Join Dune Black Manta Liveaboard on an unforgettable journey through the North Atolls Discovery of the Maldives, where pristine coral reefs and abundant marine life await. Dive into the crystal-clear waters of North Male Atoll, Rasdhoo Atoll, and Baa Atoll, where you'll encounter manta rays, whale sharks, and vibrant schools of reef fish, making these sites some of the most stunning in the region.

In North Male Atoll, experience the excitement of diving at famous sites with dramatic drop-offs, colorful coral gardens, and the occasional sighting of reef sharks. Explore Rasdhoo Atoll, known for its pelagic encounters, and dive into Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where manta rays gather in large numbers during the season, creating a breathtaking underwater spectacle.

Beyond diving, relax on board with Dune Black Manta Massage, unwind on secluded beaches, and immerse yourself in the local Maldivian culture. This expedition combines world-class diving with relaxation and cultural exploration, offering a truly memorable experience in the Maldives' North Atolls Discovery.

Itinerary Sample:

Day 1: Male

Dune Representative will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Manager's welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening, and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé Marina. Check-in 3:00 pm.

*Free airport pick up at 3:00 pm and meeting point at Male airport (Burger King) only, no hotel pick-up.
*We can arrange early check-in with an extra fee per person and pick-up time at 10:00 am at Male airport.

Day 2 & 3: North Male to Baa Atolls

The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll. At only 15 m depth, you can have a chance to start the trip
watching mantas looping on their cleaning stations. Corals are also abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. Baa Atoll was declared a UNESCO World Biosphere back in June 2011. It's amazing reefs of Baa offer a wide variety of marine life, ranging from small fish and turtles to the giant filter feeders, mantas, and whale sharks. Walls and thilas full of hard and soft corals, plateaus, overhangs, pinnacles, and swim-throughs are all yours to explore. The famous Hanifaru Bay, located on the eastern side of Baa Atoll, is one of the marine protected areas. From August to November, both whale sharks and manta rays aggregate here to devour the zooplankton blooms brought by the southwest monsoon. By regulation, only snorkeling is allowed here, but there are many fascinating dive sites for your delight just nearby.

Day 4: Raa Atolls

The cruise will move up to the Raa Atoll. More thilas and giri will be the place to be to discover an exceptional variety of parrotfish, unicorn fish, gobies, basslets, and fusiliers, along with jacks, tunas, stingrays, and napoleon wrasses. Cruising north to explore the relatively unknown and vibrant reefs. Here, you will encounter more pelagic fish, such as eagle rays, marble rays, grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and even guitar sharks.

Day 5: Shaviyani Atoll

Back from the far North, you will dive in the beautiful Shaviyani Atoll. Take a closer look at the dazzling reefs and encounter guitar sharks, eagle rays, and schools of batfish. When night falls, you will be invited to go ashore and indulge yourself in the barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island. Flourishing soft corals and anemone gardens are famous here. The water is filled with nutrients and allows the presence and growth of rich marine life, which in turn attracts its predators as well. Black tip reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, leopard sharks, and guitar sharks can be found feeding on smaller fish.

Day 6: Noonu Atoll

You will dive at Christmas Tree Rock, a pinnacle shaped like a Christmas tree. Its layered ledges and plateaus, covered in vibrant soft corals—especially in shades of pink—create a breathtaking underwater landscape. 

Day 7 & 8: Lhaviyani

Here you will not only find wall dives, but also current swept channels full of sharks, including grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, and black tip reef sharks. Keep looking in the blue and you will often see tunas, barracudas, as well as eagle rays. Going back in time to the 80s, you will dive on two ships. One of them dramatically protrudes through the surface. Both wrecks are covered in hard and soft corals and full of fish life. Exploring the Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to a nearby island just before dinner.

Day 9 & 10: North Male

In North Male Atoll, you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, and colorful corals with prolific marine and reef life once again. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon, you will come back to Hulhumale Marina to spend your last night on board and debrief about our fabulous encounters with Mantas.

Day 11: Male

The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and book accommodations. Time to come back home with fantastic memories!
Check-out 8:00 am.

Embark on a breathtaking underwater adventure through the North Atolls of the Maldives, where every dive reveals a vibrant world teeming with marine life. From the manta cleaning stations of North Malé and the whale shark gatherings of Baa Atoll to the shark-filled channels of Lhaviyani, this journey offers encounters with the ocean’s most graceful giants and dazzling coral gardens bursting with color. Explore thriving reefs alive with turtles, parrotfish, and eagle rays, drift past walls adorned in pink soft corals, and discover hidden wrecks now home to schools of reef fish. The North Atolls Discovery is a true celebration of the Maldives’ rich and diverse marine ecosystem—an unforgettable experience for every ocean lover.

Dune Touch Event

The Dune Touch Event is an exclusive onboard evening event included in the Dune Liveaboard program, which offers guests a unique cultural experience on board.

Guests are invited to bring a small snack or culinary specialty from their home country to be shared with other passengers. Drinks are provided, and the event is designed to encourage cultural exchange, creating a gourmet gathering in a relaxed and festive setting.

Gala attire is recommended. Guests are advised to check the regulations of their country regarding any food items that may not be permitted in their luggage.

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.