Join Other SeaCrush Divers on This Mantas Trip to Maldives Northern Atolls!
Overall Rating
I had a lovely trip, saw lots of sharks! Food was very good too, they made us a Maldivian feast on the last night it was excellent! NB: Seafari is a French speaking dive company, they do cater to needs of non-french speakers but for the social aspect and getting the best out of the dive briefings it's best to book with them if you speak French yourself. I think the itinerary on the central route is extremely touristy. Especially Ari Atoll (North and South) is over-dived and the coral is in very bad shape. For S.Ari in particular there's a chance to see whale sharks, but you should be careful as there are often lots of dive boats in the water at one time just for 1 whale shark. Seafari did advise on how best to be in the water to not disturb the whale shark but other boats do not and so I think participating in 'snorkel with a whale shark' itineraries is not going to be good for their presence around the atoll in the long run. Watch your buoyancy over the reefs, there's strong currents in the Maldives (which are a lot of fun!) but you will need to hold onto the rocks at times and so its worth making sure your fins/ knees etc don't touch the coral when you're hanging on! Really looking forward to going back and seeing the Northern Atolls in the Maldives! :D
I did some of the best diving of my life on the Seafari Explorer in the Maldives. The Central & South Atolls itinerary included some incredible dive sites and we were lucky to see mantas, whale sharks and SO many other types of sharks (including ending up in the middle of a cleaning station with 30-40 of them swimming round us in a circle!)... the night dive with hundreds of nurse sharks blew my mind! Tom was an excellent guide and definitely showed us the best that the Maldives had to offer. The boat itself was very comfortable with lots of space for relaxing between dives and food was plentiful and delicious. An absolutely top notch dive trip, highly recommended!
Why We Love It
Join other SeaCrush divers for this Mantas Trip in Maldives from October 10-20, 2024! Once a year, large aggregations of mantas take place in September-October at full moon. From Male, we will head towards the atolls of Lhaviyani, Raa, and Baa. Get ready to dive and snorkel with dozens of manta rays, and observe nurse sharks, whale sharks, and multitudes of tropical fish! We particularly like the splendid boat, the dedicated team, and the excellent value for money of this diving cruise!
Conservation
They adhere to Longitude 181's International Charter for Responsible Diving and reduce the use of single-use plastics as much as possible. SeaCrush team will send all the manta rays pictures we'll take to the Manta Trust NGO to identify them.
Who Is It For?
For divers who want to see some big pelagic and are comfortable in moderate currents. You must have logged at least 50 dives or have a Level 2 certification (Advanced Open Water or equivalent). It is possible to do the course on board - please ask us for more information.
Prices and Dates
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Dive Briefing!
Marine Life
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Having more than 26 atolls, the Maldives offers an incredible diversity of corals and fish, with more than 2,000 species recorded so far.
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In the Northern atolls, you'll dive in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with one of the largest coral reef diversity of the Indian Ocean.
Dive Conditions
- Season: northern atolls September-October
- Currents: can be moderate to strong in a few well-known sites
- Visibility: 15 to 40 m (50 to 131 ft)
- Water Temperature: ranges 26° to 29°C (79° to 84°F) in North and Central atolls, and 25° to 30°C (77° to 86°F) in the South
- Depth: shallow and deep dives
Dive Sites
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All over Maldives, you'll dive in a fantastic topography with plenty of swim-throughs, pinnacles, caverns, overhangs, and coral gardens.
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In the Northern atolls, sites include Fotteyo Kandu in Vaavu Atoll, Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll, and Kuredu Express in Lhaviyani Atoll.
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Dive sites may change according to local conditions.
The Team
- Operation created in 2008
- Number of boats: 3
- PADI courses - ask us
- Languages spoken: English, French, Italian, Maldivian
- Private dive guide on demand, with an additional cost of $10 (about ... EUR) per dive
Safety Information
- Equipment Recommended: a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit, depending on the time of the year
- Insurance: both dive insurance and travel insurance are mandatory. We recommend DAN Europe that has plans to cover both - ask us for a quote
- Nearest Hyperbaric Chamber: in Lhaviyani Atoll
Visas, Flights, and More!
Visa Requirements
- You must have a passport valid for at least six months, a pre-paid or booking accomodation proof, sufficient funds for your stay, and a return ticket.
- Tourist visa is granted for all nationalities, on arrival, for up to thirty days.
- Please check current visa policies that apply for your country: Maldives Immigration website
How to Get There
- Fly to the Maldives capital city of Male (MLE).
- The liveaboard team will pick you up and drop you off at the airport. Plan to land before noon on the first day. On the last day, take a flight departing after 11 am.
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- Bring some reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash guard to protect from the sun, and some mosquito repellent. Additionally, bring a pair of conservative clothes covering your legs and shoulders, as you may visit a village-island.
Destinations
Right Season
Dive Operators
Booking Fees
