SOUTH – “THE BEST 5“ MALÈ to LAAMU atoll
ON THE WAY TO THE FAR SOUTH

Itinerary 1 : Male North atoll – Male South –– Vaavu – Meemu - Thaa – Laamu

Suitable for: Divers and Non-Divers
3 Dives per Day / Guided Snorkeling – Free Nitrox – Excursions – Underwater Scooters on Board

A cruise between pristine atolls and an exciting return flight, flying over the archipelago.
To avoid long periods of increasingly prohibitive holidays, the cruise takes place in a week offering you the opportunity to discover 5 different atolls: Departing from Male and crossing the atolls of South Male - Felidhoo - Mulaku - Thaa and Laamu or vice versa.
An unforgettable diving and snorkeling experience in one oof the Maldives’ most remarkable areas, offering the change to explore spectacular channels known for encounters with large pelagic species. The dive site are dynamic and ever-changing, featuring dramatic underwater landscape.
Except stunning caves, vibrant soft coral formations, sea fans, black coral, and impressive gorgonians structures- a true paradise for divers seeking beauty and adventure.

Also for SNORKELING LOVERS
In this cruise the chances of meeting some amazing creatures are very high. The pleasant temperature of the water (around 28 /30° C all year round) invites you to swim in this splendid sea for a long time. At the corners of the channels, it is easy, even while snorkeling, to have exciting encounters with large pelagic.
You'll find stunning coral formations, encounters with turtles, and a dazzling variety of reef fish. A paradise for those who love the sea and want to experience nature up close.

RECOMMENDED PERIOD: but available year-round)
The Laamu cruise is offered by us all year round but the best time for weather conditions, currents and water visibility is definitely our winter during the northeast monsoons (December-May),ITINERARIES (Place this section near the map)The SOUTH MALÉ and FELIDHOO (Vaavu) Atolls are the first to impress, with spectacular channel dives, big pelagic, and rich coral reefs full of both hard and soft corals. Sites such as Neru Mathi, Kandooma Thila, Miyaru Kandu, Fotteyo, and Bakeedhoo are just a few highlights that amaze even the most seasoned divers and snorkelers.
The tiny VATTARU ATOLL is another hidden gem offering beautiful caves, soft corals, Sea fans, black coral, leopard sharks, stingrays, and an untouched sandbank – perfect for both adventure seekers and those looking to relax in close contact with nature.

THE MEEMU (Mulaku) ATOLL feature famous channels opening like terraces into the ocean, dropping off steeply beyond 100 meters. Dives here follow vertical walls adorned with massive gorgonians and spectacular coral structures. Ocean corners offer thrilling sightings of large tuna, sharks, and barracuda, while gentle currents lead into the atolls where turtles and a rich diversity of reef fish await.
THAA ATOLL stands out for the unique structure of its channels: shallow ledges that attract pelagic species like grey reef and whitetip sharks, jacks and barracuda, as well as extraordinary coral formations and reef fish.
At night, Thaa offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience: snorkeling with WHALE SHARKS drawn to the plankton attracted by the boat’s stern lights. Anchored inside the atoll, swimming next to these “gentle giants” will be unforgettable.
Often accompanied by dolphins and occasionally pilot whales, and with breathtaking sunsets over the sea, the cruise continues to LAAMU ATOLL, far from traditional tourist routes. Here, the diving is exclusive and diverse: channels with different characteristics, encounters with various shark species, eagle rays, jacks, and—inside the lagoon—leopard and nurse sharks resting on the seabed or hiding among corals.

At the end of the cruise, a DOMESTIC FLIGHT will take participants back to Malé, flying over the very atolls they’ve just explored—a breathtaking end to a truly unforgettable adventure.

CRUISES can last a week or be extended for longer, allowing exploration of the itinerary based on the time available.

TOP DIVE SITES IN THE BEST 5 OF THE MALDIVES – SOUTH

Nerumathi (Malè north Atoll)
Also known as “Shark Tank,” is a popular dive site located at the entrance of Hulhumalé harbor, near the capital. It’s particularly famous for close encounters with various species of sharks, including TIGER sharks, BLACKTIP oceanic, HAMMERHEAD, Bull Shark, Lemon, SPINNER shark and Guitarfish.
The dive depth ranges from about 8 meters to over 30 meters and the visibility is usually good, especially during the dry season.
In addition to the thrilling shark encounters, Nerumathi offers another truly spectacular sight: the high concentration of stingrays passing through the area.
Divers are often treated to the breathtaking view of dozens—sometimes even hundreds—of rays gliding gracefully in the currents, creating an unforgettable underwater ballet 

Kandhooma (Malè Atoll) 
This dive site was ranked 10th in the world for shark diving.
This beautiful thila is located at the bottom of a channel, with the hat at about 14mt that drops to about 40m on all sides. The eastern and northern slopes are the most interesting with numerous overhangs and colorful soft corals. The numerous species you can spot include large schools of fish, sea eagles, white tip sharks, green turtles, and gray sharks. This dive site is accessible all year round with both currents coming in and out of the atoll.

Miyaru Kandu (Vaavu/Felidhoo Atoll) 
The entire channel and surrounding area have been declared a marine protected area and offer an extraordinary place to explore the region’s rich ocean life. The area consists of the main channel, teeming with marine biodiversity, where a wide variety of ocean species can be observed.
The name “Miyaru” itself comes from Dhivehi and means “shark”, so it’s no surprise to witness—especially along the drop-off—a breathtaking spectacle of passing grey reef sharks, majestic eagle rays, schools of jacks, and a wide range of pelagic fish.

Mulaku Kandu (Mulaku/Meemu Atoll)
It is a dive site in the first channel northeast of Meemu Atoll.

The channel is narrow and is located at 25 m, but it is possible to cross it if the current is not too strong. The bottom of the entrance is sandy and there are some rays, along with white tip sharks. Gray reef sharks, tuna and great barracudas can flock to the entrance. For the early morning, hammerhead sharks can sometimes be seen. Many turtles can also be seen inside the canal along the wall.

Gaahuraa Kandu (Mulaku/Meemu Atoll)
Gaahuraa is a stunning dive site known for its vibrant coral formations and rich marine life. The site features a sloping reef that transitions into a wall, often swept by gentle to moderate currents—ideal for drift dives. Divers can expect encounters with grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and schools of snappers and fusiliers. The coral cover is healthy and colorful, with abundant soft yellow and white corals and gorgonians. This site offers both beauty and excitement, making it a favorite for underwater photographers and experienced divers alike.

Olhugiri Kandu (Thaa Atoll)
Going down to the Thaa atoll, the diving points are characterized by passes with steps that are not very deep. The morphology of this atoll is quiet particular. On the steps of the passes you can find the concentration of pelagic fish such as gray sharks, white fin, clouds of jackfish, barracuda while on the corners you will be able to see coral formations of considerable importance, covered by reef fish. At the pass of Olugiri with a very particular morphology, having the step interrupted by a shoal rich in life with caves covered with beautiful sea fans and alcionari is one of the most beautiful points.

Whale Shark Point (Thaa Atoll)
in Thaa we also have a couple of spectacular sites, which have the particularity of attracting - at night - specimens of whale sharks who come here to hunt for food. Whale sharks, in fact, love to feast in shallow waters that are rich in plankton, which often coincide with the interior of the lagoons of the coral atolls. During the evening and at night, it will be most exciting to dive simply with a mask and snorkel and swim next to these "masters of the sea", keeping them company during the most interesting moment of their day!

Fushi Kandu (Laamu Atoll)
It’s a dive site in the first northern channel on the eastern reef of Laamu atoll. Considered one of the most beautiful dive sites in the archipelago, it is home to a wide variety of species: gray sharks, silver tips and in some cases tiger sharks, barracudas and eagle rays, as well as schools of fish such as fusiliers, jacks and snappers. The best way to see sharks is to stay in the blue on the step line to see sharks in drift.

Mundhoo Kandu (Laamu Atoll)
This pass offers beautiful coral formations on both corners. Amazing channel full of life. The channel has a double step, the first on 25 meters, the second between 35 and 40 meters. With the current coming in possibility of seeing pelagic fish in particular gray sharks and white tip sharks.

Hithadu Corner (Laamu Atoll)
Manta rays are here all year round, although numbers are highest during the two mating seasons from October to November and then again from April to May.

FOR FISHING ENTHUSIASTS
This itinerary is also perfect for fishing groups: LUXURY YACHT MALDIVES organizes cruises dedicated to big game and trolling, targeting sailfish, marlin, kingfish, and barracuda.
Fishing conditions also depend on the two monsoon seasons, so routes are chosen to maximize the ideal sea conditions.
Each day includes thrilling fishing sessions – trolling, deep drop, vertical jigging, and spinning – in a breathtaking natural setting.