BEST OF 
CENTRAL-NORTH

This expedition has been specifically timed to coincide with the most productive monsoon winds and lunar currents, which strongly influence the movements and feeding habits of reef manta rays. The aim of this trip is to use the knowledge of Manta Trust experts to find these feeding aggregations and allow the guests to experience the wonder of immersing yourself among a feeding frenzy of these gentle giants. 

On this expedition we will visit four atolls and experience the wonderful marine diversity the Maldives has to offer! Sarting in Rasdhu Atoll where we will dive some beautiful channels teeming with life, sharks, eagle rays and Napoleaons to name a few!

Baa Atoll is off the main route for the majority of dive liveaboards and we will venture into this more northern atoll specifically 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.

Just north of Baa we will venture into Raa Atoll, a region regularly visited by mantas and hosting some stunning dive sites. Vertical walls covered in soft corals, gardens of anemones and mantas gliding above our heads are only a few of the marvels of this atoll.

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.