Our Far North itineraries offer an experience like no other. This unique adventure takes you to remote tropical spots where you can witness the extraordinary gatherings of manta rays in Hanifaru Bay.

For the first time, our northern season features a distinct route in this remote region: the brand-new Far Far North journey, offering a different way to experience the Maldives’ wildest frontier.

In 2026, Scubaspa returns to the farthest reaches of the Maldives with six weeks of carefully timed cruises designed for divers who crave something beyond the ordinary. These 2 special itineraries include iconic sites like Hanifaru Bay, renowned for its manta ray gatherings, but also venture into rarely visited atolls.

Untouched by mass tourism, rich in marine life, and bursting with biodiversity, this route is crafted for those who love the Maldives and want to explore its outer edges.

The northern atolls present a striking variety of underwater seascapes, from towering pinnacles to hidden canyons, overhangs, and channels. Each site is adorned with vibrant coral formations and alive with marine life.

Above the surface, calm waters give way to scattered sandbanks and secluded islands, perfect spots to relax in vast, shallow lagoons that are likely to be ours alone.

Sample Itinerary 

Day 1: Dharavandhoo | Embarkation & Check Dive
Arrive in Dharavandhoo and board the liveaboard. After welcome drinks, safety and dive briefings, and equipment setup, enjoy a relaxed check dive on a nearby reef. Begin your journey north toward Baa Atoll.

Day 2 – 7:

• Baa Atoll | Hanifaru Bay & Reefs
  Dive and snorkel in the world-renowned Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, for seasonal manta ray encounters—a highlight of the trip. Additional dives showcase healthy reefs, abundant fish, and vibrant coral gardens.
  
  
• Lhaviyani Atoll | Channel Dives
  Explore Lhaviyani Atoll, famous for strong channels and exciting currents. Dive sites are teeming with grey reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, and schools of barracuda, alongside dramatic coral formations and pinnacles.
  
  
• Noonu Atoll | Overhangs & Wildlife
  Enjoy dives in Noonu Atoll, with overhangs, ridges, and pinnacles alive with movement and color. Expect reef sharks, turtles, and schooling fish, along with macro life for those seeking smaller underwater wonders.
  
  
• Shaviyani Atoll | Remote Exploration
  Head further north into Shaviyani Atoll, where dive sites remain largely uncharted. Discover manta cleaning stations, caves, and thriving reefs in pristine waters. Each dive offers a sense of adventure and exploration in largely untouched areas.
  
  
• Haa Dhaal & Haa Alif Atolls | Frontier Diving
  Explore the far northern atolls of Haa Dhaal and Haa Alif. Encounter rare species such as bowmouth and shovelnose guitar sharks, manta cleaning stations, and wild reefs. Every dive feels like a new discovery in this remote frontier.
  
  
• Local Island Visits & Diving
  Combine diving with cultural exploration, visiting quiet northern islands such as Utheemu, rich in history and local traditions. Continue diving in nearby reefs, where the waters remain pristine and largely untouched by tourism.

Day 8: Hanimaadhoo | Final Dives & Disembarkation
Complete your final dives in the far northern Maldives before returning to Hanimaadhoo for disembarkation. Transfer via domestic flight to Malé, concluding your Far Far North adventure.

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.

• 1x Hanifaru Bay permit included per guest.
• Snorkeling in Hanifaru Bay replaces one scheduled dive.
• Additional entries are possible at an extra cost.
• Domestic flights required.
• Itineraries are weather and wildlife-dependent.