BEST OF 
CENTRAL-NORTH

This expedition has been carefully planned to showcase the incredible diversity of the central and northern Maldives, combining world-class diving with the best opportunities to encounter some of the region's most iconic marine life. From exhilarating channel dives to vibrant coral reefs and renowned manta cleaning stations, each atoll offers a unique underwater experience.

​

Our journey begins in North Malé Atoll, where dramatic pinnacles, colourful reefs and exciting drift dives provide the perfect introduction to Maldivian diving. Schools of fusiliers, reef sharks, eagle rays and turtles are common sightings as we explore the thriving reefs surrounding the capital.

​

From there we head west into Ari Atoll, one of the Maldives' most celebrated dive destinations. Famous for its abundance of pelagic life, Ari offers excellent chances of encountering whale sharks, grey reef sharks and eagle rays, while manta rays frequently visit the area's cleaning stations. The combination of current-swept channels and vibrant coral formations makes every dive an unforgettable experience.

​​

We will then venture north into Baa Atoll to seek out the feeding mantas of Hanifaru Bay and hopefully a few whale sharks as well. To see several of the world's largest fish feeding amongst dozens of the world's largest rays is something most people will never forget.

Continuing north, we explore the less-visited waters of Raa Atoll. This beautiful atoll is known for its spectacular coral walls, healthy reefs and regular manta ray encounters. Rich marine biodiversity, colourful soft corals and abundant reef fish create stunning dive sites, while the quieter nature of the atoll offers a more remote and untouched diving experience.

Our expedition then takes us to Lhaviyani Atoll which will provide more opportunities to witness mantas feeding and cleaning, alongside schools of fusiliers and snappers. However, a visit to Lhaviyani is incomplete without diving through its shark-filled channels, encountering massive resting green turtles, and exploring its stunning anemone garden.

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. Whilst we can never guarantee these natural events, we have put together a trip, which maximises our chances of being in the right place at the right time, guided by the expertise of a Manta Trust scientist!

​

​

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.