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Cyclone of manta rays near by Hanifaru Bay in the Far North of the Maldives. Guitar shark swimming over a reef on the Far Far North Expedition Rich and healthy reef with abundant fish life in the Northern atolls of the Maldives

Far North

August 21 – September 25, 2027

Witness the seasonal manta ray gatherings in Hanifaru Bay before venturing into some of the Maldives’ most remote and least-visited atolls.

Experience the Far North Expeditions

Our Far North expeditions offer two distinct routes, both including Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Classic North explores Baa and its neighbouring atolls, while the Far Far North ventures further north reaching the limits of the Maldives, where few liveaboards travel. Across five departures, these routes offer a rare opportunity to discover the quieter, less-explored northern atolls.

Highlights

  • Up to 17 dives
  • 5 departures a year
  • Domestic flights required
  • Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
  • Manta ray encounters
  • Colorful and healthy reefs
  • Island visits
Guitarfish close up of his head burried in white sand
View from an airplane window over 5 distinct small island

Available Routes

  • Classic North | Via Malé

    • Starts: Male
    • Ends: Dharavandhoo
    • Aug 21 – 28, 2027
    • Starts: Dharavandhoo
    • Ends: Male
    • Sept 18 – 25, 2027

    Explore Baa, Raa, Noonu, and Lhaviyani atolls, with seasonal manta encounters at Hanifaru Bay, coral-rich reefs, and exciting channel dives. This variation follows the same diving itinerary as Classic North, with the option to begin or end your cruise in Malé.

    Travel note: Allow approximately 8 hours of navigation between Malé and Baa Atoll. For departures from Malé, check-in is required by 1:00 PM.

    Route map: Malé to Dharavandhoo, 7 nights. View route map
    Route map: Malé to Dharavandhoo, 7 nights.

  • Classic North

    • Starts: Dharavandhoo
    • Ends: Dharavandhoo
    • Sept 11 – 18, 2027

    Explore Baa, Raa, Noonu, and Lhaviyani atolls, combining seasonal manta encounters at Hanifaru Bay with coral-rich reefs and exciting channel dives. Discover reef sharks, large schools of fish, and secluded sandbanks throughout the northern Maldives.

    Route map: Classic North round trip from Dharavandhoo, 7 nights View route map
    Route map: Classic North round trip from Dharavandhoo, 7 nights

  • Far Far North

    • Starts: Dharavandhoo
    • Ends: Hanimaadhoo
    • Aug 28 – Sept 4, 2027
    • Starts: Hanimaadhoo
    • Ends: Dharavandhoo
    • Sept 4 – 11, 2027

    A route venturing beyond Baa into the rarely visited northern atolls of Haa Dhaal and Haa Alif. Expect manta rays, rare sightings of guitarfish, and exploration dives across remote reefs, pinnacles, and channels. Set foot on secluded sandbanks and visit the historic island of Utheemu, which brings you closer to Maldivian culture, communities, and history.

    Route map: Dharavandhoo to Hanimaadhoo, 7 nights View route map
    Route map: Dharavandhoo to Hanimaadhoo, 7 nights

Day-to-Day Schedule in the Far North

Life aboard Yin and Yang takes on a different rhythm in the northern Maldives. Between dives, there’s time for water sports on secluded sandbanks, local island visits for a closer look at northern Maldivian life, and treatments in the onboard spa. When conditions allow, evenings end with sunset drinks and a BBQ dinner on the beach under the stars.

05:45
Sunrise Yoga Start the day with a stretch
06:30
Dive
08:00
Breakfast Live cooking station
10:30
Dive / Snorkeling
12:30
Lunch
14:30
Dive / Snorkeling
15:30
Activity of the day Watersports, island visit
19:00
Dinner Themed buffet or beach BBQ
View of the turquoise waters and coral reefs of the northern Maldives from Scubaspa Yin or Yang
Manta ray rolling backward in the blue ocean of the Maldives

Diving Details

Diving in the northern Maldives combines seasonal manta encounters, coral-rich reefs, and dynamic channel diving with remarkably uncrowded sites. Baa Atoll is home to Hanifaru Bay, known for its manta aggregations, while the surrounding reefs and channels are full of fish life: large schools, reef sharks, eagle rays, and turtles moving along coral ridges and current-swept passes.

Further north, fewer liveaboards mean quieter dive sites, with pinnacles, cleaning stations, caves, and overhangs. Schooling fish remain a defining feature, alongside the chance to see rare bowmouth and shovelnose guitarfish.

Practical information for diving in the Far North

  • Water temperature: 27–30°C (81–86°F)
  • Dive experience: Open Water certification required. Suitable for a range of experience levels.
  • Currents: Conditions vary from relaxed reef and pinnacle dives to stronger channel and drift dives.
  • Wetsuit recommendation: 3 mm shorty or full suit. Water remains warm, but multiple dives a day can lead to getting chilled.
  • Manta ray snorkeling may take place between dives, in which case freediving may be restricted.

Rates & Dates

Filter departures

21 – 28 Aug

28 Aug – 04 Sep

  • Fully Booked

    Far Far North

    Dharavandhoo to Hanimaadhoo

    7 nightsYin

04 – 11 Sep

11 – 18 Sep

18 – 25 Sep

Other Itineraries

More Scubaspa routes to explore

See Itineraries
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A tiger shark descends through open blue water on the Deep South route in the Maldives.

Deep South

January 16 – March 13, 2027

The southern atolls are the perfect choice for thrill-seeking scuba divers eager for more advanced channel diving and consistent shark encounters.

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