Manta Madness
Prices from:
- Great for Mantas
- Whaleshark encounters
- Exclusive itinerary
- Group discounts
- Stunning locations
As the currents sweep plankton rich water into the shallow lagoons around the Maldives, manta and whalesharks follow in vast numbers to gorge on the feast. Snorkel or dive, you will be in the thick of all the action as manta loop before your eyes. There are many chances to see manta's on the Manta Madness itinerary. Right from the check dive, the dive sites have been picked to give you manta sightings all week long. Manta Point and Gangethi are well known stations that manta visit all year round. Our Manta Madness itinerary is not just about these graceful creatures though. Rasdhoo and Maya Thila combine for an almighty day's shark diving with hammerheads, grey reefs and white tip sharks. The night dive is not to be missed on this trip!
The Manta Madness itinerary is the ideal choice for anyone in search of manta sightings galore. If whalesharks have eluded you thus far, grab a spot on this itinerary for the best chances. Snorkelers can get just as close to the mantas as divers. And what a subject for photographers! Take home a picture that will take pride of place on your mantelpiece. No other liveaboard in the Maldives runs this itinerary so you are guaranteed a unique experience and dives the stand out in your log book for many years to come.
We cannot of course 100% guarantee you manta sightings. However we do run this itinerary only in the months when Mantas are prolific and we will take you to the best dive sites to see them, so your chances are very high. Good luck!
Quick Facts
- Average Water Temp: 28 - 30 C
- Average Air Temp: 28 - 30 C
- Average Visability: 5 - 25m
- Good for: Whaleshark, manta, hammerheads, reef sharks
- Suitable for beginners: Yes
Highlights
- Depart from Male on the only boat to sail up to Hanivaru too as well as other famous manta locations in the Maldives.
Testimonials
- "The dive schedule had something for everyone and with an abundance of Whale sharks, Mantas and other great sights during the week"Frazer Hemming
- "It is one on the hottest tickets in diving right now: the amazing aggregation of mantas at Hanifaru lagoon in Baa atoll."Alex Mustard
This is a typical example of the Manta Madness itinerary. The schedule is subject to change according to prevailing weather conditions and is only given as a example of what you would usually encounter during your holiday.
Scuba Travel run the Manta Madness itinerary when the season is the best for the ultimate manta sightings.
Liveaboards that offer Manta Madness
The are seasonal departures on board Orion
Embarkation
Orion will depart from Male.
Trip Duration
All of our Manta Madness trips run for 7 nights with 7 nights spent on board your liveaboard.
There are normally 3 dives a day apart from on your first and last day. There is usually an opportunity for a night dive during the week. There are around 17-18 dives on an average week but this can vary depending on local weather conditions.
Arrival
If your trip departs from Male you will be met on arrival from your international flight and taken directly to the boat. This will take approx 20 mins by boat.
There will be a full welcome briefing on arrival and you can set your kit up. If you have prepaid any rental equipment this will be given to you on arrival. There is then your first dinner and you can settle in for the evening.
Depending on arrival times you may or may not dive on the arrival day.
A normal Manta Madness itinerary will dive at the following areas but the exact dive sites and order will vary week by week depending on what people enjoy, where the best sightings have been and reflect diver experience levels.
North Male Atoll
The check dive starts the diving fun for the week and where better than at Lankan Manta Point. This is the first of many manta dives to come during this week! There are usually 3 day dives planned on board and will be spent in the area around North Male.
Baa Atoll
The boat will sail overnight to Baa atoll, right up in the northern most atolls of the Maldives. The aim of the day is to look for the massive manta congregations. There will be 2 dives made but you can also snorkel with the manta in the lagoons just as easily as dive (max 8m). Due to the thick plankton, this is also a great chance to find whalesharks. If the lagoons do not have the big fish, there is great diving on the local thilas and very good chances that the manta will be found on these reefs instead. Approx 2 days are spent in Baa.
North Ari Atoll
The boat will head back south heading to the famous North Ari atoll. The diving here is especially good for sharks and eagle rays but also for more manta. Look for hammerheads at Rasdhoo or watch passing whiteips and greys as Hafsa Thila. Maaya Thila is one of the most famous dives in the Maldives. During the day look for the big marble rays that live on the top of the reef. And then splash in at night time for a night dive that is simply incredible. Hunting whitetips make for a thrilling dive.
North Male Atoll
Get your final manta fix as you dive sites such as Kan Thila or Kuda Haa. Depending on the necessary desaturation times, there may also be a chance to dive a wreck close to Male. These might be the last dives of the trip but are excellent, especially for the big pelagics.
Disembarkation
You will normally leave the boat after breakfast on your last day and be transferred to the airport to begin your journey home. Please do speak to the travel consultant at the time of booking to confirm the exact last day arrangements.
Alternatively, why not add an extension at one of the many beautiful resorts in the Maldives or even a second liveaboard.
If you would like to add an extension, combine this with another product or tweak the itinerary give us a call so we can discuss your dream diving holiday.
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Orion
MV Orion is the culmination of many years experience diving in the Maldives and has been designed with the diver in mind. The guides and crews are experts in the area with literally thousands of dives between them. Together, the t...
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