharks ...
• According to weather conditions, we will go to Fuvamulah Atoll, famous for the numerous sharks living there, especially tigers sharks !
• Day 8 : Koodoo
• The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and booking for accommodations.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

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CENTRAL ROUTE 10 NIGHTS

A twist on the classic Central Atoll Route: Discover Faafu Atoll, the Hidden Gem South of Ari Atoll.

• Day 1 : Hulhumale
• Dune staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé marina.
• Day 2 : North Male to South Male
• The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs of North Malé Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species.
• Day 3 : South Male to Vaavu
• This third day will let you explore the atoll of South Male, famous for the extraordinary topography of its dive sites and amazing channels. Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, tunas and a myriad of corals await the divers.
• We will then cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as diving with nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 4 : Vaavu to Faafu
• Vaavu Atoll features superb drop offs, beautiful little caves and coral festonned walls. It is home to quite a lot oftrigger fishes, but also black tip reef sharks, turtles, barracudas... The luckiest divers may even spot a hammerhead shark cruising its outside wall !
• Day 5 : Faafu to South Ari
• Moving to the South of Ari Atoll, you will dive on beautiful pinnacles and be able to spot bigger marine life. Dive into this aquarium offered by mother nature and get a chance to meet the the stars of the trip...
• Day 6 : South Ari
• In the marine protected area of Mamigili, the whale sharks, regularly show up. Our crew will search for their presence and give you a chance to snorkel or even scuba dive with them. There are also many thilas and some wrecks in South Ari Atoll.
• Day 7 : South Ari to North Ari
• We keep moving up to North Ari Atoll where channels are wider and the ocean is deeper. The currents attract many grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and even other large pelagic fish. When night falls, you will enjoy a barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.
• Day 8 : North Ari
• Multiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas and wreck with rich marine life are the highlights of this area of Ari Atoll. You will also find here eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers. The day will end with a manta night dive. Admire the enormous manta rays feeding right in front your torch.
• Day 9 : North Ari to Rasdhoo
• One last glimpse at the beauties of North Ari Atoll, before moving to the tiny atoll of Rasdhoo. There, pristine reefs, manta rays and sharks are on the menu. Glide in the current and enjoy the ride, while admiring the fauna and landscapes all around.
• Day 10 : Rasdhoo to North Male
• Dive in once more in Rasdhoo Atoll with the pelagic life and the cruise will head back to North Malé Atoll. Here you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific marine and reef life. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs.
• Day 11: Hullumale
• The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and booking for accommodations.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

CENTRAL - SOUTH ATOLLS 10 NIGHTS

The perfect route for pelagic encounters and divers who enjoy current and drift dives.

• Day 1 : Hulhumale
• Dune staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé marina.
• Day 2 : North Male to South Male
• The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs in North Malé Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and small species. After the day, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as watching nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 3 : South Male to Vaavu Atoll
• The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll and South Malé Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the dive, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as diving with nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 4 : Vaavu Atoll to Faafu Atoll
• Small caves, large overhangs, drop-off walls, and sloping reefs covered with corals can be found in Vaavu Atoll. Titan triggerfish are common. Larger marine life such as grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, tunas, and barracudas are also found here. Some were even lucky enough to encounter hammerhead sharks !
• Day 5 : Faafu Atoll to South Ari Atoll
• In the outer reefs of Faafu Atoll, explore the channels to see grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, schools of jacks, bigeye trevallies, and barracudas. Moving north to South Ari Atoll, you will dive on beautiful pinnacles and observe bigger marine life. Dive into this aquarium offered by mother nature, finally meeting the stars of the trip.
• If we are lucky, we will even be able to watch a whale shark at night time feeding in the plancton soup at the back of the boat !
• Day 6 : South Ari Atoll
• In the marine protected areas, our first stars, the mighty whale sharks regularly show up. Our crew will search for their presence and allow you a chance to snorkel or even scuba dive with them. Lucky or not, there are also many thilas and some wrecks in South Ari Atoll. Grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, scorpionfish are definitely to be found here. Exploring Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to the nearby local island just before dinner.
• Day 7 : South Ari to North Ari Atoll
• Cruising never stops, moving up to North Ari Atoll while taking a last chance to get a close look at whale sharks. In the north, channels are wider and the ocean is deeper. We will meet some more stars here. The currents attract many grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and even other large pelagic fish. When night falls, you will be invited ashore again and indulge yourself in the barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.
• Day 8 : North Ari Atoll
• Multiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas and wreck with rich marine life are the highlights of this area of Ari Atoll. You will also find eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers here. The day will end with a manta night dive. Admire the enormous manta rays feeding right in front your torch.
• Day 9 : North Ari Atoll to Rasdhoo Atoll
• The combination of pelagic life and remarkable underwater landscapes in North Ari Atoll is irresistible. You may also dive on the beautiful reefs in Rasdhoo Atoll, observe the magnificent manta rays and experience a fascinating encounter with hammerhead. Drift among schools of fish while still keeping an eye on your preferred pelagic stars.
• Day 10 : Rasdhoo to Malé North
• In North Malé Atoll you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific marine and reef life once again. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumale marina to spend your last night on board.
• Day 11 : Hulhumalé
• The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and booking for accommodations.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

SOUTH ATOLLS 14 NIGHTS

The perfect route for pelagic encounters and divers who enjoy current and drift dives.

• Day 1 : Hulhumale
• Dune staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé marina.
• Day 2 : North Male to South Male to Vaavu Atoll
• The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs in North Malé Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the day, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as watching nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 3 : Vaavu Atoll to Meemu Atoll
• The excellent pristine channels of Meemu offer steep walls and overhangs coated with healthy hard and soft corals. You will have a chance of looking for hammerhead sharks and to observe grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and hawksbill turtles.
• Day 4 : Meemu Atoll to Thaa Atoll
• Travelling deeper to the south, you will discover a variety of impressive sites with submerged pinnacles, channels, corals gardens, overhangs, and swim throughs. You will also encounter white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, tunas, schools of jacks...
• Day 5 : Laamu Atoll to North Gaafu Atoll
• Laamu Atoll offers drift dives and deep channels that attract sharks, rays, jacks, and tunas. Moreover you will dive in caves and swim throughs along colorful drop-off walls. The pristine central lagoon is also home to large schools of parrotfish, butterflyfish as well as turtles and triggerfishes.
• Day 6 : North Gaafu to South Gaafu Atoll
• The largest atoll in the Maldives is made of vibrant reefs and untouched lagoons. Stingrays, turtles and a variety of sharks including black tip reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, and nurse sharks are frequent visitors here. Occasionally you will also find bull sharks and tiger sharks hunting.
• Day 7 : South Gaafu Atoll to Fuvamulah Atoll
• At the most southern point of the trip, you will discover an impressive topography counting sloping reefs, drop-off walls and deep channels. There are only few named dive sites here as this part of Maldives is still relatively unknown. Get a chance to see spinner dolphins, manta rays, thresher sharks, and tiger sharks ...
• Day 8 : Fuvamulah Atoll to Gaafu Atoll
• Back from the deep South, we will make a few more dives in the splendid region of Gaafu. Besides the stunning underwater landscape, the untouched dive sites will also offer chances of meeting the spectacular thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and schools of reef fish.
• Day 9 : Gaafu Atoll to Laamu Atoll
• After night crossing, we generally arrive in Laamu at dawn, ready to dive colorful sloping reefs which often offer nice surprising encounters.
• Day 10 : Laamu Atoll to Thaa Atoll
• When back in Thaa Atoll, the boat will moor in a location well known for the nocturnal encounters with the whale shark; during the day divers explore the rich channels of this atoll.
• Day 11 : Thaa Atoll to Meemu Atoll
• Dive again in this pristine atoll to explore different sites and take a chance for another manta session while having a look for ghost pipe fish! The scenery is astonishing: white and shiny sandbanks and gorgeous untouched islands.
• Day 12 : Meemu Atoll to Vaavu Atoll
• Stop in Fotteyo, one of the most famous and rich dive sites of the Maldives with its stunning and colorful caves and swim throughs where we dive again the next morning in the blue to look for hammerhead sharks.
• Enjoy the amazing sunset and scenery from the sandbank.
• Day 13 : Vaavu Atoll to South Male Atoll
• Back in Guraidhoo, visit the fisherman island and dive two of the mythic and unmissable channels of this atoll.
• Day 14 : South Male to North Male Atoll
• We are back at the starting point but the adventure is not finished yet! Take a chance to dive among stingrays, giant morays and even sight the majestic guitar shark. Time to wash the equipment, then to enjoy the sunset while the crew prepares a special dinner for your last night onboard.
• Day 15 : Hulhumale
• The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and booking for accommodations. Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

10 NIGHTS MANTA TRUST NORTH ATOLLS

Hanifaru bay is the biggest manta feeding hotspot in the world. However, the underwater bay is actually quite small. While the uninhibited island Hanifaru, like many other islands in the Maldives, is just a tiny sand patch.

The grandness comes from the number of reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) that show up just in time for plankton happy hour and have a lavish feast together with some fellow filter-feeding whale sharks.

The site is a protected marine park and the whole Baa Atoll, where Hanifaru bay lies, has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve. This remote atoll is known for having some of the richest coral reef systems in the world.

Why are hundreds of mantas from all over the Maldives attracted to Hanifaru Bay? The answer lies in a very unique combination of factors. The rare shape of the bay and its geographical position are the first things that play a key role. Hanifaru bay is a long and narrow (channel-like) bay with a dead-end. It serves as a scoop for all the plankton being carried up from the deep sea. The second factor is the southwest monsoon current in the Indian Ocean. It pushes nutrient-rich water into the western opening of the bay. The third and crucial factor is the lunar tide, which pushes against the oceanic current.

You will be guided by our professionnal divers and by a member of Manta Trust, a worlwide organisation raising awareness and providing education on manta ray conservation through eco-minded thematic trips.

The itinerary given in this document is an example, and the itinerary might be adapted to increase the chances of unforgettable manta's encounters and/or weather conditions.

• Day 1 : Hulhumale
• Dune staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé marina.
• The member of Manta Trust will also give you a first birefing regarding Mantas and the planning of the trip.
• Day 2 & 3 : Baa Atoll et Hanifaru
• The trip will start discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll. At only 15 m depth, you can have a chance to start the trip watching mantas looping on their cleaning stations. Corals are also abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species.
• Baa Atoll was declared a a UNESCO World Biosphere back in June 2011. Its amazing reefs of Baa offer a wide variety of marine life ranging from small fishes and turtles to the giant filter feeders, mantas and whale sharks. Walls and thilas full of hard and soft corals, plateaus, overhangs, pinnacles and swim throughs are all yours to explore.
• The famous Hanifaru Bay, located on the eastern side of Baa Atoll, is one of the marine protected areas. From August to November, both whale sharks and manta rays aggregate here to devour the zooplankton blooms brought by the southwest monsoon. By regulation, only snorkeling is allowed here, but there are many fascinating dive sites for your delight just nearby.
• Day 4 : Raa Atoll
• The cruise will move up to the Raa Atoll. More thilas and giri will be the place to be to discover an exceptional variety of parrotfish, unicorn fish, gobies, basslets, and fusiliers along with jacks, tunas, stingrays, and napoleon wrasses.
• Cruising north to explore the relatively unknown and vibrant reefs. Here you will encounter more pelagic fish such as eagle rays, marble rays, grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and even guitar sharks.
• Day 5 : Shaviyany Atoll
• Back from the far North, you will dive in the beautiful Shaviyani Atoll . Take a closer look at the dazzling reefs and encounter guitar sharks, eagle rays, and school of batfish. When night falls, you will be invited to go ashore and indulge yourself in the barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.
• Flourishing soft corals and anemone gardens are famous here. The water is filled with nutrients and allows the presence and growth of rich marine life which in turn attracts its predators as well. Black tip reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, leopard sharks,and guitar sharks can be found feeding on smaller fish.
• Day 6 : Noonu Atoll
• You will dive in Christmas Tree Rock and take a chance to observe 20 or more sharks circling around and waiting to be cleaned. The pinnacle resembles a Christmas tree with layers of ledges and plateaus covered in soft, pink corals
• Day 7 & 8 : Lhaviyany
• Here you will not only find wall dives, but also current swept channels full of sharks, including grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, and black tip reef sharks. Keep looking in the blue and you will often see tunas, barracudas as well as eagle rays.
• Going back in time to the 80's, you will dive on two ships. One of them dramatically protrudes through the surface. Both wrecks are covered in hard and soft corals and full of fish life. Exploring Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to a nearby local island just before dinner.
• Day 9 & 10 : North Male
• In North Male Atoll you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific marine and reef life once again. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumale marina to spend your last night on board and debrief about our fabulous encounters with Mantas.
• Day 11 : Hulhumale
• The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and booking for accommodations.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories! 

Other Information

Boat Specifications

• Length: 32m
• Passengers: 20
• Number of cabins: 10
• Tenders: 16.5 metres Dhoni dive support vessel

Practical Information

• Time Zone: UTC+5
• Local Currency: MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa)
• Language Spoken: English
• Electricity: 110 & 220 V
• Payment Onboard: Cash or Credit Card

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