Maldives Master

MANDATORY Experience Requirements: Advanced Open Water, or Open Water certification with Deep Adventure Dive* (30 metres) training, at least 30 logged dives and experience diving in currents.

Guests will have the opportunity to experience and participate in cutting-edge conservation research to protect one of the ocean’s most majestic animals. Manta Trust scientists will be collecting photographic identification images of all mantas encountered throughout the expedition - a task that guests are welcome and encouraged to participate in. All new manta rays will be added to the database and guests will be invited to name them.

We will visit six atolls including those with the largest manta populations of the Maldives.

Heading north from Malé provides the opportunity to experience some of the great diving that North Malé Atoll has to offer.

We will then head to Baa Atoll to seek out the feeding mantas of Hanifaru Bay and hopefully a few whale sharks. Baa Atoll offers much more though, with beautiful thilas covered with fish life such as Nelivaru Thila and plenty of interesting critters.

Moving south we will stop in Rasdhu Atoll to dive the famous channel of Rasdhoo Madivaru then venture into Ari Atoll where we will dive some of the Maldives' most famous sites to enjoy a stunning diversity of marine life. Here we may also have the chance to dive with night-feeding mantas, although it is not guaranteed.

The expedition will then head to Vaavu Atoll and South Male Atoll, famous for their shark-filled channel dives and where we will have the chance to dive with dozens of nurse sharks.

NOTE: Scuba diving is not permitted inside Hanifaru Bay. Additionally, there is a government-controlled entrance fee of 30 USD per person which is subject to change without notice and payable on board in USD cash only.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is not suitable for entry-level or inexperienced divers. The majority of the dives are in channels and along deep, open-ocean-facing walls where strong currents are to be expected. 

PADI Advanced Open Water, or equivalent, with at least 50 logged dives are mandatory requirements. Divers should also have experience and be comfortable with negative entries, drift diving, and SMB deployment.

Our crew reserve the right to deny participation in some or all dives if they deem any person unfit or not experienced enough to cope with the diving conditions.

Highlights:

Huvadhoo Atoll

Huvadhoo Atoll features a circular expanse with a deep central lagoon enclosed by reefs and coral islets. Its 40 reef segments create a diverse diving environment, teeming with marine life and vibrant corals affording exciting encounters and exhilarating drift dives.

Laamu Atoll – Fushi Kandu 

Often described as ‘Fish Soup’, Fushi Kandu is one of the most popular dive sites in the region. Relatively shallow at a depth of 12-15 metres, the channel stretches almost 250 metres and is frequented by numerous sharks and other pelagics to excite and delight divers as they drift along with the current.

Thaa Atoll – Olhugiri Kandu

On the South side of Thaa Atoll, large numbers of schooling fish draw reef sharks and tuna from the blue beyond along the walls and channel opening on the hunt for an easy meal. Eagle rays can often be seen foraging for crustaceans amongst the sand and corals, or scooping up discarded fish morsels.

Meemu Atoll – Mulaku Kandu

The northeast is peppered with submerged pinnacles covered predominantly in soft corals, whilst the west will see you surrounded by jacks and snappers. Keep an eye open for sharks and rays along the wall at 30 metres.

Vaavu Atoll – Fotteyo Kandu

Considered by many as one of the best dive areas in the Maldives, Vaavu offers pristine reefs on the eastern side and thrilling shark dives. Fotteyo is one of the more challenging dive sites which is best suited to experienced divers; reef hooks are recommended as currents are usually very strong.

South Male Atoll – Guraidhoo Kandu

Since the eastern side of Guraidhoo 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 sailfish and hammerhead.

Fuvamulah Atoll

Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of diving at Fuvahmulah is Tiger Harbour (previously called Tiger Zoo), so called for its large number of ever-present tiger sharks. The shark encounters are very close making this an exhilarating, must-do dive for adventurous thrill seekers.

PLEASE NOTE: A 30 USD charge applies for diving at Tiger Harbour, payable on board, in USD cash only.