Best of Northern Maldives - Lhaviyani (Male-Male)

Nestled amidst the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives islands resemble precious gems and offer a truly unique glimpse of a tropical paradise.

One of the major draws for scuba enthusiasts is the vibrant spectacle of fish schools gracefully patrolling the coral reefs. These underwater ecosystems are also inhabited by larger creatures such as sharks, rays, and the magnificent Whale Sharks. Manta Rays grace these waters throughout the year, with the most exhilarating encounters occurring between May and November. As for Whale Sharks, your best chances to spot them are during the months of April, May, October, and November.

SAMPLE ITINERARY
• Day 1
Arrival and boarding are between 3:30 – 04:00 PM.
Departure for night anchorage 05:00 PM.

• Day 2 - 9
Eat, Sleep, Dive, Repeat.
Most guests make up to 3-4 dives a day, there will also be night dives.

• Day 10
Diving in the morning
Return to port after lunch followed by a Malé city walking tour (1 hour)
dinner ashore and farewell cocktail party
Dinner is the only meal not included in your trip.

• Day 11
Departure 8:00 AM to airport

When in Malé, the city walking tour includes the President’s Office and Residence, the Old Mosque, the New Mosque, Vegetable and Spice Market, Fish Market, and small gift shop. Dinner is held at a nice rooftop restaurant with a beautiful waterfront view. It is approximately $35 USD per person plus beverages. Dinner is offered onboard if guests do not want to participate in the walking tour/dinner outside.

Possible Dive Site :
Male Atoll
Lankan Beyru (Manta Point) - The main highlight at this location is the enchanting presence of manta rays frequenting the cleaning station during the southwest monsoon season. Access to this dive site is relatively straightforward, with mild currents, making it an excellent choice to kick off your diving week. The cleaning station itself is a substantial coral formation adorned with anemones and teeming with diverse marine life. It's a common occurrence to encounter whitetip reef sharks, graceful turtles, and majestic napoleons during your exploration.

Rasfari Corner - Situated on the western side of the atoll, Rasfari Corner boasts expansive and shallow plateaus, ranging from 10 to 20 feet in depth. These plateaus lie adjacent to the broad Rasfari lagoon and are adorned with robust hard corals. During the northeast monsoon, a cleaning station emerges here. The typical approach to this dive begins atop the reef, where you can take refuge from the currents. After spending some quality time with the manta rays, the dive continues along the wall, which descends to approximately 75 feet. This wall is adorned with lush hard corals, bustling with an array of fish species, and is a favored spot for encounters with graceful turtles.

South Male Atoll
Kandooma Thila - Undoubtedly holding the top position among the best dive sites in South Male Atoll, Kandooma Thila is a lengthy submerged pinnacle located in the heart of the channel. It provides awe-inspiring conditions for observing a diverse array of marine life, including grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and impressive schools of jacks and snappers, all visible during both incoming and outgoing currents. The northern side of the pinnacle is adorned with graceful soft corals, while the pinnacle's summit serves as a habitat for numerous reef fish and green turtles. Please note that this area can experience substantial currents, adding an extra dimension to your dive adventure.

Rasdhoo Madivaru - This channel dive between Rasdhoo Island and Madivaru offers an exhilarating experience, with a dramatic ridge facing the open ocean. Here, you can observe a captivating array of marine life, including grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, majestic eagle rays, and sizable dogtooth tunas. For a chance to spot more pelagic species, it's advisable to dive during strong incoming currents and consider using current hooks for stability. The ridge descends to a depth of 150 feet on the outer side, gradually expanding to a sandy seabed within the channel, where sightings of stingrays are common.

If you embark on this dive during the early rays of sunlight, with an incoming current and a touch of good fortune, you may even have the incredible opportunity to encounter hammerhead sharks. In such a case, the dive commences in the open blue waters, and depending on your air consumption, you can explore the ridge before drifting into the channel, creating an unforgettable underwater experience.

North Ari Atoll
Maaya Thila - This thila, or underwater pinnacle, spans an impressive 240 feet in diameter and is renowned as one of the Maldives' premier night diving spots. Its top reef, situated at just 15 feet deep, ensures easy access even when currents are present. The upcurrent side teems with activity, featuring bustling schools of fusiliers and snappers. Within sight, you can easily spot significant jackfish, whitetip reef sharks, graceful stingrays, and elusive moray eels. Several overhangs around the thila provide safe havens for turtles. Despite its reputation as a nighttime dive, Maaya Thila is equally popular during the day. A cluster of isolated coral blocks south of the thila creates a tunnel adorned with exquisite coral formations, offering a chance to glimpse grey reef sharks when the current is right. This dive site's exposure to currents fosters a thriving ecosystem of marine life. The highlights here include sizable schools of jacks and fusiliers on the upcurrent side and an abundance of blue striped snappers seeking refuge from strong currents within the overhangs encircling the thila. Maaya Thila is also frequented by grey reef sharks, schools of barracudas, and dogtooth tunas in the open waters, while turtles and moray eels grace the top reef. For dives in strong currents, a negative entry is recommended, and having current hooks at the ready is advisable.

Bathalaamaagaa Kanthila - Situated in the heart of a channel, this extensive coral ridge extends from the outer reef and gently slopes to depths of 25 meters and beyond, providing optimal conditions for observing grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, majestic eagle rays, and impressive napoleons, as well as schools of jacks and fusiliers. The dive site comes to life during both incoming and outgoing currents, although it may pose a greater challenge during the northeast monsoon's outgoing currents. A negative entry is essential here, and divers are encouraged to seek refuge below the top reef's depth to shield themselves from the current. The use of current hooks is highly recommended for a safe and enjoyable dive experience.

South Ari Atoll
Moofushi Kandu (Manta Point) - This drift dive offers a unique opportunity to witness the graceful manta rays gliding above the cleaning stations at depths ranging from approximately 40 to 75 feet. When mantas make an appearance, it's advisable to employ current hooks and linger around the cleaning station for an extended encounter. This dive site is particularly popular during the northeast monsoon season. Deeper sections of the cleaning station often host whitetip reef sharks, while blue striped snappers and fusiliers have made it their permanent home.

Kudarah Thila - As part of the Marine Protected Area, Kudarah Thila is often hailed as the most stunning site in the atoll, offering exceptional diving conditions. Notable highlights include overhangs adorned with vibrant sea fans and a top reef lushly covered in healthy soft corals. It's also renowned for the presence of substantial schools of blue striped and midnight snappers, fusiliers, and jacks. Divers will find it worthwhile to carry a dive light and explore the small caves, where large groupers often seek refuge.

Kudhimaa Wreck - Resting on a sandy seabed at approximately 90 feet, the Kudhimaa Wreck is a 150-foot-long cargo ship that was intentionally sunk in 1998. It now boasts beautiful coral growth and a diverse array of species. Permanent residents include nurse sharks, batfish, stonefish, lionfish, and moray eels. The wreck features several entrances that allow divers to explore the cargo hall and the wheelhouse. This site enjoys protection from strong currents, enhancing the diving experience.

Maamigili Beyru (Whaleshark Search) - Situated at the southern tip of Ari Atoll within the Marine Protected Area of South Ari Atoll, this shallow and easily accessible dive site is renowned as the best location in the Maldives for spotting majestic Whale Sharks. These gentle giants can be observed cruising along the reef throughout the year. Divers follow a simple yet thrilling protocol: once spotted from the surface, they enter the water, descend, and swim alongside these magnificent creatures.

Vaavu Atoll
Miyaru Kandu - Among the must-not-miss channel dives, Miyaru Kandu promises an impressive array of encounters, especially during strong incoming currents. Grey reef sharks take center stage, but sightings of whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleons, and tunas are also common. The northeast monsoon brings exceptional visibility of up to 120 feet, making this dive a potential highlight of your journey.

Alimatha House Reef - Considered one of the finest night dives in the Maldives, Alimatha House Reef offers a nightly spectacle featuring a large gathering of nurse sharks, stingrays, and massive jacks. This extraordinary show is an experience that should not be missed.

Meemu Atoll
Muli Corner - This reef is renowned as the residence of many sharks during incoming currents and also as a welcoming spot for manta rays at a sizable cleaning station during outgoing currents. It is often recommended to enter the water with an empty BCD and minimize surface time, especially when facing strong currents, to fully enjoy the underwater marvels this site has to offer.

Note :
● Water temperature varies from 80F, 27C in the wet season to 86F, 30C in dry season (3mm wetsuit recommended)
● In January and February, the currents can be very strong, but the big animal activity can be fantastic. Divers should prepare themselves for the more challenging environment and be prepared for the rewards that effort brings.

1. Choose your cabins