From August 15 to September 26 2026
Our Far North itineraries offer an experience like no other. This unique adventure takes you to remote tropical spots where you can witness the extraordinary gatherings of manta rays in Hanifaru Bay.
For the first time, our northern season features two distinct routes in this remote region: the Classic North itinerary and the brand-new Far Far North journey, each offering a different way to experience the Maldives’ wildest frontier.
In 2026, Scubaspa returns to the farthest reaches of the Maldives with six weeks of carefully timed cruises designed for divers who crave something beyond the ordinary. These 2 special itineraries include iconic sites like Hanifaru Bay, renowned for its manta ray gatherings, but also venture into rarely visited atolls.
Untouched by mass tourism, rich in marine life, and bursting with biodiversity, these two routes are crafted for those who love the Maldives and want to explore its outer edges.
The northern atolls present a striking variety of underwater seascapes, from towering pinnacles to hidden canyons, overhangs, and channels. Each site is adorned with vibrant coral formations and alive with marine life.
Above the surface, calm waters give way to scattered sandbanks and secluded islands, perfect spots to relax in vast, shallow lagoons that are likely to be ours alone.
Overview
THE CLASSIC NORTH ROUTE
MALE TO DHARAVANDHOO *
(15.08 – 22.08.2026)
DHARAVANDHOO TO DHARAVANDHOO
(22.08 – 29.08.2026)
(12.09 – 19.09.2026)
DHARAVANDHOO TO MALE **
(19.09 – 26.09.2026)
A smooth loop through four atolls, this itinerary blends manta encounters, coral-covered reefs, and seasonal channel action, a classic route for divers who want variety without venturing too far off the map.
Baa Atoll brings the magic of Hanifaru Bay, where mantas gather in large numbers during the southwest monsoon. Snorkeling sessions are guided and timed to optimize sightings inside this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, one of the most extraordinary marine experiences in the Maldives.
In Raa Atoll, enjoy relaxed reef dives packed with soft corals, macro life, and manta visits, all within a single atoll. It’s an ideal spot for both wide-angle scenes and critter hunting.
Lhaviyani delivers the real adrenaline: channel dives rich with grey reef sharks, silvertips, eagle rays, blacktip sharks, turtles, and schooling barracuda. This atoll comes alive during the August to October western monsoon window, with great currents and good visibility.
Finally, Noonu Atoll offers a quieter contrast, a chance to explore sites less frequently visited, where pinnacles and overhangs host reef sharks and schooling fish in a more untouched setting.
Steady pace, strong variety, and plenty of pelagic moments, this is the northern Maldives done just right.
- Domestic flights between Male and Dharavandhoo are required and will vary depending on the itinerary - this may include one-way or round-trip flights.
- * Early departure - Latest check-in at 1pm
- ** An 8-hour navigation from Male to Baa and Baa to Male
FAR FAR NORTH
NEW
DHARAVANDHOO TO HANIMAADHOO
(29.08 – 05.09.2026)
HANIMAADHOO TO DHARAVANDHOO
(05.09 – 12.09.2026)
This new itinerary is all about adventure. A rare opportunity to explore the farthest northern atolls of the Maldives, remote, raw, and largely untouched by tourism. Begin, or end, in Baa Atoll, where the world-renowned Hanifaru Bay promises seasonal manta encounters in a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a breathtaking natural phenomenon and a highlight of the journey.
Drifting through Lhaviyani and Noonu, where channel dives pulse with life: grey reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, and barracuda swirl through currents and coral-covered topography. We are expecting overhangs, pinnacles, and ridges alive with movement and color.
Further into the atolls of Shaviyani, Haa Dhaal, and Haa Alif, the true sense of exploration begins. Here, dive sites remain largely uncharted, offering the chance to encounter manta cleaning stations, underwater caves, and both species of guitar sharks, bowmouth and shovelnose. With so few boats reaching these waters, every dive will feel like a discovery.
Between dives, local island visits will reveal a different side of the Maldives, cultural encounters, quiet villages, and centuries of history. Stops may include Utheemu, once home to a legendary sultan and an enduring symbol of Maldivian independence.
A route designed for divers who crave something more: manta-rich moments, wild reefs, and the freedom of a frontier few have seen.
- Depending on the itinerary, two domestic flights will be required: one between Male and Dharavandhoo, and one between Male and Hanimaadhoo. The direction of each flight (arrival/departure) varies by week.
Available Weeks – 2026: |
|||
| Week 1 – Classic North | Male → Baa | August 15-22, 2026 | Book Now |
| Week 2 – Classic North | Baa → Baa | August 22-29, 2026 | Book Now |
| Week 3 – Far Far North 🆕 | Baa → Haa Alif | August 29 - September 5, 2026 | Book Now |
| Week 4 – Far Far North 🆕 | Haa Alif → Baa | September 5-12, 2026 | Book Now |
| Week 5 – Classic North | Baa → Baa | September 12-19, 2026 | Book Now |
| Week 6 – Classic North | Baa → Male | September 19-26, 2026 | Book Now |
Terms and Conditions Apply
- 1x Hanifaru Bay permit included per guest
- Snorkeling in Hanifaru Bay replaces one scheduled dive
- Additional entries possible at extra cost
- Domestic flights required
- Itineraries are weather and wildlife dependent