Scuba Travel run the Deep South Southern Sharks itinerary when the season is the best for the ultimate big fish sightings.

Embarkation
On alternating week this itinerary will start and end in different points (ie run in reverse). Please check your exact start and end points for each individual trip at the time of booking.

Emperor fleet itineraries will usually combine Male, Huavadhoo, Laamu or Gaan.

Carpe Vita, Carpe Novo & Carpe Diem usually operate between Male and Gaan or visa versa

Trip Duration
The Deep South Southern Sharks trips run for 7, 9, 10 or 11 nights 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. The exact number of dives 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 catch your internal flight down to Huvadhoo/Laamu/Gaan. On arrival in your final destination you will be met and taken to the boat. Where possible we will try to ensure that your transfer times are kept to a minimum. If your domestic flight is at the end of your trip, these arrangements will be made in reverse.

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 Deep South Southern Sharks 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.

Male to Huvadhoo
As you sail from Male, you will typically stop at Meemu, Thaa and Laamu en route. Meemu is especially good for coral filled channel dives and there is a manta cleaning station at approx 14m. Thaa is know for the hammerhead dives and dolphins.

Huvadhoo
Huvadhoo is brilliant location for sharks. There are drift dives one after the other and normally around 4 different kind of pelagic sharks. Eagle rays are also common in this area. The Maldives in general is great for large schools of fish including snapper, barracuda and the smaller reef fish. Turtles, napoleons and morays are regular sightings on many dive sites. The boat will usually anchor at a whaleshark spot and there is an outstanding night dive at the Hyatt house reef.

Foammulah to Gaan
Foammulah is perhaps the least dived of all the sites - this area is only visited on itineraries that start/finish in Gaan. The diving is focused on the excellent chances to see larger sharks and hammerheads. Of all the locations, this is the most challenging and currents can be fast but the rewards are well worth it! The viz here is excellent and there are always loads of grey reefs sharks. As the end of your trip nears, there is a chance to dive with manta near Gaan - an excellent end to your trip!

Experience levels
These suit experienced divers with a minimum of 100 dives as there is a strong focus on drift diving.
On some dives the recommended depth is below 18m therefore advanced or Deep Diver training is advised. Unpredictable and strong currents are to be expected in certain areas. If the Cruise Director feels some dives are too challenging, you may be asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives. All diving is from dhonis 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.

If you have a domestic flight at the end of your trip, you will need to catch a flight down from Gaan/Laamu/Huvadhoo to Male (or visa versa). Please do speak to the travel consultant at the time of booking to confirm the exact last day arrangements.