“THE NORTH ITINERARY”to Baa ( Hanifaru Bay) & Raa Atolls
Discover the Magic of a Diving Cruise in the North of the Maldives

Unique Expedition in the Maldives: A Journey Among Giant Mantas and Extraordinary Marine Biodiversity

3 Dives per Day / Guided Snorkeling – Free Nitrox – Excursions – Underwater Scooters on Board

THE MAP provides a general outline of the route across the northern atolls, but each itinerary is designed to remain flexible. Routes may vary from week to week, adapting to weather conditions, sea currents, and—most importantly—where the most exceptional marine life encounters are taking place at that moment.

This dynamic approach ensures that every expedition is truly unique, carefully crafted to maximize the quality of each dive and to deliver the best possible experience both in and out of the water.

This expedition is carefully designed to coincide with the most favorable monsoon winds and lunar cycles, which strongly influence the movements and feeding behavior of reef manta rays.
The goal of this journey is to encounter these incredible feeding aggregations and offer guests the unforgettable experience of being surrounded by these gentle giants in action.
The cruise departs from Malé and begins with the first dive at the renowned MANTA Cleaning Station at Lankan Manta Point, a spectacular site known for its high chances of close encounters with manta rays.

From here, the itinerary develops northward through a series of atolls—Ari North, Rasdhoo, Goidhoo,—offering a rich variety of dive sites, vibrant coral reefs, and thriving marine ecosystems. Along the way, encounters with sharks, eagle rays, and large pelagic species are all part of this exceptional experience.

The journey culminates in Baa & Raa Atoll, located off the main routes. We will venture into this unique area specifically to seek out the feeding mantas of Hanifaru Bay, one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles in the Maldives. In addition to large manta aggregations, there is also a good chance of encountering whale sharks, making this the highlight of an unforgettable expedition.

While the weather in the Maldives at this time of the year is likely to be more changeable, these monsoonal conditions are exactly what create the planktonic blooms upon which the mantas and whale sharks aggregate to feed.

Furthermore, we can never guarantee these natural events, but we have put together cruises, which maximizes the chances of being in the right place at the right time, guided by the expertise of our team.
Their presence adds a deeper level of understanding and appreciation to the experience, making this cruise a meaningful encounter with marine conservation in action.

THE ITINERARY:
Depending on the program, the itinerary can also include the North part of Ari Atoll to dive at night with manta rays in the Fesdhoo Lagoon.
The itinerary may vary depending on the length of the trip. It can be organized as a round-trip route or as a one-way journey, with the return to Malè arranged by domestic flight, or vice versa.

RECOMMENDED PERIOD: from July to November

TOP DIVE SITES IN THE NORTHERN ATOLLS OF THE MALDIVES

The northern atolls of the Maldives are a treasure trove for divers, offering an array of unique underwater experiences. Here are some must-visit regarding theese cruises, each boasting its own charm and marine wonders: from Malè to Baa / Raa Atoll

Lankan / Paradise (Malè north Atoll) 
Lankan Manta Point is one of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives, known for being a key cleaning station for manta rays. Located at depths of 10 to 18 meters, it features a large coral block where mantas arrive during the southwest monsoon and outgoing currents to be cleaned by wrasse. While mantas are the main attraction, divers may also spot whitetip reef sharks, sea turtles, and lobsters. This diverse marine life, along with the stunning underwater scenery, makes each dive at Lankan Manta Point an unforgettable experience.

Fesdu Lagoon (Ari Atoll)
Fesdu Lagoon is a stunning night diving destination and one of only three places in the world where you can witness manta rays feeding. As night falls, these majestic creatures gather in the lagoon, drawn by the abundance of plankton. Watching them glide through the moonlit water with their mouths open is an unforgettable sight.
The lagoon’s calm, clear waters also host vibrant coral gardens, smaller rays, and colorful reef fish, offering a unique and peaceful diving experience. Fesdu Lagoon is a must-visit for divers seeking an extraordinary encounter with these graceful giants in one of the Maldives’ most beautiful settings.

Rasdhoo Madivaru (Rasdhoo Atoll)
This reef/pass features one of the most spectacular formations in the atoll. A narrow spur juts out like a bridge from the main reef to the opposite side of the pass, where you can encounter a great variety of fish, including tuna, eagle rays, greys reef sharks, whitetips sharks, barracudas, and jacks. In the summer season there is a high chance of seeing manta rays.
Not to be missed is the “blue dive” for the chance to spot schooling hammerhead sharks, which rise from the deep waters along the outer reef in the early morning hours reaching depths accessible by divers.

HANIFARU Bay (Baa Atoll)
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Hanifaru Bay is famous for its seasonal gatherings of manta rays and whale sharks. From May to November, plankton-rich waters attract these gentle giants, creating unforgettable diving and snorkeling opportunities. This site offers a magical chance to observe marine life in its most natural setting. Sometimes, the mighty rays are joined by whale sharks that also feed on plankton.

Dharavandhoo Thila (Baa Atoll)
This submerged reef, known as a “Thila” is home to a large variety of fish. During the southwest monsoon it’s to spot manta rays gliding through the area or pausing at cleaning stations.
Gardener eels can be seen emerging from their holes in the sand bed. On the hat of the thila there are colorful anemones and corals that are home to crustaceans, octopuses, moray eels, scorpion fish and stone fish.
Milaidhoo Thila (Baa Atoll)
It is a thila, a submerged pinnacle, characterized by a spectacular wall covered in colorful soft corals, making it an ideal spot for drift dives. The area is known for its population of grey reef sharks and offers the chance to spot manta rays from late September to November.”

Kottefaru Thila (Raa Atoll)
This dive site starts at around 12 meters and drops to depths beyond 80 meters. It features a spectacular wall, ideal for drift dives.
The area is rich in colorful soft corals and offers the chance to spot manta rays between late September and November when they come here to clean up. Possible sightings of sharks, rays and all the tropical fish you can imagine.

Vandhoo Wall (Raa Atoll)
A very nice drift dive several hundred meters along Vandhoo Island. The upper coral reef made of colored corals and a 250m long wall that goes down to over 30mt. On the TOP reef, between June and November, there is a cleaning station for manta rays. Many fish as napoleons, turtles, white tip sharks, grunts and many blue and yellow fusiliers.

Dhigali Haa (Raa Atoll)
It is a protected thila that ranges from about 10 to 40 meters in depth.
Known as “Fish Head is a pinnacle dive site teeming with marine life with a large presence of grey reef sharks, barracudas, batfish, fusiliers, snappers, eagle rays, and schools of colorful fish surround this vibrant coral formation.
It’s an ideal site for both photography and adventure and is a protected area.”

PERFECT FOR SNORKELING ENTHUSIASTS
This cruise offers incredible opportunities to encounter some of the Maldives’ most spectacular marine life. With water temperatures averaging 28–30°C year-round, the sea is inviting for long, leisurely swims. Even at the edges of channels, snorkeling can bring thrilling encounters with large pelagic species.

Explore vibrant coral gardens, meet graceful sea turtles, and discover a dazzling array of reef fish. It’s a true paradise for anyone who loves the ocean and wants to experience its wonders up close.

AND IN THE END…….
All cruises departing from and returning to Malé, the capital city, may also include, at the end of the journey, an optional visit to the island of Villingili, known for its strong commitment to sustainability.
Here, guests can visit the Save the Beach Centre and the coral restoration site. They will also have the opportunity to snorkel and witness firsthand the important work carried out by scientists and the local community to protect and restore the Villingili reef, accompanied by a Marine Biologist who will provide detailed insights into the ongoing projects.

WE INVITE YOU to check the SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITIES of our Yachts, where you will also find the various ITINERARIES.