Felicity · Maldives · 8 Days / 7 Nights
This 8-day diving cruise explores the central atolls of the Maldives, beginning and ending in Male. The journey offers around 16 dives across renowned regions such as Male, Ari, Rasdhoo, and Vaavu Atolls. Divers have the opportunity to witness a variety of marine spectacles, from manta rays at cleaning stations to whale sharks in the South Ari Marine Protected Area. The itinerary is designed to be flexible, potentially including famous sites like the Maaya Thila night dive and current-swept channels known for congregations of sharks and rays. Max guests on this trip: 26.
South Male Atoll
Guests board the vessel around 1 PM in Male for introductions and equipment preparation. The trip commences with a check dive in the South Male Atoll area. Afterwards, the liveaboard begins its crossing towards North Ari Atoll, which takes approximately five hours.
Good to know: Boarding at 13:00|Briefings|Equipment setup|Crossing to North Ari Atoll
Male / Ari / Rasdhoo / Vaavu Atolls
The day is spent exploring the diverse underwater landscapes of the Maldives' central atolls. The exact route is subject to conditions but may include sites in the Male, Ari, Rasdhoo, or Vaavu atolls. Dives can feature pinnacles (thilas), channels (kandus), and walls, offering encounters with a wide array of marine life including reef sharks, turtles, and large schools of fish.
Male / Ari / Rasdhoo / Vaavu Atolls
Diving continues through the central atolls, with the captain selecting the best sites based on weather and marine life sightings. The itinerary may feature renowned locations like 'Fish Head' or 'Kandooma Thila', known for their vibrant coral, strong currents, and abundance of pelagic species such as grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and schools of jacks.
Male / Ari / Rasdhoo / Vaavu Atolls
Exploration of the Maldivian atolls proceeds, with potential visits to manta ray cleaning stations like 'Lankan Beyru' or 'Moofushi Kandu', depending on the season. These sites provide a fantastic opportunity to observe manta rays as they hover over coral blocks to be cleaned by smaller fish. The day typically includes three to four dives.
Male / Ari / Rasdhoo / Vaavu Atolls
The journey may lead to South Ari Atoll, an area famous for being a year-round habitat for whale sharks. Dives at sites like 'Maamigili Beyru' offer the chance for an unforgettable encounter with these gentle giants. Other potential dives could include wrecks like the 'Kudhimaa Wreck', which hosts a variety of resident critters.
Male / Ari / Rasdhoo / Vaavu Atolls
The diving adventure continues, possibly including a spectacular night dive. Sites like 'Maaya Thila' or the 'Alimatha House Reef' are world-famous for their nocturnal activity, where divers can witness hunting whitetip reef sharks, moray eels, large numbers of nurse sharks, and massive jacks in action.
Male / Ari / Rasdhoo / Vaavu Atolls
This is the final day of diving. One or two dives are scheduled for the morning, with the last dive concluding around 11:00 AM. This allows for the recommended 24-hour surface interval before flying. The sites are chosen to provide a memorable end to the trip before the vessel heads back towards the disembarkation point.
Good to know: Last dive of the trip concludes around 11:00
Male
After a final breakfast on board, guests will check out at 9:00 AM. Transfers to the airport in Male are provided for onward travel.
Good to know: Check out at 09:00