Seafari Explorer II · Maldives · 8D/7N
Discover the incredible marine biodiversity of the Maldives on this 8-day liveaboard adventure. This itinerary focuses on encounters with majestic manta rays at iconic sites like Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and other plankton-rich feeding grounds. Explore vibrant thilas and reefs teeming with a variety of sharks, rays, and schooling fish, experiencing both thrilling drifts and detailed reef explorations across the North Male, Ari, and Rasdhoo Atolls.
Guests will be transferred from the airport or hotel to the vessel, with check-in available between 10:00 and 15:00. After a welcome briefing, guests can settle into their cabins and familiarize themselves with the liveaboard.
Today's diving focuses on the North Male Atoll, particularly around Lankan Point, a renowned site for its exceptional manta ray cleaning stations. Divers often observe manta rays, moray eels, Napoleon wrasse, and whitetip reef sharks in this active area. Hulhumale, another potential site, is known for its diverse shark population including stingrays, hammerheads, and bull sharks, alongside various reef fish.
The day centers around the Baa Atoll, home to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Hanifaru Bay, famous for its seasonal plankton blooms that attract large aggregations of manta rays. This protected bay offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe these majestic creatures feeding. Other sites in the area are known for good currents and general reef exploration.
Diving today explores the central Ari Atoll, featuring sites like Dharavandhoo House Reef, a very pleasant outer reef known for manta sightings. The area's rich fish life and underwater relief make it a fulfilling dive experience. Dhonfanu Thila, a shallow top with beautiful overhangs, is a topographical highlight offering encounters with grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and more reef mantas.
Further exploration of the Ari Atoll continues with sites like Kiyadu Reef, an interesting night dive spot featuring a special atmosphere with active reef life and open corals. This area offers potential encounters in the torch beams. The day may also involve transit to Rasdhoo Atoll, where sites like Rasdhoo Madivaru Kandu are famous for their current-swept channels, schools of fish, and pelagic activity.
The morning diving focuses on Rasdhoo Atoll, including Rasdhoo Madivaru Kandu, known for its strong currents and pelagic encounters like grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and schools of trevally. Rasdhoo Manta Point is also a frequented cleaning station for manta rays. In the afternoon, the vessel may move into the North Ari Atoll, with sites like Fesdu Lagoon offering a magical atmosphere for manta ray observations in shallow waters.
The final day of diving concentrates on the North Ari Atoll, exploring diverse thilas and reefs. Ohola Thila presents a vibrant underwater landscape with soft corals, overhangs, and dense reef life, ideal for photography. Fish Head is another prominent thila, recognized for its high concentration of sharks and constant action, providing excellent opportunities to see grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and Napoleon wrasse.
Guests will enjoy breakfast before disembarking the vessel by 07:00. Transfers to the airport or local hotels will be arranged according to individual flight schedules. Divers are recommended to wait 24 hours after their last dive before flying.