Maldives Central Atolls (8 Days / 7 Nights - 18 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: Hulhumale Neru, Lankan Manta Point, Bodu Hiti Thila, Fish Tank, South Male, Ari: Camel Rock, Mahibadhoo Manta Point, Lily Manta Point, Fish Head, Bathala Maaga Khan Thila, Maaya Thila; and Felidhoo atolls: Alimatha Nurse shark Point
Day 1
Collect your luggage at Male International Airport and meet the Infinity X staff who will escort you to board the yacht. The tour leader will explain in detail the liveaboard features and plan for the diving safari before you are assigned to your cabin. Unpack your scuba gear, chat with the other guests on board, relax in the Jacuzzi: dinner will be served at sunset. Your amazing vacation in the Maldives has just begun!
Days 2-7
The classic 'Central Atolls’ route includes a beautiful mix of Maldives highlights - sharks, rays, Napoleon wrasse, mantas, corals, whale sharks … you will love it. South Male features large schools of fish, big pelagics, plenty of soft corals and caves, as well as one very good wreck. Miyaru Faru is aptly named since ‘miyaru’ means shark in Dhivehi and not surprisingly this is where you can encounter the ‘big boys’. An overhang protects you from the current and provides an excellent viewing spot for the impressive parade of pelagics and patrolling grey reef sharks, or even the occasional hammerhead. The channel at Felidhoo Atoll is also a great place to find reef sharks and has a spectacular wall showcasing caverns, swim-throughs and overhangs festooned with colourful soft corals and bushes of black corals. There is also a spectacular night dive with dozens of huge nurse sharks, sting rays and giant trevallies. Ari Atoll is famous for its mighty whale sharks which can be regularly seen in its marine protected areas. Hammerhead sharks, manta rays and other pelagic fish are also commonly encountered here. Highlights here include tuna, jacks, reef sharks, mantas and eagle rays.
All diving is done from the dhoni, All equipment is carried by the boat crew, Dives last 50 minutes and are scheduled for 6:30 am, 10:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Delicious meals will appeal to every diver's appetite and taste, involving international and Chinese cuisine, plus many incredible local delicacies. Meals are served buffet style in the dedicated dining section of the air-conditioned lounge on the main deck. A pre-breakfast, breakfast, and lunch will each be followed by dives. Dinner is after the night dive. Biscuits, bread/toast, candy bars, cakes and fruit are available throughout the day, and snacks follow each dive. Tea, coffee, juice and drinking water will keep you hydrated. There are 2 bars that have a selection of beer, wines and liqueurs. During the week there will be an opportunity to enjoy a BBQ dinner on a deserted sand bank.
Day 8
Disembarkation will be after a light breakfast, then you will be transferred back to Male airport.
[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].