Sharktastic is a special itinerary packed with sharks, manta and whalesharks. Focusing on Male as well as Vaavu, Meemu and South Ari atolls, this seasonal itinerary has been designed with plenty of big fish action as you visit the Maldives' famous channel and wall dives. Hop your way through these picture perfect atolls, diving with pelagics all the way.
The adventure starts in Male with a check dive and then the channels await. These are fast moving drift dives. Descend, hook in and watch the sharks swirl around you. Keep your eyes peeled as you never know what kind of shark will pass. Grey reef and white tips are plentiful but hammerheads often make an appearance... divine! Once the dive is over simply let go and drift through the channel. Many have stunning soft corals. There are even a couple of wreck dives! The boat then moves into Meemu, where the manta come to play. The Maldives are famed for their manta cleaning stations and watching these graceful rays swoop in to be cleaned is an experience to treasure. The pelagic sightings are not over yet though! The boat's final stop is at whaleshark central, Maamagili in South Ari. The best encounters are snorkelling so grab your gear and come face to face with the world's biggest sharks.
Emperor will sail to South Male, Vaavu, South Ari and Meemu Atoll.
Carpe offer a Best of the Maldives + Meemu itinerary which visits North Male, Rasdhoo, North Ari, South Ari, Meemu, Vaavu and South Male.
This is a diverse itinerary with plenty to keep pelagic lovers happy. 30 dives is the suggested minimum number of dives for this route, and you should be comfortable with drift diving. 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.
Carpe Diem combines superb service, exceptional diving and on board comfort at affordable prices. If it's mantas, whalesharks and speedy drift dives you are looking for, then jump aboard Carpe Diem for a voyage through the beautif... Learn more about Carpe Diem
Carpe Novo is a luxury liveaboard built by divers for divers. From the moment you step on board, you know you're in for an incredible trip, where your every whim is catered for. Lovingly crafted, no detail has been overlooked. ... Learn more about Carpe Novo
Carpe Vita is a well loved and popular liveaboard with divers and snorkelers, combing great value with on board expertise. At a generous 38m of living space, 20 guests can enjoy the best the Maldives has to offer with a crew that ... Learn more about Carpe Vita
Launched in the Autumn of 2019, Emperor Explorer sees 2 world class fleets combine their knowledge and expertise into one stunning liveaboard. Offering contemporary and spacious accommodation, she will wow with the excellent servi... Learn more about Emperor Explorer
Virgo sleeps only 18 divers over 35m, which has made her popular with those that prefer smaller groups on board. All diving is from the 17m support dhoni. Cruise the heavenly atolls of Male and Ari without it costing the earth, o... Learn more about Emperor Virgo
Emperor Voyager is an affordable value Maldives liveaboard for 20 divers with free nitrox with Emperor fleet. She was fully refurbished in 2024, to create a modern looking choice for anyone on a budget that values comfort and styl... Learn more about Emperor Voyager
The Sharktastic itinerary only runs when the shark sightings are at their seasonal best - book today to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited.
Embarkation
Emperor fleet will embark for the sharktastic from Male to include typically South Ari, South Male, Vaavu and Meemu atols. Carpe will sail from Male and visit North Male, Rasdhoo, North Ari, South Ari, Meemu, Vaavu and South Male.
Trip Duration
All of our Sharktastic trips run for 7 - 10 nights with the whole time 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.
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.
Seasonal changes
This is a seasonal itinerary run only when the shark sightings are at their best.
Male
Channel dives in the Maldives are made for shark spotting. Here the key dive sites include Kandu Oiy Giri (Fish Factory) and Lankan Manta Point.
Vaavu Atoll
Enjoy a sunset or night dive joining the resident nurse sharks at the famous Alimatha dive sight.
Meemu
Enjoy exciting drifts through the channels that surround Meemu Atoll. Visit Kurali Kandu whch offers Manta Ray sightings during the North East Monsoon. Muli Corner is where you will find beautiful overhangs and a sloping plateau home to sweetlips, turtles and white tip sharks. With the incoming current during north east monsoon a lot of sharks can be seen here, while with the outgoing currents during southwest monsoon the plateau welcomes Mantas.
South Ari
South Ari is best known for the whalesharks that congregate around Maamagili. The best and closest encounters are snorkelling.
Rasdhoo atoll
Here you have a chance of shark action, on a beautiful reef wall.
North Ari Atoll
The famous North Ari atoll is one of the classic, all time great Maldives atolls. 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.
Experience levels
Not suitable for beginner divers. We recommend 30 logged dives as there is a strong current on drift diving. On some dives the recommended depth is below 18m therefore advanced or Deep Diver training to 30 meters 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. 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.
We would be more than happy to help you. Our travel advisors are at your service to help you.
01483 411590Tour Operator of the Year for 12 years - Voted by you!
For 100% financial protection and peace of mind
Before during and after your holiday. 24hr contact support
