BEST OF
CENTRAL-NORTH
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Location Central & North
Duration 10 nights
Vessel EcoPro Seascape
Level Snorkel/Open Water
Manta Expert TBC
HIGHLIGHTS​​​​​​
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Visit four atolls, experience the Maldives' richness and diversity of marine life
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Immerse yourself in the manta feeding aggregations of Baa Atoll
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Chance to encounter the gentlest giant of the sea, the whale shark
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Venture into Raa Atoll, a region regularly visited by mantas and hosting some stunning dive sites​​
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Join the thrilling, shark-filled channel dives that Lhaviyani Atoll is known for​
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​Stop at Ari Atoll for the unforgettable experience to dive with night-feeding mantas
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Feeding Mantas
Whale Sharks
Cleaning Mantas
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!
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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 and dinner. There is no diving on embarkation day.
Day 2-9:
Up to 3 dives a day, typically scheduled as follows:
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- Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1
- Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing & Dive 2
- Lunch, relaxation period, briefing & Dive 3*
- Snack, relaxation period
- Workshops & presentations by onboard Manta Expert
- Dinner
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* in case of a sunset or night dive, the schedule will be slightly amended
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The itinerary of the cruise is kept flexible to adapt to best conditions and manta sightings
Day 10:
One morning dive
Day 11:
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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