Maldives Central Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 17 Dives)
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, North Ari, South Ari, Felidhoo, Rasdhoo atolls
Day 1
Arrive at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male and meet the Eco Pro Divers representative. A short dhoni trip from the airport and you will step on board the liveaboard MV Eco Blue. After a welcome drink, you can settle into your cabin and relax on board awaiting the arrival of all the other guests. You will be given a detailed boat and safety introduction. Dinner (or lunch and dinner, depending on your arrival time) will be served during the first day of your unforgettable vacation. The boat departs the harbour only on the following morning.
Days 2-7
Cruises include 3 dives on most diving days among an impressive variety of marine life. You may experience some strong currents around the border of the atolls, but you will get used to doing drift dives. These currents bring large predators like whitetip and grey reef sharks, and also schools of tuna and oceanic manta rays. The pinnacles are often home to a beautiful array of soft and hard coral formations that attract life such as pufferfish, triggerfish, moray eels, and giant Napoleon wrasse, to name just a few of the colourful fauna that the Maldives Central Atolls are famous for. Looking for a better use of your wide angle lens? Whale sharks are a common sight in these waters too.
Your day starts at about 6:30 am with hot drinks and simple nibbles before listening to the dive briefing. The dhoni then takes you to the site where you will enter the water with your group. A 2nd dive follows a bigger breakfast that includes fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurt, eggs, sausages, toast, beans, and cooked vegetables. Juice, tea and coffee are available 24 hours a day, including from the Lavazza coffee bar. The food on board Eco Blue is considered an important part of the cruise. Lunch and dinner are succulent fresh salads, rice and pasta, local curries for a taste of local cuisine, fresh fish, meat and lots of vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and spinach. Desserts such as ice cream and fresh fruit are always appreciated at the end of a meal, especially when you are on a vacation. A delicious barbecue on a deserted beach is also on the schedule for the week.
Please note that there is only 1 dive on the last full day of the trip, before heading to Male.
Day 8
A last chance to enjoy a meal on MV Eco Blue, as after breakfast and saying your farewells, a dhoni transfer will take you back to the airport, either at 7 or 9 am.
[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].