This itinerary combines some of the best and most famous dive sites from our Best of Maldives and Hanifaru & North itineraries, creating a trip with highlights from what is generally referred to as the ‘Northern Atolls’ and it delivers precisely that.

A diverse marine mix of reef animals, hard and soft corals, abundant macro life, turtles, manta rays, and various sharks await where you can get up close at the cleaning stations without disturbing the locals.

North Male offers the renowned Lankan manta point, Kandu Oiy Giri (Fish factory), and action-packed Finger Point Reef. North Ari offers one of the best-known dive sites, Fish Head. For a chance of regular grey reef shark sightings, it’s a visit to Rasdhoo Atoll in North Ari. Our extended 10-night trips include the best chances for whale shark and manta encounters in South Ari Atoll.

Although diving is not permitted in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hanifaru Bay, we can go in and snorkel with these gentle giants in the lagoon. After a manta has enjoyed its feed it needs to get cleaned, so we take you to known manta cleaning stations in North Male and Baa Atoll. Hopefully, these will give you sightings all week long. Of course, sightings cannot be guaranteed but diving at this time means your chances are high.

Important:

Check Dive & Depart Male
Once onboard there will be a safety briefing, crew introduction, complete and check dive paperwork, cabin allocation, and boat orientation. Our boats moor in port on arrival day departing early the next morning. The first dive is a check dive near the port. Following the first dive, we depart from Male port and commence the Northern Highlights itinerary.

Return to Male & Optional Land Visit
On the last diving day, 1 dive is available in the morning whilst observing the rule of no diving within 24 hours of reaching altitude. We return to the port at approximately 1 pm and move here overnight. There is the option of an afternoon land visit to stretch your legs and escape the boat whilst in port. Evening-time packs up diving equipment and settles any outstanding bills ready to depart for the airport at 7 am the following morning.

(*) itinerary description provided by the boat operator.

Northern Highlights Itinerary summary:

• Timed with new & full moon phases during July through to October for best chances of Manta and whale shark action in South Ari Atoll.
• Chance to snorkel the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hanifaru Bay.
• Visit known manta cleaning stations in both North Male and Baa Atoll.
• North Ari offers one of the best-known dive sites, Fish Head and Rasdhoo Atoll for regular grey reef shark sightings
• Diverse marine mix of reef animals, hard and soft corals, abundant macro life, and turtles.

All experience levels plus snorkeller/non-diver friendly. You don't need a minimum number of dives to join this trip, but you should be comfortable diving in current as they can be unpredictable and strong. 

Sample itineraries and maps are for illustrative purposes only. The exact route and sites visited are subject to change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics, and are at the Captain’s discretion.