THE BEST 11 – 500 MILES JOURNEY – Liveaboard Diving in Maldives
THE EXPEDITION
On this manta expedition we will visit 11 of the 26 Maldivian atolls experiencing the best diving the country has to offer on a journey of well over 500 miles!
Starting in the southernmost point of the Maldives, we timed this expedition to coincide with the arrival of the giant oceanic mantas in Fuvahmulah, a small island that acts as a magnet to many other large pelagic species such as whale sharks, tiger sharks, thresher sharks and more!
BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF THE DIVING CHARACTERISTICS YOU’LL EXPERIENCE WHILE CROSSING THESE ATOKLLS, EACH OFFERING ITS OWN UNIQUE UNDERWATER FEATURES AND MARINE LIFE
The far south of the Maldives is shark territory and here we will have the opportunity to dive in some of the most shark-populated channels where schools of dozens of grey reef sharks are typical! Tiger sharks, whale sharks by night, the occasional thresher and hammerhead shark, schooling eagle rays and resting turtles are just some of the many other attractions we are likely to encounter on this unique expedition.
As we move north into Huvadhoo atoll we will have the unique opportunity to swim with whale sharks by night, a magical experience that will leave you breathless! Huvadhoo and the other southern atolls are also renowned for their stunning channel dives…where we will encounter large schools of patrolling grey reef sharks, eagle rays, resting turtles and maybe the occasional hammerhead too!
Moving further north into Laamu, Meemu and Ari atolls, we will also get the chance to encounter cleaning reef manta rays at a number of different sites. Vaavu (Felidhoo) atoll will offer us some spectacular dives on reefs covered in colorful soft corals, further chances to encounter hammerhead sharks and an amazing night dive with dozens of nurse sharks and stingrays. Ari and South Male atolls will finally provide a more diverse diving experience as we will dive some famous sites with breathtaking landscapes and high fish diversity.
WITH THIS 14 NIGHTS EXPEDITION, we have put together a trip which will offer us the chance of encountering both species of manta rays and experience some of the most spectacular dive sites the Maldives has to offer, guided by the knowledge of The Manta Trust’s experts Biologists.
CITIZEN SCIENCE – GET INVOLVED!
On this expedition, you’ll have the opportunity to experience and participate in cutting edge conservation research to protect one of the ocean’s most majestic animals. Manta Trust scientists will be collecting photographic identification images of all mantas encountered throughout the expedition – a task that guests are welcome and encouraged to participate in. All new manta rays will be added to the database and guests will be invited to name these new mantas
THE MANTA TRUST (we are AMBASSADOR of Manta Trust)
A UK registered charity, the Trust`s mission is to advance the worldwide conservation of manta rays and their habitat through robust science and research, by raising awareness and providing education, influence and action. The Manta Trust was formed in 2011 to coordinate global research and conservation efforts for these amazing animals, their close relatives and their habitat.
