Diving Safaris

The underwater world of Maldives offers excellent scuba diving and snorkelling. Discover a world which is infused with explosive colours and magnificent marine life.

Indulge on a trip to North Malé Atoll which is possibly the most explored dive area of the Maldives. Characterised by some of the most popular reefs in the Maldives like Banana Reef, Lankan Manta Point, SS Seagull, Gaafaru Atoll, Nassimo Thila and Kuda Haa where scuba diving is possible year around. The Maldives Victory, a 110m/360ft long vessel, which sank in 1981 near Hulhule Island offers advanced divers an intriguing wreck diving experience.

A trip down to South Malé Atoll at Cocoa Thila and Vadhoo Caves, can be an exhilarating experience, as the dive sites offer an abundance of fish, rays and sharks while exploring among ravines and overhangs. Ari Atoll is synonymous with manta rays followed by majestic whale sharks and schooling hammerheads. This dive region favours pinnacles and channels that is a treat for drift diving. Whereas a visit to Vaavu Atoll will be an opportunity to observe the turtles, reef sharks, butterflyfish and oriental sweet lips with leopard skin pattern on their fins.

Our Dive Guides will ensure some of the best underwater experiences from the Maldives are created.

Diving Safari Itineraries

Departure

Male’ International Airport

Arrival

Male’ International Airport

Atolls Visited

South Male’ Atoll

Accommodation

Full Board (included meals: 3 breakfast, 3 lunch & 3 dinner)

Best Period

All Year

Best For

Diving and Island Hopping

Trip Highlights

• Cruise on a traditional Dhoni which will be your home for the next 4 days with your personal crew and chef
• All meals prepared fresh for you on boat by your personal Cook
• Time spent on some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in the world
• World class diving right off your Dhoni
• Enjoy the warm, clear turquoise waters and unique marine life of the Maldives
• Swim and dive with stingrays, manta rays, reef shark, white-tip shark, hammerhead shark, and huge variety of reef fish
• Visit the traditional fishing villages and meet locals and visit the capital city Male’

Recommended Itinerary

 

One of the greatest attraction of the Maldives is the seemingly endless numbers of top quality diving options. While on a Voyages diving safari you will be travelling along the remote atolls of the idyllic Maldives, abroad one of our traditional style boats “Dhoni” with direct excess to some of these dives sites. The next 4 days of your holiday in the Maldives could be something like this:

DAY 1

Join the cruise and visit a local island at South Male’

Welcome on board the dhoni at the airport or at Male’, the capital. Cruise towards South Male’, snorkeling at one of the reefs enroute. Visit Gulhi, a very old inhabited island renowned for its fishing.
Night at anchorage on Gulhi Lagoon.

DAY 2

Day on diving & visit local island

Early morning dive at Kuda Giri Wreck. This steel wreck lies upright between 20 and 35meters located on the south west side of a small reef west of Dhigufinolhu. The second dive of the day will be at Lhosfushi Kandu, there are plenty of fish life here including napolean, white-tip reef sharks, large morays and during south west monsoon there are manta rays. Another regular visitor is a guitar shark.
After lunch dive at Villivaru Giri. Visit the island of Guraidhoo in the evening, a local fishing village with a rich history.
Night at anchorage on Guraidhoo Lagoon.

DAY 3

Day on diving and BBQ

After an early morning tea/coffee your first dive will be at Kandooma Thila. This is one of the most exciting dives in South Male’ Atoll and boasts great scenery as well as prolific fish life.
Second dive will be at Velassaru or Vaadhoo caves. Both very similar and are the most spectacular cave dives in the South Male’ Atoll.
Spend the night at one of the beautiful sandbanks where our crew will prepare a delicious beach barbeque.

DAY 4

Visit Male’ and end of cruise

After breakfast cruise towards North Male’ Atoll. Visit the capital Male’, where you will be given a guided tour and sometime for you to explore the city by yourself and shop for some souvenirs. After that depart to the Airport.

This is only a recommended itinerary. The trip is very flexible, but it all depends on the weather.

Departure

Male’ International Airport

Arrival

Male’ International Airport

Atolls Visited

Male’ Atoll

Accommodation

Full Board (included meals: 4 breakfast, 4 lunch & 4 dinner)

Best Period

All Year

Best For

Diving and Island Hopping

Trip Highlights

• Cruise on a traditional Dhoni which will be your home for the next 5 days with your personal crew and chef
• All meals prepared fresh for you on boat by your personal Cook, you will get a chance to make some local cuisines
• Time spent on some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in the world
• World class diving right off your Dhoni
• Enjoy the warm, clear turquoise waters and unique marine life of the Maldives
• Swim and dive with stingrays, manta rays, reef shark, white-tip shark, hammerhead shark, and huge variety of reef fish
• Visit the traditional fishing villages and meet locals & visit the capital city Male’

Recommended Itinerary

 

One of the greatest attraction of the Maldives is the seemingly endless numbers of top quality diving options. While on a Voyages diving safari you will be travelling along the remote atolls of the idyllic Maldives, abroad one of our traditional style boats “Dhoni” with direct excess to some of these dives sites. The next 5 days of your holiday in the Maldives could be something like this:

DAY 1

Join the cruise and visit to North Male’ Manta point and visit Local island

Welcome on board the dhoni at the Airport. After settling into your cabins, the captain or one of our crew member will go through all the safety aspect of the tour. On the first day, we will depart to North Male’ Atoll Manta point near Paradise island, this will take 1 hour maximum. Afternoon we cruise to Gulhi, a local island in the South Male’ Atoll. Afternoon is a good time to visit this lively village, which often has large dhonis under construction and very few tourist groups visiting it. We enjoy the laid-back pace and traditional way of life of its people; as with all the villages that we visit it is important to remember to dress respectfully and behave responsibly. When visiting a house or mosque, shoes must be removed. We hope to be invited to a performance of Bodu Beru (Big Drum) in the evening, the traditional folk music of the country.
Overnight Accommodation on Boat Included meals: Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2

Day on Diving, snorkeling & BBQ

Early morning dive at Kuda Giri Wreck, this steel wreck lies upright between 20 and 35 meters located on the south west of a small reef west of Dhigufinolhu. The second dive will be Lhosfushi Kandu, there are plenty of fish life there including napoleon, white -tip reef shark, large morays and during southwest monsoon there are manta rays. Another regular visitor is guitar shark. The day will end with a wonderful beach barbecue set up for you if the weather permits on Rihiveli Boduveli. Night at anchorage on Rihiveli Bouveli lagoon Overnight Accommodation on Boat Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

Day on Diving & snorkeling

After an early Tea/Coffee your first dive at Guraidhoo Kandu – This entire area is a protected area and has intricate reef system with many diving options and is one of the premier diving locations in the Maldives. In this area you are bound to see mantas, sharks, trevally, tuna and fusilier. Night at anchor on Guraidhoo Lagoon, a very old fishing Village with a rich history. The Islanders are very welcoming, perfect for some sightseeing all by yourself.
Overnight Accommodation on Boat Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 4

Capital Male’ City tour & farewell dinner

After breakfast we dive at Kandooma Thila, this is one of the most exciting dive in South Male’ Atoll and boasts great scenery as well as prolific fish life. Second dive will be at Velssaru or Vadhoo caves. Both very similar and are most spectacular cave dives in the South Male’ Atoll. After lunch you will visit the Capital City Male’ to visit the local fish market as well as the fruit and vegetable market and visit the Museum before heading back to the boat. This night our crewmembers will prepare a very special Maldivian local dinner for your farewell. Night anchor at HulhuMale.
Overnight Accommodation on Boat Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 5

End of the cruise

After breakfast depart to the Airport. Included meals: Breakfast.

This is only a recommended itinerary. The trip is very flexible, but it all depends on the weather.

Departure

Male’ International Airport

Arrival

Male’ International Airport

Atolls Visited

North & South Male’, Rasdhoo, North & South Ari Atoll

Accommodation

Full Board (Included meals: 7 breakfast, 7 lunch & 7 dinner)

Best Period

All Year

Best For

Diving and Island Hopping

Trip Highlights

• Cruise on a traditional Dhoni which will be your home for the next 7 days with your personal crew and chef
• All meals prepared fresh for you on boat by your personal Chef
• Time spent on some of the most beautiful white sandy beaches in the world
• World class diving right off your Dhoni
• Enjoy the warm, clear turquoise waters and unique marine life of the Maldives
• Swim and dive with stingrays, manta rays, reef shark, white-tip shark, hammerhead shark, turtles and a huge variety of reef fish.
• Cruise through the atolls and visit the traditional fishing villages

Recommended Itinerary

 

One of the greatest attractions of the Maldives is the seemingly endless number of top quality diving options. While on a cruising safari you will be travelling along the remote atolls of the idyllic Maldives, aboard one of our traditional style boats “Dhoni”. The next 7 days of your holiday in the Maldives could be something like this:

DAY 1

Join the cruise and travel to South Male’ Atoll

Welcome on board at the Airport or at Male’, the capital.
Cruise towards Velessaru for your first dive. This will be more of test dive to check your strengths and get a feel of what it is like to dive in the Maldives. You will have a chance to dive at Velassaru Caves. Velassaru Caves is found directly north of Velassaru and cuts into the vertical wall of the reef causing a jagged appearance. Some of the caves have sandy bottoms and make ideal resting places for stingrays, turtles and nurse sharks.
Anchorage in Gulhi lagoon for the night.

DAY 2

Cruise to Rasdhoo

After an early morning tea/coffee at 0600 hrs the first dive of the day will be at Vadhoo Caves. Very similar to the Velassaru Caves, and are one of the most spectacular cave dives in the South of Male’ Atoll. There is a string of caves along the steep wall of Vaadhoo Kandu beginning which one big cave from 7 – 25 meters on the north west side of the reef. There is also a long overhang at 30 meters and a narrow cave with a swim-through. Depart to Rasdhoo (4-5hrs) and breakfast will be served on the way.
After lunch the afternoon dive will be at Rasdhoo-Madivaru. Rasdhoo- Madivaru is the perfect place to view scalloped hammerhead shark and mantas. Also it has one of the most spectacular and confusing reef formations to be found in Ari-Atoll. A narrow spur, like a suspension bridge, extends out from the reef across the channel rising to a peak at 13 meters. Along the spur is a profusion of fish life ranging from pelagic like schooling barracuda, trevally and little tuna. If you would like you could visit the island Rasdhoo, which is a very old inhabited island with Buddhist origin.
Anchorage in Rasdhoo Lagoon for the night.

DAY 3

Cruise to North Ari Atoll

After and early morning tea/coffee have a repeat dive at Rasdhoo-Madivaru as early morning is the best time to view the hammerhead sharks.
After the dive depart North Ari Atoll (2 hrs) and breakfast will be served on the way.
Today you have the option of an afternoon dive or a night dive. If doing the night dive you are free to relax and enjoy some sun on one of the many uninhabited islands.
The second dive of the day will be at Maaya Thila, whether you decide to do in the afternoon or night. Maaya Thila is a protected marine area. This is the white-tips reef shark capital. Although grey reef sharks are common here, the smaller white-tips are the center of attention. There are many caves and overhangs all around the thila. Here along with the white-tips you will see, dog-toothed tuna and great barracuda to blueface angelfish, moorish idol, tallfin batfish, parrotfish, butterfly fish, clown-trigger fish and lionfish. This dive is a fish watchers delight and the beautiful soft coral and gorgonians on the reef faces are great attractions.
Anchorage in Maayafushi lagoon for the night.

DAY 4

Cruise to South Ari Atoll & BBQ

After breakfast morning dive will be at Hafzaa Thila where you will get a chance to see more sharks. Afternoon dive will be at Rahdhigaa Thila which has wonderful coral formation. Afternoon and night will be spend on Rahdhigaa island. Rahdhigaa is a beautiful uninhabited island with a sand entrance to the beach, perfect for some relaxation on the beach and catch some sun.Tonight for dinner our crew will prepare the most wonderful beach barbecue under the stars.
Anchorage in Rahdhigaa lagoon for the night.

DAY 5

Cruise in search of Manta Rays and Whale Sharks – South Ari Atoll

Very early morning Dhoni will travel towards Rangali, breakfast will be served on the way. Morning dive will be at Rangali Madivaru manta point in South Ari Atoll. This is ones again a protected marine area, with a lot of mantas. There are many cavities in the reef, some overhangs, caves and two swim throughs all with seafans. All along the reef are blue-stripped snapper, napoleon, parrotfish, basslet and juvenile and adult midnight snapper and at the top are excellent table corals.
Afternoon dive will be at Maamigili Reef searching for whale sharks. Whale sharks are usually seen cruising along the shallow water outside the atoll and if you are fortunate enough you might just see one. In this area you are also likely to see some white-tip reef sharks, turtles, sting-rays and napoleon. Night at anchorage on Dhigurah Lagoon. Dhigu means long and it is infact the longest island in the atoll. It is also one of the most picture perfect fishing village with its long beach, protected lagoon and thatched huts mingling with heavy foliage. Perfect for a walk about in the late afternoon.

DAY 6

Cruise back to South Male’ Atoll

After an early morning tea/coffee, morning dive will be at Kudarah Thila, which is said to be one of the most exciting dives in South Ari Atoll. On the deeper more gentle slopes on the northern side are great expanses of large seafans. Such fields of fans are rarely seen and when the current is flowing they all sway as one. Coral grown is very good and you will see a variety reef fish and shark. After this dive cross to South Male’ Atoll (5hrs), breakfast and lunch will be served on the way. Afternoon dive will be at Guraidhoo Kandu.This entire area is a protected area and has an intricate reef system with many diving options and is one of the premier diving locations in the Maldives. In this area you are bound to see mantas, sharks, trevally, tuna and fusilier.
Night at anchorage on Guraidhoo Lagoon, a very old local fishing village with a rich history. The islanders are very welcoming, perfect for some sightseeing all by yourself.

DAY 7

Male’ Visit – North Male’ Atoll

After an early morning tea/coffee your first dive will be at Kandhooma Thila. This is one of the most exciting dives in South of Male’ Atoll and boasts great scenery as well as prolific fish life. There are dense schools of big-eye trevally and snapper and sometimes there are dog-toothed tuna and barracuda.
After the dive, cruise towards Male’, breakfast will be served on the way. Before lunch you will have your second dive of the day at Banana Reef, which is one of the first dive sites discovered in the Maldives. The best diving is at the north-eastern end where there are big spectacular rocks, caves, deep gutters and precipitous overhangs. After lunch, you will visit the Capital Male’. A Male’ tour is a must, visiting – the Islamic Centre, Museum, local fish and fruit markets etc. After a guided Male’ tour you will be given some time on your own to explore and do some souvenir shopping or just for a little wander by yourself.
Anchorage at Hulhumale harbor for the night.

DAY 8

End of the cruise

After breakfast depart to the Airport.

This is only a recommended itinerary. The trip is very flexible, but it all depends on the weather.