September 16 to October 14
Our Far North itinerary offers you an experience like no other. Not only will you visit remote tropical locations off of the typical tourist grid, you'll also get to experience the most magnificent assemblage of manta rays in Hanifaru Bay.
Hanifaru Bay is based in the Baa Atoll, which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that facilitates sustainably led tourism and habitat protection for manta rays and whale sharks. This is a sublime spot for encounters with these ocean greats and makes this expedition a must if manta rays are your priority.
Besides once-in-a-lifetime manta experiences, the Northern atolls offer numerous pinnacles which come with their own unique topography and hidden treasures such as canyons, swim-throughs, and overhangs. During both these pinnacle and a few channel dives, you'll enjoy spectacularly diverse coral, reef life, and schools of fish.
These calm waters are scattered with sandbanks and picnic islands with huge shallow lagoons that we're likely to have just to ourselves.
Baa Atoll
- You'll spend two days anchored in the Hanifaru Bay area, alongside the biggest 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 arrive, 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 as diving here has been forbidden since 2012.
- The surrounding underwater playground offers multiple shallow manta cleaning stations that can be accessed by both diving and snorkeling.
- Additionally, you can experience the famous Dhonfanu Thila and Dharavandhoo Thila - Maldivian underwater mountains that are covered in vibrant soft corals and rich, macro life
Details
- Only one entrance fee/guest is included in this package
- In Hanifaru Bay a snorkeling excursion replaces a scheduled dive from the package
- Our itineraries are flexible so that we can maximize your experiences with manta rays and other palegics. We'll adapt the route depending on what we find, and try to avoid repeating excursions, unless specifically requested by those onboard of course
Raa Atoll
- The Raa atoll is made up of unique topographical and geographical features, and of it's 88 islands, 15 are inhabited.
- The small pinnacles are home to a proliferation of corals and multifarious schooling fish, with the occasional visits from turtles or eagle rays.
- Again, this atoll is sandbank galore
Noonu Atoll
- Of Noonu's 71 islands, 13 are inhabited, this atoll is famous for its density of swarming fish and 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.
- You'll 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, here you can enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding 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.
- You'll 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: 16 Sept - 23 Sept 2023
- 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 cross to Baa atoll in the afternoon
- Hanifaru Bay snorkeling 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 each week.
- Kayaks and paddleboards are available throughout to glide through the Indian ocean's various shades of blue.
Week 2: 30 Sept - 7 Oct 2023
- Baa - Raa - Noonu - Lhaviyani - Baa
- Requires a domestic return flight from Male to Dharavandhoo and back to Male.
- Hanifaru Bay snorkeling 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 each week.
- Kayaks and paddleboards are available throughout to glide through the Indian ocean's various shades of blue.
Week 3: 7 Oct - 14 Oct 2023
- Baa - Raa - Noonu - Lhaviyani - Male
- Requires a domestic flight from Male to Dharavandhoo
- Hanifaru Bay snorkeling on Monday and Wednesday
- Friday there will be a six hour cross back to Male
- You'll enjoy an idyllic picnic island BBQ and daily trips to various white sandbanks during each week.
- Kayaks and paddleboards are available throughout to glide through the Indian ocean's various shades of blue.