MALDIVES
ARI-BAA ATOLLS
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Location Male - North Ari - Baa
Duration 7 nights
Vessel MY Duke of York
Level Open Water
Manta Expert TBC
HIGHLIGHTS
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Visit three atolls, experience the Maldives' richness and diversity of marine life
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Explore spectacular underwater landscapes vibrant thilas, channels, and coral reefs teeming with life and color
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Immerse yourself in the manta feeding aggregations of Baa Atol
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Chance to encounter the gentlest giant of the sea, the whale shark
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Live the unforgettable experience of diving with night-feeding mantas
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Venture into North Ari Atoll, a region regularly visited by mantas and hosting some stunning dive sites
Feeding Mantas
Whale Sharks
Cleaning Mantas
Embark on an extraordinary in-depht journey through the Maldivian atolls of North Ari and Baa, the Indian Ocean’s premier destinations for manta and whale shark encounters. This expedition offers divers a rare opportunity to swim alongside the ocean’s most graceful giants while contributing to ongoing conservation and research efforts.
Our journey begins in Malé Atoll, where colorful thilas rise from the depths and cleaning stations attract mantas in mesmerizing displays. Drift through lively channels teeming with reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and schools of snapper — a perfect introduction to Maldivian marine life.
Sail onto one of the expedition’s focus, North Ari Atoll, celebrated for its year-round manta activity and reliable whale shark sightings. Dive sweeping coral slopes and current-swept reefs at iconic sites, drifting among feeding mantas and encountering whale sharks cruising the blue. The outer reefs offer dramatic walls and abundant fish life, from turtles and eagle rays to Napoleon wrasse and schools of fusiliers.
Finally venture into Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to the world-famous Hanifaru Bay. During the plankton-rich southwest monsoon, hundreds of mantas gather in a choreographed ballet, sometimes accompanied by whale sharks, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle. Floating among these giants is a rare and unforgettable experience that defines the Maldives’ magic.
The weather in the Maldives at this time of the year is likely to be more changeable, the monsoonal conditions are exactly what create the planktonic blooms upon which the mantas and whale sharks aggregate to feed. Whilst we can never guarantee these natural events, we have put together an expedition that maximises our chances of being in the right place at the right time, guided by the expertise of a Manta Trust scientist!
Between dives, relax aboard the expedition vessel, share insights from your onboard manta expert, and contribute to photo-ID research programs. Every dive is a discovery, every encounter a connection: explore the home of home of gentle giants where lifetime memories are made.
Note: The inclusion of Hanifaru Bay is dependent on the time of year, the number of mantas in the bay (or lack thereof) as well as the availability of government-licensed guides and restrictions imposed by the rangers.
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A TYPICAL ITINERARY
Day 1:
Embarkation followed by introductions, boat and safety briefings, lunch, check-dive (time permitting) and dinner.
Day 2-6:
Up to 3 dives a day, typically scheduled as follows:
- Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1
- Full Breakfast, relax, briefing & Dive 2
- Lunch, relax, briefing & Dive 3*
- Snack, relax
- Workshops & presentations by onboard Manta Expert
- Dinner
* in case of a sunset or night dive, the schedule will be slightly amended
The itinerary of the cruise is kept flexible to adapt to best conditions and manta sightings
Day 7:
One morning dive
Day 8:
Breakfast on board followed by disembarkation and 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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