The best itinerary for experiencing the Maldives' underwater worlds featuring whale sharks, manta rays, stingrays, morays, stunning coral overhangs, unique wreck dives and so much more!
Days 1-4 - Whale Sharks in South Ari Atoll
🌴 Famous for year round Whale Shark sightings
📅 November - April (Whale shark season)
Day 1
Seaplane to South Ari Atoll. Embark on Lily Beach's Whale Shark Trip with Marine Biologist, where guests join a marine biologist on a traditional wooden dhoni boat in search of whale sharks that can be seen year round.
Day 2
Visit an on-site Marine Biology Centre to explore underwater wildlife research, coral planting and adoption programmes. Pick out and adopt a coral to restore the reefs.
Day 3
Dive Bodu Finolhu Thila (advanced divers) for whale sharks & stingrays, Kudhimaa Wreck (intermediate divers) for bat fish & lion fish or Angaga Thila (all divers) for barracudas & turtles.
Day 4
Explore Five Rocks dive spot, nestled between Dhangethi and Dhigurah and experience colourful sea fans, & jackfish. Later in the afternoon snorkel the house reef on-site or enjoy other non-motorised activities like sailing, pedal boats or wind surfing.
Our Recommended Resorts in South Ari Atoll
Day 5 - Recharge at Huvafen Fushi
📍 Male Atoll
Day 5
Break up the journey between atolls with a seaplane/domestic flight from South Ari Atoll to Male Atoll and stay at Huvafen Fushi. Guests can enjoy a Private Turtle Safari, where they can get acquainted with Hawksbill Turtles!
Days 6-8 - Corals, Stingrays & Morays at Fushifaru
📍 Lhaviyani Atoll
Day 6
Seaplane/domestic flight from Huvafen to Fushifaru. Take the day to explore Fushifaru Thila, a large plateau covered by blocks of corals formed like a pinnacle with 12-15 metres at the top, a diver's dream with exciting species at every turn. Stingrays, white-tip sharks and barracudas call this spot home.
Day 7
Experience the Kuredu Express dive site just 25 minutes away by dhoni complete with stunning overhangs of soft coral, morays, stingrays and tuna. See Our Website for More Info!
Day 8 - Overnight Escape at Anantara Dhigu
📍 Male Atoll
Day 8
Break up this itinerary by taking a seaplane/domestic flight from Fushifaru to Male atoll and a speedboat to Anantara Dhigu. Guests have the choice to sail into the sunset to visit gatherings of dozens of nurse sharks, relax at the spa with a Thai massage or take a surf lesson!
Days 9-12 - Manta Rays in Baa Atoll
🌴 Famous of feeding aggregations of Manta Rays
📅 May - October (Manta season)
Day 9
Seaplane from Male Atoll to Baa Atoll. Visit Dhonfanu Rock, located only a short swim from the main reef to experience manta rays, snappers, green turtles, batfish and black coral bushes. Snap a picture of a Manta's belly and use the Manta Trusts' 'ID the Manta programme' and learn the name of each spotted Manta!
Day 10
Explore one of the 32 diving sites in Baa Atoll from wreck diving to drift diving all within 40 minute by boat from the dive centre. Finish off the day with a guided big game fishing tour on a fully-equipped deep sea fishing boat.
Day 11
Prepare for a day of diving at the world renowned Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Protected Biosphere Reserve, (12 minutes journey), where hundreds of manta rays and whale sharks are seen feeding from May to November.
Day 12
For the final day of the Ultimate Sea Life Itinerary, take use of the complimentary snorkeling gear given to each guest and explore the house reef and surrounding areas. Finish the day with a guided sunset cruise to witness dolphins in their natural habitat.
Our Recommended Resorts in Baa Atoll:
Optional: Two Days at Laamu Atoll
Additional Sea Life Option
Experience the Laamu Atoll, featuring year-round sightings of manta rays at two key aggregation sites, Hithadhoo Corner and Fushi Kandu with peaks in sightings generally occurring during May-June and October-November.
Recommended Resorts: Six Senses Laamu