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Location Far South - Central Maldives
Duration 14 nights
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Vessel Conte Max
Level from Advanced Open Water
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Manta Experts Announced shortly
HIGHLIGHTS
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Visit 11 of the 26 Maldivian atolls, experience the best diving the country has to offer on a journey of over 500 miles!
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Timed this expedition to coincide with the arrival of the giant oceanic mantas in Fuvahmulah
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Dive in some of the most shark-populated channels where schools of dozens of grey reef sharks, tiger sharks, the occasional thresher and hammerhead shark
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Swim with whale sharks by night, a magical experience that will leave you breathless!
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Encounter cleaning reef manta rays at a number of different central Maldives sites
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A chance to encounter both species of manta rays & experience some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives
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Oceanic Manta Ray
Reef Manta Ray
Tiger Shark
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!
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 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.
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A TYPICAL ITINERARY
Day 1:
The team will welcome you at airport upon arrival
Transfer to the vessel from 2pm
Vessel & Safety briefing
Depending on guest arrival times, check-dive
Day 2-13:
2-3 dives daily
Workshops & presentations by onboard Manta Expert
Day 14:
Check-out (8am latest)
Transfer to the airport
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One of my best expeditions in 40 years of diving the oceans.
Just great, wonderful !
Marcus Koch, Manta Passion 8
MEET YOUR MANTA EXPERT
As on all Manta Expeditions, a Manta Trust scientist will be onboard for its entire duration, offering everyone the opportunity to interact and learn from a leading manta expert. The presence of a Manta Trust scientist onboard will enhance your experience in a number of ways: • motivate and inspire you, by learning about the marine ecosystems you will be exploring • gain access to an accumulated wealth of knowledge and expertise, providing you the opportunity to become actively involved in cutting-edge scientific research. • offer you an educational and much more rewarding experience by making your underwater encounters more personal, and by involving you first-hand in marine research and conservation. • be environmentally aware and proactive and become an active member of an initiative which stands to have strong implications for the on-going persistence for manta rays worldwide. Collectively the Manta Trust and Manta Expeditions teams possess over two decades of experience working in the Maldives, studying its manta population and marine life and have assembled a vast amount of knowledge and expertise, knowledge you will have access to on this expedition. A core focus of the expeditions is not only to provide close encounters with manta rays but to enthuse and educate divers in marine conservation issues and the environment surrounding them. Through a series of activities and presentations on topics covering local marine species and habitats led by the Manta Trust expert, you are sure to leave with an increased awareness of the threats facing our oceans and, perhaps more importantly, how you can help. Using the knowledge of the Manta Trust scientists you will gain a brand-new perspective to diving and experiencing the underwater world; by understanding what you see you will gain a better appreciation and love for the ocean and its creatures. Ultimately, with the guidance of the Manta Trust researcher you will have the chance to give something back to the ocean which we believe is fundamental considering how much we take from it!
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The enthusiasm and flexibility of the
crew, the knowledge from Niv and the camaraderie of participants
made this trip magnificent.
Tracey Dennis, Manta Passion 8
YOUR IMPACT
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