Visit the famous north Male atoll in the Maldives as well as the northern atolls on Baa and Lhaviyani on a single itinerary, which has been carefully timed around the New Moon phases July-October to try to optimise your chances of plankton feeder and pelagic sightings. Snorkel at the world famous Hanifaru Bay as well as exhilarating dives.
The goal of this itinerary is to follow the plankton streams, which are at their most dense around the new moons. This will hopefully bring you closer to the famous manta and whalesharks that visit the reefs Thanks to the currents that sweep plankton into the shallow lagoons, mantas follow in vast numbers to feed. Although diving is not permitted in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hanifaru Bay (local fee applies) you are allowed to snorkel with these beautiful beasts in the lagoon.
After a manta has had its feed it needs to get cleaned, which means dives at the known manta cleaning stations in both North Male, Lhaviyani and Baa Atoll can also be perfect places for additional sightings, as they loop and hover overhead. Of course, sightings can't be guaranteed but this itinerary is structured to try to optimise your chances.
Hanifaru and North itinerary does more than just look for manta. Dive the famous drift at Kuredu Express, and come face to face with turtles at Kuredu Caves. As well as mantas, you can get close to turtles, grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks. The thila dives are beautiful, with clouds of butterfly fish, red tooth trigger fish and banner fish. The colourful soft corals are nestled between sea fans. Travellay and barracuda zip along the reef, feasting on the smaller fish.
Dive sites and areas mentioned on our itineraries are not guaranteed. They are subject to change based on weather conditions and are at the discretion of the cruise director/captain. This is to ensure you are provided the best sightings and activities possible during your dive experience while also prioritising safety.
Suitable for all experience levels. No minimum number of dives needed to join this trip but you should be comfortable diving in currents as they can be unpredictable and strong. Many dives are below 18 meters therefore it's recommended having advanced experience and qualified to 30 meters. Divers may find some dives challenging and maybe asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. Diving is from a Dhoni to give precise entry and exit points.
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Emperor run the Hanifaru and North itinerary around the moon phases, so there is always a trip to suit!
We cannot of course guarantee manta sightings. However, our experienced boat operators run this itinerary only in the months when mantas are most likely to be in the lagoons. If the currents are running the wrong way, and manta are not in the lagoons, there are good chances that the rays will be found on nearby reefs, which will be offered as alternative dives.
Embarkation
Emperor fleet embark and disembark for Hanifaru and North at Male.
Trip Duration
All of our Hanifaru and North 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. You are only allowed to snorkel in Hanifaru Bay, so a dive may be substituted to spend time in the lagoon when the manta are present.
Arrival
If your trip departs from Male you will be met on arrival from your international flight and taken directly to the boat. This is a short boat transfer and takes approx 20 mins.
North Male
North Male is a great place to get your toes wet at Beautiful Pinnacles. There is a chance to find your first manta at Lankan manta point.
Baa atoll
There is a local charge for snorkelling at Hanifaru - the park fee of 20 USD pp for 45 minutes of snorkelling (diving is not allowed), which must be paid directly to the park rangers. This is an incredible natural phenomenon and whalesharks are often also found, following the plankton into the lagoon.
Lhaviyani atoll
The diving is Lhaviyani is diverse. The Kuredu Express is a famous site, and when the current is running, it can be an exhilarating and speedy drift dive. Kuredu Caves is a hang out site for turtles, who swim on and off the many ledges and over hangs that pepper the wall. Fushivaru Thila can be another great location for manta, but also home to large schools of snappers, sweet lips and butterfly fish.
Experience levels
Suitable for all experience levels. No minimum number of dives needed to join this trip but you should be comfortable diving in currents as they can be unpredictable and strong. Many dives are below 18 meters therefore it's recommended having advanced experience and qualified to 30 meters. Divers may find some dives challenging and maybe asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience. Diving is from a Dhoni to give precise entry and exit points.
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.
We would be more than happy to help you. Our travel advisors are at your service to help you.
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