DUNE Black Manta · Maldives · 10N
Embark on an unforgettable underwater adventure through the North Atolls of the Maldives, where every dive reveals a vibrant world teeming with marine life. From the manta cleaning stations of North Malé and the whale shark gatherings of Baa Atoll to the shark-filled channels of Lhaviyani, this journey offers encounters with the ocean's most graceful giants and dazzling coral gardens bursting with color. Explore thriving reefs alive with turtles, parrotfish, and eagle rays, drift past walls adorned in pink soft corals, and discover hidden wrecks now home to schools of reef fish. The Northern Atolls Discovery is a true celebration of the Maldives' rich and diverse marine ecosystem—an unforgettable experience for every ocean lover.
Upon arrival at Malé International Airport, a Dune Representative will meet guests and arrange a transfer to the main boat. Enjoy a welcome briefing, followed by dinner and an evening spent relaxing onboard at Hulhumalé Marina. Check-in is scheduled for 3:00 PM, marking the start of your Maldivian adventure.
The expedition begins with dives in North Malé Atoll, exploring dazzling reefs and potential manta cleaning stations, particularly from May to November. The journey continues to Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve known for its rich marine biodiversity. This area features diverse topography, including walls, thilas, plateaus, overhangs, pinnacles, and swim-throughs, offering abundant reef fish, macro species, and opportunities to spot mantas and whale sharks (typically August to November).
The expedition begins with dives in North Malé Atoll, exploring dazzling reefs and potential manta cleaning stations, particularly from May to November. The journey continues to Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve known for its rich marine biodiversity. This area features diverse topography, including walls, thilas, plateaus, overhangs, pinnacles, and swim-throughs, offering abundant reef fish, macro species, and opportunities to spot mantas and whale sharks (typically August to November).
Today's cruise moves to the Raa Atoll, renowned for its thilas and giri which host an exceptional variety of reef fish including parrotfish, unicorn fish, gobies, basslets, and fusiliers. Divers can anticipate encounters with larger pelagic species such as jacks, tunas, eagle rays, marble rays, and Napoleon wrasse. The relatively unknown and vibrant reefs in this northern atoll also commonly feature various shark species like grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and occasional guitar sharks.
Exploration continues in the beautiful Shaviyani Atoll, known for its dazzling reefs and abundant soft corals, including flourishing anemone gardens. Divers may encounter guitar sharks, eagle rays, and schools of batfish. The nutrient-rich waters support diverse marine life, attracting various predators. Common sightings include blacktip reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, leopard sharks, and guitar sharks feeding on smaller fish.
Today's diving focuses on Noonu Atoll, featuring the distinctive Christmas Tree Rock. This pinnacle, shaped like a Christmas tree, boasts layered ledges and plateaus. It is adorned with vibrant soft corals, particularly in shades of pink, creating a breathtaking underwater landscape. This site provides a unique environment for observing reef life amidst stunning coral formations.
Dive sites: Christmas Tree Rock
The expedition progresses to Lhaviyani Atoll, an area celebrated for its current-swept channels teeming with sharks, including grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and blacktip reef sharks. Divers can also frequently spot tunas, barracudas, and eagle rays within the blue. The day may also involve exploring two shipwrecks from the 1980s, both covered in hard and soft corals and abundant with fish life, offering unique wall dives and exciting wreck exploration.
The expedition progresses to Lhaviyani Atoll, an area celebrated for its current-swept channels teeming with sharks, including grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and blacktip reef sharks. Divers can also frequently spot tunas, barracudas, and eagle rays within the blue. The day may also involve exploring two shipwrecks from the 1980s, both covered in hard and soft corals and abundant with fish life, offering unique wall dives and exciting wreck exploration.
The journey returns to North Malé Atoll, known for its stunning long reefs, small caves, and vibrant corals that support prolific marine and reef life. Divers can expect to find squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon, the boat will return to Hulhumalé Marina for the final night onboard, allowing guests to reflect on their fabulous encounters, potentially including mantas.
The journey returns to North Malé Atoll, known for its stunning long reefs, small caves, and vibrant corals that support prolific marine and reef life. Divers can expect to find squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon, the boat will return to Hulhumalé Marina for the final night onboard, allowing guests to reflect on their fabulous encounters, potentially including mantas.
After breakfast, guests will arrange their transfers to the airport according to their flight schedule. Check-out is scheduled for 8:00 AM, with the crew assisting with luggage to ensure a smooth departure, concluding a memorable Maldivian liveaboard experience.