Conte Max · Maldives · 12 Days / 11 Nights
An extended 12-day, 11-night Central Atolls expedition aboard M/Y Conte Max with approximately 29 dives. Departing and returning to Malé, the cruise covers the best of the Central Atolls — typically North and South Malé, Ari, Vaavu (Felidhoo) and Meemu (Mulaku), with seasonal extensions to Baa Atoll (including Hanifaru Bay during the southwest monsoon). Highlights include drift dives through channels with grey reef and whitetip sharks, Napoleon wrasse, large schools of fish, turtles and frequent manta and whale shark encounters. The operator does not publish a fixed day-by-day plan; sites are selected daily by the cruise director based on weather, currents and the season.
Malé
A Conte Max representative meets guests at Malé International Airport and transfers them by dhoni to the yacht. The vessel typically leaves port around 2:00 PM and guests complete a check dive, followed by the welcome briefing from the cruise director. Lunch and dinner are served on board depending on arrival time.
Good to know: airport pick-up|boat briefing|check dive
North & South Malé / Ari
Three dives in the Central Atolls — typically thila (pinnacle) and kandu (channel) drifts in North or South Malé and northern Ari. Expect grey reef and whitetip reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays and large schools of snapper, fusilier and bannerfish.
Good to know: drift diving|three dives
Ari Atoll
Three dives in Ari Atoll, famous for healthy hard-coral reefs, large schools of jacks and snapper, and year-round whale shark sightings on the south-western side. Manta cleaning stations are visited when conditions allow.
Good to know: three dives|whale shark watch
Ari Atoll
A second full day in Ari Atoll, with three dives at a mix of channel drifts and protected thilas — typical sightings include reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, marbled groupers, hawksbill turtles and abundant macro life on the cleaner stations.
Good to know: three dives
Vaavu / Felidhoo Atoll
Three dives in Vaavu (Felidhoo) Atoll, known for its dramatic channels with strong currents and large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna, Napoleon wrasse and colourful reef fish. Night dive at anchor when conditions allow.
Dive sites: Felidhoo Atoll channels
Good to know: channel diving|shark action
Meemu / Mulaku Atoll
Three dives in Meemu (Mulaku) Atoll — one of the Maldives' most reliable areas for reef manta encounters, with the operator noting up to 9 mantas in a single dive at peak season. Pristine reefs and quiet sites away from the busier central tourist atolls.
Good to know: manta encounters
Central Atolls
Three further dives in the Central Atolls chosen by the cruise director based on weather, currents and recent sightings. A beach BBQ on a deserted island is typically scheduled around mid-cruise.
Good to know: three dives
Central Atolls
Three more dives in the Central Atolls. Expect a mix of reef hooks on channel corners, drift dives along reef walls and protected pinnacle dives — sharks, tuna, turtles and large schools of pelagic fish are typical.
Good to know: three dives
Central Atolls
A further three dives in the Central Atolls, with the route adapting to the season — Baa Atoll and Hanifaru Bay are added during the southwest monsoon (June–November) for the chance to snorkel with feeding aggregations of reef mantas and whale sharks.
Good to know: three dives
Central Atolls
Two dives in the Central Atolls as the boat slowly works its way back towards Malé. Afternoon at leisure on the sun deck, with a Maldivian cuisine evening typically scheduled on board.
Good to know: two dives
South Malé / Malé
Two final dives in South Malé Atoll, followed by an early afternoon return to the anchorage near Malé. Equipment rinse, gear pack-up and farewell dinner on board.
Good to know: two dives|farewell dinner
Malé
Early breakfast, farewells and final group photos before transfer to Malé Airport for onward flights.
Good to know: disembarkation