North Male - Baa - Raa - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male

North Male - Baa - Raa - Rasdhoo - Ari - South Male

Another ideal itinerary to see a little bit of everything, with the added bonus of the opportunity to visit the famous Hanifaru Bay - one of the world's top feeding spots for manta rays. Perfect for your first visit to the Maldives.

 

QUALIFICATION NEEDED: PADI Open water or equivalent - no minimum number of logged dives required.

 

Itinerary highlights:

 

**PLEASE NOTE** the dive sites below are just an example of the route taken and are not guaranteed. Current local laws will dictate the amount of time spent at any one dive site. All dives sites are subject to weather conditions and local seasonal knowledge and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides.

 

Hanifaru Bay - Baa: Hanifaru Bay is a marine protected uninhabited island located in the Baa Atoll of the Maldives Islands. Its size is no greater than that of a football field and yet it has become one of the hottest spots on the planet for underwater photographers. The reason for this modern day phenomenon of underwater diversity is because plankton blooms between the months of May and November - a very unusual phenomenon - attracting manta rays by the hundreds. At any one time at Hanifaru Bay, there can be up to 200 manta rays feeding off the coral reefs as well as plenty of whale sharks which do the same! Hanifaru Bay has become the world's largest manta ray feeding destinations. PLEASE NOTE: From January 2012 scuba diving will not be permitted in Hanifaru Bay, however you will be able to snorkel in this area for a $20 fee (per person for approx 45mins).

 

Rasdhoo Madivaru: Rasdhoo Madivaru Corner is located in the corner of the channel into the atoll. Madivaru has its fame amongst seasoned divers of the Maldives. It has one of the most spectacular and confusing reef formations found in Ari Atoll. Hammerhead sharks emerge in big numbers just before sunrise swimming in large groups. Dolphins, dog tooth tunas along with schools of black snapper are seen at the reef edge during the early hours. Divers get an opportunity to view white tip reef sharks, pelagics, trevallys, little tunas, jacks, ribbon eels, fish leaves tunas, napoleon wrasse and barracudas. Experience the thrilling scuba diving adventure amongst fine coral formations with highest underwater visibility.

 

Guraidhoo Kandu - South Male Atoll: Since the eastern side of the channel is open ocean, large predatory fish can regularly be spotted here. This site is famous for sightings of sharks, schools of eagle rays and the occasional sail fish and hammerheads. The best condition to do the dive is when the current is flowing into the Atoll. The dive begins on the outer reef following the current into the atoll. Most of the pelagic species can be observed on the eastern side, where the reef drops off into the deep ocean. At the end of the dive in the channel, along the reef you can find overhangs with plenty of soft coral growth and small fish.

×