2) SOUTH – “ THE BEST 5” MALÈ to THAA atoll
ON THE WAY TO THE FAR SOUTH
3 Dives per Day / Guided Snorkeling – Free Nitrox – Excursions – Underwater Scooters on Board
Suitable for: Divers and Non-DiversA 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
Both routes offer unforgettable dive spots and snorkeling experience in one of 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.
Experience the unforgettable thrill of swimming with whale sharks at night, drawn by the plankton beneath the boat. Stunning caves, vibrant soft coral formations, sea fans, black coral, and impressive gorgonians structures- a true paradise for divers seeking beauty and adventure.
The journey concludes with a scenic flight offering breathtaking views of the islands you've just explored.
CRUISES can last a week or be extended for longer, allowing exploration of the itinerary based on the time available.
TOP DIVE SITES DEPENDING ON THE “RED OR BLUE” ROUTE
Nerumathi (Malè north Atoll) RED & BLUE route
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 south Atoll) RED & BLUE route
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) BLUE route
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.
Alimatha & Dhiggiri Area (Vaavu Atoll) BLUE route
Experience unforgettable thrills with nurse sharks in the Maldives – from the magic of the night to the beauty of the day!
Get ready for a spectacular night dive at Alimatha, in Vaavu Atoll, where, as darkness falls, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking close encounter with dozens of nurse sharks, stingrays, blacktip sharks and jacks in a mesmerizing underwater dance. The lights of the torches attract these majestic creatures, creating a thrilling yet safe show of shadows and movement, perfect for experienced divers and thrill-seekers alike!
BY DAY, don’t miss the dive or snorkeling session at Dhiggiri, another outstanding site where nurse sharks and large stingrays glide peacefully over sandy bottoms, offering unforgettable close-up encounters in the full glow of daylight. It’s the perfect setting to admire their graceful beauty in a relaxed and stunning environment.
Two unforgettable dives, two different ways to discover the wonderful marine life of the Maldives!
Mulaku Kandu (Mulaku/Meemu Atoll) BLUE route
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) BLUE route
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.
Kuda Rah Thila (Ari Atoll) RED route
This protected site is considered the most beautiful in the archipelago due to its exceptional diving conditions. Kudarah Thila consists of a main thila which has shallower peaks on each side and a tunnel that runs through the deeper coral ridge on the western side. You'll also find two very interesting, detached blocks north of the main reef. The site's major overhangs are located on the east side of the main reef.
Kudarah Thila is covered in soft corals and is home to many species such as flatworms, snappers, jackfish, and batfish. You can start the exploration with the two detached blocks or the wide overhangs of the east side of the reef, then explore the central part of the pinnacle and end with the two lower reefs.
Fish Head (Ari Atoll) RED route
Marine protected area, featuring a flat-topped underwater tower that soars from the atoll floor to just 10 meters below the surface. Here divers can admire a large school of grey reef sharks, surrounded by a magnificent coral reef and a myriad of marine life.
The seamount with coral walls and caverns rich with gorgonians and branches of black coral can be circled in a single dive if the current is gentle.
Grey reef sharks tend to gather on the side that faces the current, offering divers thrilling, close-up encounters.
What makes Fish Head truly stand out from other dive sites is the chance to observe these magnificent predators at very close range and it’s a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an intense underwater adventure.
Maamigili “Whale Sharks” (Ari Atoll) RED route
Discover the unique thrill of swimming alongside the gentle giants of the ocean!
South Ari Atoll, one of the Maldives’ most renowned locations, offers you the unforgettable chance to dive or snorkel with magnificent whale sharks, in an exciting experience designed for divers and snorkelers of all levels.
At selected sites, you can also experience the magic of night encounters: powerful lights placed at the stern of the boat attract the whale sharks, creating breathtaking close-up sightings beneath a starlit sky.
A magical adventure awaits you in the crystal-clear waters of South Ari!
Jumping Jack (Faafu Atoll) RED route
This site is located on the northeastern edge of Faafu Atoll, along a series of relatively shallow channels where outer-reef meets the open sea.
Divers swim from one thila (submerged pinnacle) to another, often encountering large schools of tuna, eagle rays and reef sharks in blue-water drifts. Because the area has only been recently developed for diving, it has a pioneering feel: fewer crowds, pristine reef conditions, strong sense of exploration.
Filitheyo Kandu (Faafu Atoll) RED route
Filitheyo Kandu is a wide channel (about two kilometres) in Faafu Atoll comprising three main sections: “Filitheyo Thila”, “Filitheyo Outside” and “Dolphin Corner”.
At Dolphin Corner you can expect sightings of grey reef sharks, eagle rays and large schools of reef fish while drifting through the channel. Filitheyo Outside offers picturesque patch-coral reef on the edge of the channel, quieter pace, good for underwater photography.
Maa Kandu (Dhaalu Atoll) RED route
Maa Kandu is one of the signature dives in Dhaalu Atoll: a channel dive with drop-offs, depth ranging ~15-30m. Highlights include grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracudas and large schools of fish sweeping past reef walls covered in soft corals and sea-fans.
Because of the current strength and topography, this site suits intermediate to advanced divers looking for pelagic action and dramatic underwater scenery.
Vaanee Corner (Dhaalu Atoll) RED route
It’s a Channel / drift dive with depth around 10–25 metres (33–82 ft).
It's possible to meet Grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, turtles, stingrays, tuna, trevallies, and a healthy variety of corals and pelagic life. It’s special because Vaanee Corner combines striking underwater scenery with the thrill of encountering big marine species. The channel’s currents bring nutrient-rich water, attracting schooling fish and predators — perfect for photographers and adventure-seeking divers.
Olhugiri Kandu (Thaa Atoll) RED & BLUE route
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) RED & BLUE route
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!
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.
