DUNE Black Manta · Maldives · 10 nights
Join the DUNE Black Manta liveaboard for a spectacular journey through the Central and South Atolls of the Maldives. This itinerary offers a rich marine ecosystem featuring vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, and schooling fish. Guests will explore unique underwater landscapes and enjoy both cultural experiences and relaxation.
Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed by our Cruise Manager for a briefing at Hulhumale Marina. The evening provides an opportunity to settle into cabins and enjoy dinner, preparing for the diving adventure ahead.
The day begins by exploring the dazzling long reefs in North Male Atoll, where corals are abundant, providing habitat for a variety of reef fish and small species. The area is known for encountering nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks foraging in the channels.
Today's dives focus on the deep, long reefs and a vibrant manta point in South Male Atoll. This region is a known gathering spot for a variety of red fish and macro species. The area often features diverse coral formations and an abundance of marine life.
Small caves, large overhangs, and diverse reef walls covered with soft corals define the diving in Vaavu Atoll. This area is known for its impressive titan triggerfish and often features grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and schooling tuna. Hammerhead sharks are also commonly seen here.
The outer reefs of Faafu Atoll offer opportunities to see grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and schools of jacks, bigeye trevallies, and barracudas. Moving north to South Ari Atoll, divers may encounter beautiful pinnacles and even larger manta rays. The area is also known for night dives where whale sharks are often observed feeding in the plankton.
In the protected marine areas of Ari Atoll, the mighty whale sharks frequently show up. The crew will search for these gentle giants, and two dives are planned around a point commonly known for manta ray encounters. Grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, and scorpionfish are also commonly found.
Cruising north through South Ari Atoll, divers have a last chance to encounter whale sharks. The channels here are wider and deeper, often revealing more marine life. Common sightings include grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and other large pelagic fish. The evening may feature a barbecue dinner on a nearby desert island.
North Ari Atoll is highlighted by multiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas, and rich marine life around wrecks. Divers can expect to find eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, Napoleon wrasse, schools of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers. The day often concludes with a night dive to observe manta rays feeding.
This day combines exploration of North Ari Atoll's reefs with the remarkable underwater landscapes of Rasdhoo Atoll. You may observe magnificent manta rays and experience thrilling encounters with hammerhead sharks. Drift dives through schools of fish are common, often with pelagic sharks in the blue.
The journey continues to North Malé Atoll, offering a chance to discover stunning long reefs, small caves, and colorful corals. Look for prolific marine and reef life, including squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon, the vessel will cruise back to Hulhumale Marina for the final night.
After breakfast, guests will be transferred to the airport according to their flight schedule. The crew will assist with planning and booking for accommodations if needed, ensuring a smooth departure.