HIGHLIGHTS
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Off the beaten track itinerary venturing into rarely visited regions of the north of the Maldives!
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Visit the remote Makunudhoo Atoll, a new study region of the Manta Trust where hundreds of manta rays have already been identified and where regular manta feeding aggregations occur.
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Feel like an old time explorer venturing into the unknown to explore some of the most remote corners of the Maldives
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Dive some of the less known but spectacular dive sites of the Maldives, among schooling reef fishes, colorful soft corals, cleaning and feeding mantas and schooling sharks.
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Experience the wonder of immersing yourself among a feeding frenzy of these gentle giants.
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Enjoy the incredible variety of dive sites and marine life of the north of the Maldives
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Learn from your dedicated Manta Trust expert, embark on a hunt for new aggregation sites
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Participate in workshops & help scientists collect meaningful data to further manta ray research and conservation!
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Manta feeding aggregations
Soft corals
Cleaning mantas
Embark on an unparalleled journey with this exclusive expedition, offering a Maldives itinerary like never before! While most liveaboards head south at this time of year, we’ll venture north, exploring remote atolls in search of manta ray feeding and cleaning aggregations. This voyage will take us to the northern reaches, including the recently established Manta Trust project at Makunudhoo Atoll, a hotspot for hundreds of manta rays during this season!
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Baa Atoll – Off the beaten path, Baa Atoll is a more secluded region we’ll explore as we head north. Here, vibrant soft coral-covered channels and abundant marine life set the stage for encounters with mantas seeking cleaning stations.
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Raa Atoll – Just north of Baa, Raa Atoll remains relatively untouched and is home to a large manta population. We’ll search for feeding and cleaning mantas, dive the country’s first recognized manta nursery, and conduct exploratory dives to uncover new aggregation sites. Raa’s lively reefs are also home to grey reef sharks, turtles, and schools of fish.
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Makunudhoo Atoll – A true hidden gem, this remote atoll has never been visited by liveaboards. However, the newly established Manta Trust project has uncovered large manta aggregations of up to 80-100 individuals! We’ll dive into these mesmerizing manta ray experiences, meet Manta Trust researchers, and contribute to ongoing research on this unique population.
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Shaviyani Atoll – This northern atoll offers stunning underwater pinnacles rich with marine life, including rare guitarfish sightings. We’ll also visit a remote manta cleaning station, where we’ll work with the Manta Trust to identify new manta individuals.
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Noonu Atoll – As we move toward Male, Noonu Atoll offers secluded dive sites teeming with marine life. Here, encounters with guitarfish, grey reef sharks, and vibrant underwater scenes await.
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Lhaviyani Atoll – To fully experience the Maldives' diving wonders, we’ll visit Lhaviyani Atoll, famous for its channels full of sharks, Napoleon wrasses, eagle rays, and jacks. Dive with some of the country’s largest green turtles and explore an incredible anemone garden.
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North Male Atoll – Just off the capital city of Male, North Male Atoll offers outstanding diving, featuring more sharks, eagle rays, schools of tropical fish, and vibrant coral-covered reefs.
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This new expedition has been crafted to offer an adventurous journey that maximizes your chances of seeing mantas at their best, all while being guided by the expertise of a Manta Trust scientist.
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Note: Itinerary may be subject to change based on weather and ocean conditions.
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A TYPICAL ITINERARY
Day 1:
The team will welcome you at airport upon arrival
Transfer to the vessel between 10am-2pm
Welcome cocktail & briefing
Depending on guest arrival times, check-dive
Day 2-13:
2-3 dives daily
Snorkel opportunities
Workshops & presentations by onboard Manta Expert
The itinerary of the cruise is kept flexible to adapt to best conditions and manta sightings
Day 14:
Check-out (10am 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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