August 17 to September 14 2024
Our Far North itinerary offers an experience like no other. Venture beyond the usual tourist destinations to remote tropical locations and witness the spectacular gathering of manta rays in Hanifaru Bay.
Hanifaru Bay is located in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that promotes sustainable tourism and habitat protection for manta rays and whale sharks. This sublime spot is a must-visit for manta ray enthusiasts, making our expedition perfect if these majestic creatures are your top priority.
Beyond the unforgettable manta experiences, the Northern atolls offer numerous pinnacles, each with its own unique topography and hidden treasures like canyons, swim-throughs, and overhangs. During both pinnacle and channel dives, you'll encounter diverse coral, vibrant reef life, and schools of fish.
The calm waters surrounding the atolls are scattered with sandbanks and picnic islands, featuring expansive shallow lagoons that are likely to be exclusively ours.
Baa Atoll
- You'll spend two days anchored in the Hanifaru Bay area, home to the largest seasonal congregation of manta rays in the world.
- Throughout the day, our liveaboard will be in contact with rangers monitoring the area by drones.
- When the mantas make their appearance, we'll cruise the dive dhoni into the bay for an hour of guided snorkeling alongside these gentle giants. You can repeat this excursion by dinghy as many times as your heart desires (additional entry fees apply). This is a real privilege since diving here has been forbidden since 2012.
- The surrounding underwater playground offers multiple shallow manta cleaning stations that can be accessed both by diving and snorkeling.
- Additionally, you can explore the famous Dhonfanu Thila and Dharavandhoo Thila – Maldivian underwater mountains covered in vibrant soft corals and rich macro life.
Details
- Only one entrance fee per guest is included in this package.
- In Hanifaru Bay, a snorkeling excursion replaces a scheduled dive from the package.
- Our itineraries are flexible to maximize your experiences with manta rays and other pelagics. We'll adapt the route depending on what we find and try to avoid repeating excursions, unless specifically requested by those on board, of course.
Raa Atoll
- The Raa Atoll is made up of unique topographical and geographical features, and of its 88 islands, 15 are inhabited.
- The small pinnacles are home to a proliferation of corals and a myriad of schooling fish, with occasional visits from turtles or eagle rays.
- Again, this atoll is a sandbank galore.
Noonu Atoll
- Of Noonu's 71 islands, 13 are inhabited. This atoll is famous for its density of swarming fish, a huge spinner dolphin population, and abundant soft coral life.
- Home to both Orimas Thila and Xmass Rock, you'll take part in deep pinnacle diving with breathtaking reef life.
- Experience a resort visit and a whole day's access to the picnic island Dhifuraam, where you'll enjoy sun, serenity, and solitude.
- If you're looking to fill your time here with adventure, you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and fun tubing. In the evening, there will be a night dive at Maafaru wreck, where you'll glide alongside stingrays and maybe even guitar sharks.
Lhaviyani Atoll
- Lhaviyani's picturesque island and sapphire lagoons are home to many turtle research and recovery centers. If there's an outgoing current, you'll dive into their unique turtle caves and leave having experienced countless big green sea turtles.
- Plunge into one of the famous dive sites in the Lhaviyani atoll, Kuredu Express. This channel dive is named after the strong currents that can flow here, frequenting schools of sharks and eagle rays, with occasional turtles and stingrays.
Week 1: 17 Aug - 24 Aug 2024
- Male - Baa - Raa - Noonu - Lhaviyani - Baa
- Requires a domestic flight back from Dharavandhoo to Male.
- Your first day starts in the North Male Atoll, slowly moving north across a six-hour cruise to Baa atoll in the afternoon.
- Hanifaru Bay snorkeling is only on Monday; however, if there are no mantas, we may adapt the itinerary and skip Noonu atoll.
- You'll enjoy an idyllic picnic island BBQ and daily trips to various white sandbanks during the week.
- Kayaks and paddleboards are available throughout the week to glide through the Indian Ocean's various shades of blue.
Week 2: 24 Aug - 31 Aug 2024
- Baa - Raa - Noonu - Lhaviyani - Baa
- Requires a domestic return flight from Male to Dharavandhoo and back to Male.
- Hanifaru Bay snorkeling is only on Sunday; however, if there are no mantas, we may adapt the itinerary and skip Noonu atoll.
- You'll enjoy an idyllic picnic island BBQ and daily trips to various white sandbanks during the week.
- Kayaks and paddleboards are available throughout the week to glide through the Indian Ocean's various shades of blue.
Week 3: 07 Sep - 14 Sep 2024
- Baa - Raa - Noonu - Lhaviyani - Male
- Requires a domestic flight from Male to Dharavandhoo.
- Hanifaru Bay snorkeling is scheduled for Monday and Wednesday. On Friday, there will be a six-hour cruise back to Male.
- You'll enjoy an idyllic picnic island BBQ and daily trips to various white sandbanks during the week.
- Kayaks and paddleboards are available throughout the week to glide through the Indian Ocean's various shades of blue.
