Atolls: North Male, Baa, Raa or Lhaviyani, North Ari Atoll

Welcome to Hanifaru Bay, a mesmerizing natural wonder in the Maldives. This marine protected area in the Baa Atoll boasts rich biodiversity and incredible underwater spectacles. Witness the seasonal gathering of manta rays and whale sharks, known as the feeding frenzy, from May to November. Dive into crystal-clear turquoise waters and swim alongside these majestic creatures. Hanifaru Bay is also home to vibrant coral reefs, sea turtles, and diverse marine life. To preserve this sanctuary, responsible tourism practices are enforced. Immerse yourself in this underwater paradise and create unforgettable memories. Experience Hanifaru Bay's captivating beauty and awe-inspiring encounters firsthand.

NORTH MALE ATOLL

• Fish Tank: Directly in front of a fish factory in the North Male Atoll, large schools of stingrays gather again and again, looking for food. Mostly you can find them on a sandy slope with rubble so that you can watch the spectacle easily or if there is current, you can also hook there. You can also find all kinds of moray eels there. If you are lucky, a guitar shark or even a tiger or bull shark will appear.
• Lankan Beyru (Manta Point): The outer reef of the Paradise Island resort, not far from the airport island. The main attraction of the site is manta rays coming to the cleaning station during the southwest monsoon. The dive site is relatively easy to access, with small currents, and is very often considered as a good dive to start the week. The cleaning station itself is a large coral block covered with anemones and full of fish life. It is also very common to come across whitetip reef sharks, turtles, and napoleons.
• Bodu Hithi Thila: Located in the middle of the Kaafu Atoll, with a reef top of 8-10 meters and three bays with sandy bottom between 15-25 meters, this thila is a cleaning and feeding station for mantas from January till May. The site has a long reef with the best diving experience on the southern end and also points to a cave at 17m where nurse sharks can be spotted. The site is mostly ideal for experienced divers.

BAA ATOLL

• Hanifaru Bay: Hanifaru Bay is a sanctuary for people who love snorkeling with manta rays and whale sharks. This UNESCO biosphere reserve in the Maldives is legally designated as a Marine Protected Area. There are strict regulations in place to protect and preserve this amazing wonder. The whale shark and Manta season is from May to December. In this period, plankton gets trapped in the funnel-like reef of Hanifaru Bay and the concentration of plankton attracts whale sharks and schools of manta rays. At any time there could be over a hundred mantas and several whale sharks feeding off the coral reef. This is the world’s largest feeding station known to exist. At Hanifaru Bay you can do snorkeling, but diving is not permitted anymore. At some point, whale sharks and manta populations in Hanifaru Bay went to a drastic drop. The creatures might have been disturbed by human intervention. Hence, the regulations are important to keep this amazing wonder preserved.
• Vaadhoo Thila: This is a medium-sized thila, located east of Dheburidhetherey Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives, surrounded by coral blocks. The fauna in this site is rich and varied, with snappers, tunas, and fusiliers galore. It is also accessible to divers who have experience diving at 20-30 meters and can be explored all year round.
• Dhonfan Thila: Located in the Baa Atoll, with a maximum depth of 30 meters, this site is a small submerged reef that is ranked as one of the best dive sites in the Baa Atoll. It could be a moderately difficult dive, depending on the current conditions. Divers can explore schooling fusiliers and snappers, and have the chance to experience mantas during the SouthWest monsoon. Sharks can also be seen from time to time on the top reef.

NOONU ATOLL

• Orimas Thila: Located five kilometers west of Felivaru Island is a must-see for divers visiting Noonu Atoll. This dive site hosts a cleaning station for gray reef sharks and eagle rays. This site is also accessible throughout the year and is relatively deep, requiring a fast descent. Therefore, it is one of the most ideal sites for divers who are used to fast descents.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Embarkation
Guests will be met at the airport by our crew and transferred to the ship. Upon arrival, enjoy a warm welcome and briefing by the Cruise Director. This will be followed by cabin assignments and a ship orientation. Guests will have time to settle in, set up their equipment, and get acquainted with the vessel before departure.

Days 2–10: Diving Adventure
Each day offers 2–3 exciting dives, with night dives available when conditions permit.

Day 11: Final Dive
Enjoy one last morning dive before beginning equipment drying and preparation for disembarkation.

Day 12: Disembarkation
Check-out and transfer to the airport or onward destination.

(*) the itinerary description provided by the boat operator.

Marine life: Discover the vibrant marine life of the North Male, Baa, Raa, and Lhaviyani Atolls, featuring manta rays, whale sharks, stingrays, whitetip reef sharks, and turtles. Dive into these crystal-clear waters for unforgettable underwater encounters.

The last dive will be on the penultimate day of the trip. Divers are recommended to wait for 24 hours before flying after the last dive.

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.