Maldives Central & Northern Atolls
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Malé, Kaashidhoo, Baa, Hanifaru Bay, Raa, Lhaviyani, Noonu, North Ari atolls
Day 1
Your extended Maldives diving expedition on the Blue Force 3 liveaboard begins with a dhoni transfer from Malé Airport. Upon boarding, you’ll be shown to your cabin and invited to acquaint yourself with the vessel’s layout. The afternoon includes a comprehensive safety and cruise briefing, followed by your first dinner at sea as you set course for the initial dives of North Malé Atoll.
Core Days
This extensive diving safari is designed to showcase the full spectrum of the northern atolls, balancing iconic sites with genuine exploration. Your diving commences in North Malé, an ideal proving ground where sites like Helengeli Thila and Finger Point present reliable encounters with grey reef sharks and eagle rays riding the channel currents. This region allows you to settle into the rhythm of liveaboard diving, where each site reveals a different facet of the atoll's dynamics.
The trip then pushes into less-frequented waters. Kaashidhoo Atoll offers pristine drift dives along coral terraces patrolled by Napoleon wrasse, with the ever-present possibility of passing pelagics. The focus then shifts to the UNESCO-listed Baa Atoll, home to the legendary Hanifaru Bay. During the seasonal plankton bloom, this natural amphitheatre can host a breathtaking congregation of feeding manta rays, an event defined by grace and scale rather than guaranteed numbers. Baa's network of thilas, draped in soft corals, provides complementary dives rich with reef sharks and turtles.
True remoteness is found further north in Raa and Noonu atolls. Raa’s thriving reefs, such as Vaadhoo and Anemone Thila, are famous for dense clouds of glassfish, while cleaning stations like Kottefaru Corner offer patient photographers opportunities with mantas. Noonu represents the frontier, with sites like Orimas Thila showcasing untouched coral gardens in a natural, wild setting where encounters with guitar sharks or leopard sharks are a distinct possibility. The circuit often concludes with the vibrant channels and iconic wrecks of Lhaviyani, where the parallel hulls of the Shipyard Wreck create a stunning artificial reef, and channels like Kuredu Express funnel pelagic traffic.
Depending on the conditions, the tour may also encompass North Ari Atoll. Here, renowned pinnacles like Fish Head and Maaya Thila pulse with predatory energy, hosting whitetip sharks and vast schools of fish, while the blue water beyond holds the potential for sightings of schooling hammerheads. This flexibility ensures the Blue Force 3 liveaboard cruise finds the optimal conditions for the most rewarding diving.
Final Day
After a final breakfast on board, you will prepare for departure. A dhoni will transfer you and your gear back to Malé Airport, concluding your trip.
Maldives Central & Northern Atolls (Express) (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, Baa Atoll: Hanifaru Bay, and possibly Ari and Rasdhoo atolls
Day 1
This Blue Force 3 liveaboard is designed for certified divers who want to experience the Maldives North's seasonal megafauna combined with the Central Atolls' reliable channel action. Your experience begins as you board the liveaboard near Male International Airport. After a thorough welcome and safety briefing, a restorative lunch is followed by an essential orientation check dive, perfectly setting the stage for the week before your first dinner on board.
Core Days
The initial days of the safari are dedicated to the classic Central Atolls, offering a powerful introduction to the Maldivian rhythm of channel and pinnacle diving. In North Male, you'll explore renowned dive sites, including Miyaru Faru, aptly named Shark Reef. Here, a current-sheltered overhang provides a prime vantage point for viewing patrolling grey reef sharks and an impressive, flowing parade of other open-ocean pelagics.
The focal point of this brief route is the spectacular Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. During the appropriate season, the plankton-rich waters here attract a staggering number of oceanic manta rays to Hanifaru Bay for an immense feeding spectacle. While diving is restricted to protect the environment, you will have the extraordinary opportunity to snorkel directly alongside these magnificent animals as they barrel roll to consume huge mouthfuls of plankton. It's a world-class encounter that forms the core of this expedition.
Throughout the safari, the crew will also monitor conditions for optimal sightings. If time and weather allow, the cruise may veer towards Rasdhoo Atoll, where the morning deep blue holds the possibility of encountering elusive hammerhead sharks. Alternatively, you may explore Ari Atoll, known for its nutrient-rich waters that offer a good chance to encounter the gentle giant of the ocean, the whale shark.
For surface intervals, the Blue Force 3 liveaboard offers excellent snorkelling, kayaks, and paddleboards, along with opportunities to visit traditional fishermen's villages or the pristine isolation of deserted sandbanks.
Day 8
After a memorable week, your expedition concludes with a final breakfast on the last day, followed by disembarkation near Male International Airport.
Maldives Central & Southern Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, South Male, Felidhoo, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu and Huvadhoo atolls
Day 1
Your adventure begins with boarding the Blue Force 3 liveaboard at Kooddoo in Laamu Atoll, where you'll be greeted for a welcome brief covering essential safety rules and onboard services. After a first onboard lunch, the essential check dive takes place, allowing you to settle in before enjoying dinner and cruising toward the initial sites.
Core Days
The Maldives Central and Southern Atolls dive cruise onboard the Blue Force 3 liveaboard is an extensive, experience-led exploration tailored for the certified diver. This ambitious route combines the high-velocity channel diving of the central region with the pristine, pelagic-rich waters of the south, promising an extraordinary quality of dive encounters.
The main body of the safari is a focused deep dive into 7 prominent atolls, each contributing a unique highlight. You'll begin by traversing North Male and South Male Atolls, which serve as the perfect warm-up, offering classic Maldivian drift dives over vibrant, current-swept reefs and pinnacles. Further south, Felidhoo Atoll is a magnet for high-energy action. Its famed channels, powered by strong currents, draw in schools of tuna and trevallies, which in turn attract a procession of patrolling reef sharks. Felidhoo is also home to the legendary night dive at Alimatha House Reef, where dozens of nurse sharks congregate.
The voyage continues to Meemu Atoll, showcasing deep channels frequented by grey reef sharks and eagle rays, alongside reef structures draped in beautiful soft corals. Thaa Atoll expands the megafauna possibilities, featuring known manta cleaning stations and acting as a seasonal location for sightings of hammerheads and whale sharks.
For non-divers, the Blue Force cruise offers excellent surface activities like snorkeling, kayaks, and paddleboards, including visits to deserted islands and sandbanks.
The liveaboard tour culminates in the remote Huvadhoo Atoll, one of the world’s largest and deepest. Diving here is a return to untouched Maldivian nature, with pristine lagoons, walls, and deep channels. Huvadhoo provides consistent encounters with stingrays, turtles, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, nurse sharks, spinner dolphins, manta rays, and the impressive thresher shark. Experienced divers may also, on occasion, witness elusive hammerhead and tiger sharks hunting.
Day 8
After an unforgettable week exploring these diverse atolls, your trip concludes. Disembarkation is near Male International Airport, after a final breakfast.
Note: these cruises operate in either direction.
Maldives Central Atolls
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, very popular, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, South Male, Ari and Felidhoo atolls
Day 1
This Maldivian Central Atolls trip on the Blue Force 3 liveaboard provides certified divers with a focused, action-packed exploration of the archipelago's most iconic sites. Your week begins with a warm welcome aboard near Male International Airport. Following the essential safety and vessel briefing, a check dive is conducted after lunch, allowing you to settle in and enjoy the evening's dinner with fellow guests.
Core Days
The core of this Blue Force 3 safari is dedicated to the thrilling diving of North Male, South Male, Ari, and Felidhoo atolls. The experience is centred on pelagic observation, from sharks and rays to turtles and dolphins, achieved through a mix of current-driven channel dives and submerged pinnacles. You'll explore vibrant, current-swept reefs in the North and South Male atolls, serving as the perfect acclimatisation to the dynamic Maldivian waters.
Felidhoo Atoll presents an exciting challenge with its channels and a spectacular wall featuring swim-throughs and overhangs festooned with colourful soft corals. The action here is electric: its famed channels, powered by strong currents, draw in schools of tuna and trevallies, which in turn attract a procession of patrolling reef sharks. An unmissable experience is the night dive with dozens of huge nurse sharks at the famed Alimatha House Reef.
The dive cruise continues into Ari Atoll, known for its submerged pinnacles and cleaning stations, offering regular encounters with schools of eagle rays and graceful mantas. The plankton-rich conditions in this region also make it a seasonal hotspot for memorable whale shark sightings. At sites like Miyaru Faru, whose name in Dhivehi means 'shark,' a current-sheltered overhang offers an excellent vantage point for viewing patrolling grey reef sharks and the impressive parade of open-ocean pelagics.
Beyond the scuba diving, the tour is balanced with tranquil surface time, offering excellent snorkelling and visits to local islands and deserted sandbanks.
Final Day
After a week of incredible underwater scenes, your time with the Blue Force 3 liveaboard culminates with a final breakfast before you disembark near Male International Airport.
Maldives Central, Southern & Deep South Atolls
Trip highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, very popular, wall diving, wreck diving
Dive sites and activities: North Male, South Male, Felidhoo, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, Huvadhoo atolls, and Fuvahmulah
Day 1
The epic expedition traces a magnificent line from the main capital region deep into the virtually untouched southern hemisphere of the Maldives. The incredible voyage begins as you board the Blue Force 3 liveaboard near Male International Airport. Following a comprehensive welcome and safety briefing, you'll enjoy a restorative lunch before undertaking a crucial check dive, settling you into the rhythm of the boat ahead of your first dinner on board.
Core Days
The initial days of the dive safari traverse the Central Atolls, establishing the exhilarating theme of channel and pinnacle diving. Starting with North Male and South Male Atolls, you'll explore classic dive sites famous for their topographical variety and vibrant reef life. Moving south, Felidhoo Atoll is distinguished by strong, powerful currents in its channels, which attract hunting packs of trevallies and tuna, alongside a steady stream of different types of reef sharks. The area is also home to the legendary night dive at Alimatha House Reef, a consistent highlight where dozens of nurse sharks gather after dark.
Continuing into the Southern Atolls, you will visit Meemu and Thaa. Meemu Atoll showcases spectacular grey reef shark encounters, beautiful soft corals, and regular appearances by eagle rays. Thaa Atoll is renowned for its specific dive sites dedicated to manta cleaning stations, while also offering seasonal opportunities for sightings of hammerhead and the majestic whale shark. These atolls provide excellent conditions for deep blue exploration and varied fish life.
The Blue Force 3 liveaboard expedition then pushes into the Deep South to the vast, remote coral structures of Laamu, Huvadhoo, and Fuvahmulah. Huvadhoo Atoll, one of the world's largest, is characterised by its deep, pristine channels, vibrant, untouched lagoons, and walls. Divers here consistently encounter blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, turtles, spinner dolphins, manta rays, and the elusive thresher shark. The true climax for many is Fuvahmulah Island. This unique open-ocean atoll is a global hotspot for apex predators, where you can be prepared for unforgettable encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks, tiger sharks, mola mola (ocean sunfish), and sailfish as they patrol the nutrient-rich currents.
Non-divers on the Blue Force 3 will find ample enjoyment in the excellent snorkelling, kayaking, and paddleboarding opportunities, including visits to deserted islands and sandbanks throughout the entire cruise.
Final Day
After a final breakfast on the last day, your time exploring the 7 atolls of the Maldives concludes. Disembarkation is from Kooddoo Airport in Laamu Atoll for your connecting flight back to Male.
Note: this cruise sometimes runs in reverse, so please check the ports of departure and return.
Maldives Deep South Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: Laamu, Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah and Addu atolls
Day 1
The Maldives Deep South Atolls dive tour with the Blue Force 3 liveaboard is an ambitious deep-ocean expedition, purpose-built for certified divers seeking the archipelago's most remote and awe-inspiring encounters. Your unforgettable adventure begins as you board the Blue Force 3 near either Male International Airport or Kooddoo in Laamu Atoll. After a welcome brief, you'll have time to settle into your cabin and complete a crucial check dive after lunch, before enjoying a relaxed dinner that sets the tone for your week of exploration.
Core Days
The core of this liveaboard safari is a focused penetration into the Deep South, venturing far off the standard tourist routes to experience an unparalleled quality of pristine diving across Laamu, Huvadhoo, Fuvahmulah, and Addu atolls. This region is distinguished by its sheer abundance of large pelagic life. Huvadhoo, one of the world's largest and deepest atolls, is a primary focus. Here, the scuba diving centres on deep channels and walls, with vibrant, untouched reefs. Divers can expect consistent encounters with blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, nurse sharks, manta rays, spinner dolphins, and the impressive thresher shark. The powerful currents frequently draw in even larger visitors, including occasional hammerhead and tiger sharks.
For many experienced divers, the ultimate highlight of this tour is Fuvahmulah Island. This unique open-ocean atoll is a renowned convergence point for apex predators. Be prepared for truly memorable encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks, massive thresher sharks, and the ultimate prize: the majestic tiger shark. Diving here offers the chance to observe a diverse assembly of large predators, including grey reef sharks, mola mola (ocean sunfish), and sailfish, hunting in the rich, nutrient-dense waters.
The Blue Force 3 dive cruise also integrates the unique features of Laamu and Addu atolls. Laamu's channel dives offer exciting, current-swept action, while Addu, the Maldives' southernmost atoll, provides a fascinating contrast with its unique reef topography and a sense of remoteness. Beyond the diving, the vessel offers excellent surface activities like snorkelling, kayaking, and paddle-boarding, with opportunities to visit remote sandbanks and local islands for a complete Deep South experience.
Day 8
After a final breakfast on board the liveaboard, your time exploring the South Maldives concludes, with disembarkation to either Male International Airport or Kooddoo in Laamu Atoll.
Maldives Northern Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 Dives)
Trip highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, schooling fish & big pelagics
Diving environment: advanced divers, beginner divers, drift diving, healthy reefs, off the beaten track, wall diving
Dive sites and activities: North Malé, Kaashidhoo, Baa, Hanifaru Bay, Raa and Lhaviyani
Day 1
Your Maldivian dive adventure begins with a dhoni transfer from Malé Airport to your awaiting vessel. Settle into your cabin, familiarise yourself with the spacious decks, and attend the essential welcome and safety briefing. As the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, enjoy your first dinner on board while cruising towards the initial dive sites of North Malé Atoll.
Core Days
The cruise north from the capital atoll serves as a perfect introduction to the rhythms of Maldives diving. You'll explore iconic sites like Helengeli Thila, where grey reef sharks patrol and mantas circle cleaning stations, and Finger Point, renowned for consistent action with eagle rays and reef sharks carried on gentle currents. This area allows you to fine-tune your buoyancy and acclimatise to the rich, flowing seascapes.
The Blue Force 3 then explores the less-visited waters of Kaashidhoo Atoll. Here, pristine conditions often yield outstanding visibility for exhilarating drift dives. Glide past coral terraces inhabited by Napoleon wrasse and sizeable groupers, while schools of fusiliers shimmer in the blue. The area is a known corridor for pelagics, where encounters with green turtles, dolphins, and seasonal whale sharks are distinct possibilities, adding a layer of anticipation to every descent.
The tour then reaches the celebrated Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The highlight is the world-famous Hanifaru Bay, where, during the south-west monsoon, plankton-rich waters can attract a staggering gathering of feeding manta rays - a truly remarkable spectacle. The atoll's thilas, such as Dhonfanu and Kihaadhuffaru, are adorned with lush soft corals and host grey reef sharks, hunting jacks, and turtles. After dark, the vessel's lights often attract plankton, which in turn can draw whale sharks to the stern for unforgettable night-time observations.
The route then delves into the remote and seldom-dived atolls of Raa and Lhaviyani. Raa offers a sense of discovery with nearly untouched reefs, where hard and soft corals thrive. Its thilas, including Vaadhoo and Anemone Thila, are famous for dense, swirling clouds of glassfish that envelop divers. At cleaning stations like Kottefaru Corner, you can witness mantas in hovering repose, while channels frequently reveal patrolling reef sharks and eagle rays. Finally, Lhaviyani Atoll presents remarkable diversity. The photogenic Shipyard Wreck, 2 vessels resting side-by-side, is a macro haven, while channels like Kuredu Express channel powerful currents that attract grey reef sharks, silver tips, and turtles. For a serene contrast, the overhangs of Kuredu Caves provide sheltered havens where green turtles are often found resting.
Day 8
Following a final breakfast on board, it’s time to bid farewell to the crew and your fellow divers. You will disembark the Blue Force 3 liveaboard and transfer by dhoni back to Malé Airport, carrying with you memories of the North Maldives' most profound underwater scenes.
[Information is best estimate in ideal circumstances and subject to changes beyond our control. The itinerary is a guide only and may be adapted to best suit the weather, tides, currents, availability and other prevailing events. Price is for the cruise, not for an exact number of dives].
Onboard the Blue Force 3 liveaboard, the day typically begins as the Indian Ocean lightens. An early knock on the cabin door preludes a briefing in the saloon, where your dive guides outline the plan for the first dive. Breakfast is a relaxed, buffet-style affair before you suit up for the morning’s exploration. You can expect 3 dives on most days, with the schedule carefully paced. There’s usually a surface interval for a proper sit-down lunch back on the boat, and a chance to relax on the sun deck before the afternoon dive. Night dives are offered twice during the week, revealing the reef’s nocturnal hunters.
Snorkellers will find plenty to explore on the house reef stops, and there are kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available for guests. The cruises often include visits to a deserted island or a sandbank. Here, you can stretch your legs on pristine white sand, and if the weather and anchorage allow, the Blue Force crew might set up a beach barbecue lunch, a simple, memorable experience of the Maldives above the water.
Meals with the Blue Force 3 are a central part of the day, served buffet-style in the air-conditioned dining room. The kitchen team prepares a varied spread designed to suit a range of appetites after a day in the ocean. Breakfast includes cereals, yogurt, pastries, and fresh juices, alongside cooked options like beef bacon, sausages, and eggs made to order, whether omelette, scrambled, or fried. Lunch and dinner might feature a selection of grilled fish, chicken or beef dishes, seafood, pasta, rice, and soups, always accompanied by vegetables. Fresh fruit and ice cream are typically on hand for dessert. For the hours between meals, chilled water, coffee, and tea are available around the clock.
