Best of Maldives (Male - Male)
EcoPro Mariana · Maldives · 11 Days / 10 Nights
About this route
This 11-day diving expedition explores the vibrant atolls of the Maldives, offering diverse diving experiences, from channel and thila exploration to night dives. Guests can anticipate encounters with a rich array of marine life, including reef sharks, whale sharks, mantas, and various macro species. The itinerary balances thrilling pelagic action with serene reef observations, providing ample opportunities for underwater discovery.
Regions on this route
Highlights
Alimatha House Reef
Alimatha House Reef is a renowned night dive location on the south side of Alimatha Island. Following a victorious night of fishing by locals, the area becomes a feeding ground for numerous nurse sharks, stingrays, and massive jacks. Maximum depth generally doesn't exceed 3 meters, making it an excellent spot for observing nocturnal marine life after sunset.
- Nurse shark night dive
- Stingrays
- Massive jacks
- Shallow night diving
Bathalaamaagaa Kanthila
Bathalaamaagaa Kanthila is a long coral ridge situated in the middle of a channel, extending from the outer reef and sloping gradually down to 25 meters. It presents excellent conditions for observing grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and Napoleon wrasse. As with many Maldivian channels, strong currents and negative entry are commonly encountered due to the northeast monsoon.
- Grey reef sharks
- Whitetip reef sharks
- Napoleon wrasse
- Eagle rays
Fish Head
Fish Head is considered one of the major attractions of the atoll, though currents can make access challenging. The site is known for an abundance of marine life, including blue-striped snappers hiding among currents inside the overhangs. Popular sightings include grey reef sharks, schools of barracudas, and dogtooth tunas on the reef top. Strong currents are expected, and a negative entry is recommended for this site.
- Blue-striped snappers
- Grey reef sharks
- Barracudas and tunas
- Strong currents
Kudarah Thila
Kudarah Thila is celebrated as one of the most beautiful sites in South Ari Atoll. The reef shows exceptional coral coverage, particularly vibrant soft corals in the overhangs. Divers can find large schools of blue striped and midnight snappers, fusiliers, and jacks. The site features a torch and looking inside small caves where groupers might be found. Strong currents are typical, requiring a negative entry to reach the reef top at 15 meters.
- Beautiful soft corals
- Schooling snappers and jacks
- Small caves
- Strong currents
Kudimaa Wreck
The Kudimaa Wreck is a 50-meter cargo ship resting on a sandy bottom at 30 meters depth, near Machchafushi. Sunk in 1998, it offers good coral growth and a variety of species. Nurse sharks, batfish, stonefish, lionfish, and moray eels are common residents. The wreck is penetrable, but no deco time is allowed to preserve its integrity for future divers. A negative entry is common due to strong currents.
- Cargo ship wreck
- Coral growth
- Nurse sharks
- Wreck penetration
Maamigili Beyru (Whaleshark search)
Maamigili Beyru, located in the southern tip of Ari Atoll within the Marine Protected Area of South Ari Atoll, is a premier site for whale shark encounters. Shallow and very easy dives are common here, making it one of the best locations in the Maldives for spotting the biggest fish in the ocean. Whale sharks are year-round residents. Boats often cruise along the reef, with divers entering the water to snorkel alongside these gentle giants. Always discuss with the briefing team.
- Whale shark encounters
- Shallow, easy dives
- Snorkeling with whale sharks
Meemu Atoll: Muli Corner
Muli Corner in Meemu Atoll is known for a lot of sharks dwelling in incoming currents. Manta rays are also commonly seen during the outgoing current. Entering the water with empty BCD and not wasting time on the surface is recommended due to currents. This site is especially known for its pelagic encounters.
- Shark encounters
- Manta ray sightings
- Strong currents
North Ari Atoll: Maaya Thila
Maaya Thila, an 80-meter pinnacle, is a premier site for night diving in the Maldives. The reef's top is at 8 meters, attracting busy fusiliers and snappers. Big eyed jacks, whitetip reef sharks, stingrays, and moray eels are commonly spotted. The site features overhangs where whitetip reef sharks often rest. A tunnel and a beautiful coral button add to the diverse topography. Due to strong currents, a negative entry is recommended.
- Night diving hotspot
- Whitetip reef sharks
- Stingrays
- Moray eels
- Overhangs and tunnels
South Ari Atoll: Moofushi Kandu (Manta Point)
Moofushi Kandu is a prime location to spot reef manta rays, as they hover over the cleaning station at depths of 14 to 25 meters. Manta encounters are more frequent during the northeast monsoon. The dive site is characterized by strong currents, and a cleaning station adorned with blue-striped snappers and fusiliers attracts numerous permanent residents.
- Reef manta ray cleaning station
- Strong currents
- Blue-striped snappers
South Male Atoll: Kandooma Thila
Kandooma Thila is renowned among the top dive sites in South Male Atoll. Located deep within the main channel, it consistently offers spectacular conditions for observing grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling jacks and snappers. Strong currents are common here, making it ideal for experienced divers to witness pelagic action.
- Pelagic encounters
- Grey reef sharks
- Whitetip reef sharks
- Eagle rays
- Strong currents
Thaa Atoll: Whaleshark point
Thaa Atoll's Whaleshark Point offers a unique opportunity to encounter whale sharks. Unlike other areas, this site often involves approaching whale sharks from the back of the platform to attract them to the boat, rather than actively searching while diving. The experience is tailored to be a mask, fins, and snorkel encounter, allowing guests to view the whale shark from the surface. Instructions are provided for maximum enjoyment.
- Whale shark encounters
- Snorkeling opportunities
- Unique viewing method
Vaavu Atoll: Miyaru Kandu
Miyaru Kandu is a channel dive that offers numerous encounters with strong incoming currents. It is a prime location for whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, and tunas. Visibility is often exceptional, reaching 40 meters during the northeast monsoon. While site access can be challenging due to currents, it is not recommended for beginners. A negative entry is often required, and current hooks may be necessary.
- Whitetip reef sharks
- Eagle rays
- Napoleon wrasse
- Strong currents
- Excellent visibility
Requirements
- CertificationAdvanced Open Water
- Minimum logged dives50
- ExperienceDivers should have Advanced Open Water certification with at least 50 logged dives.
Good to know
- Dives are dependent on conditions and subject to change by the captain.
- A negative entry is required for channel dives with strong currents; hooks may be necessary.
- Night dives are available when conditions permit.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Arrival and Embarkation – Male
Upon your arrival in Male, a crew member will meet and transfer you to the liveaboard. After boarding, you'll receive a warm welcome and a comprehensive briefing from the Cruise Director. Following this, you'll be assigned your cabin and have ample time to settle in, set up your dive equipment, and familiarize yourself with the vessel before departure.
Day 2: Diving Adventure – Maldivian Atolls
Today marks the commencement of your diving adventure, with 2-3 exhilarating dives planned across the central Maldivian atolls. The exact dive sites will be chosen by the captain based on prevailing conditions, ensuring optimal encounters with the rich marine ecosystem. When conditions permit, an exciting night dive will also be available, offering a different perspective on the reefs.
Day 3: Diving Adventure – Maldivian Atolls
Today marks the commencement of your diving adventure, with 2-3 exhilarating dives planned across the central Maldivian atolls. The exact dive sites will be chosen by the captain based on prevailing conditions, ensuring optimal encounters with the rich marine ecosystem. When conditions permit, an exciting night dive will also be available, offering a different perspective on the reefs.
Day 4: Diving Adventure – Maldivian Atolls
Today marks the commencement of your diving adventure, with 2-3 exhilarating dives planned across the central Maldivian atolls. The exact dive sites will be chosen by the captain based on prevailing conditions, ensuring optimal encounters with the rich marine ecosystem. When conditions permit, an exciting night dive will also be available, offering a different perspective on the reefs.
Day 5: Diving Adventure – Maldivian Atolls
Today marks the commencement of your diving adventure, with 2-3 exhilarating dives planned across the central Maldivian atolls. The exact dive sites will be chosen by the captain based on prevailing conditions, ensuring optimal encounters with the rich marine ecosystem. When conditions permit, an exciting night dive will also be available, offering a different perspective on the reefs.
Day 6: Diving Adventure – Maldivian Atolls
Today marks the commencement of your diving adventure, with 2-3 exhilarating dives planned across the central Maldivian atolls. The exact dive sites will be chosen by the captain based on prevailing conditions, ensuring optimal encounters with the rich marine ecosystem. When conditions permit, an exciting night dive will also be available, offering a different perspective on the reefs.
Day 7: Diving Adventure – Maldivian Atolls
Today marks the commencement of your diving adventure, with 2-3 exhilarating dives planned across the central Maldivian atolls. The exact dive sites will be chosen by the captain based on prevailing conditions, ensuring optimal encounters with the rich marine ecosystem. When conditions permit, an exciting night dive will also be available, offering a different perspective on the reefs.
Day 8: Diving Adventure – Maldivian Atolls
Today marks the commencement of your diving adventure, with 2-3 exhilarating dives planned across the central Maldivian atolls. The exact dive sites will be chosen by the captain based on prevailing conditions, ensuring optimal encounters with the rich marine ecosystem. When conditions permit, an exciting night dive will also be available, offering a different perspective on the reefs.
Day 9: Diving Adventure – Maldivian Atolls
Today marks the commencement of your diving adventure, with 2-3 exhilarating dives planned across the central Maldivian atolls. The exact dive sites will be chosen by the captain based on prevailing conditions, ensuring optimal encounters with the rich marine ecosystem. When conditions permit, an exciting night dive will also be available, offering a different perspective on the reefs.
Day 10: Final Dive – Preparing for Departure
The final day of diving includes one last memorable morning dive, allowing guests to savor the underwater beauty of the Maldives one last time. Following this last dive, ample time is allocated for rinsing and drying all dive equipment, as well as packing personal belongings in preparation for disembarkation.
Day 11: Disembarkation – Male
Following an early check-out, guests will be transferred from the vessel back to the airport in Male for their onward flights or any other planned travel arrangements. This marks the conclusion of your liveaboard adventure in the Maldives.
Upcoming departures
All routes of this liveaboard
- Koodoo - Gan · 7 nights
- Deep South Gan-Male (Gan → Male) · 12D11N
- Gan-Kooddoo (Gan → Kooddoo) · 8D7N
- Gan - Koodoo · 14 nights
- Best of Maldives (Male - Male) · 12 nights
- Deep South (Male - Gan) · 10 nights
- Best of Maldives (Male - Male) · 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Best of Maldives (Male - Male) · 12D11N
- Central Atolls (Male - Male) · 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Deep South (Male - Gan) · 12 Days / 11 Nights
- Deep South (Gan - Male) · 15 Days / 14 Nights
- Southern Atolls (Koodoo - Gan) · 11 Days / 10 Nights
- North incl. Hanifaru Bay (Male - Male) · 8 Days / 7 Nights
About the vessel
EcoPro MarianaMaldives