Maldives Itineraries:

Central Route - Rasdhoo, Ari, Nilhande, Thaa and Laamu

DURATION: 10 nights
PORTS: Male to Kadhdhoo or Kadhdhoo to Male
MARINE PARK FEES: 80 EURO per person to be paid onboard in cash.
QUALIFICATION NEEDED: PADI Open water or equivalent - no minimum number of logged dives required.

This 10 night itinerary, allows up to 34 dives, including 5 night dives and takes you between Male and Khadhdhoo atolls for sharks, whales, rays, wrecks, beautiful reefs and much, much more!

Departing from Male, this safari takes you first to Rasfari Reef and Rasdhoo Atoll where making an early start you can dive with schools of scallopped hammerhead sharks. After this exhilaration you move on to spend 3 days exploring the reefs, wrecks and canyons of the northern and southern Ari Atolls. Common sightings at many of these sites are; grey reef sharks, schools of snappers and barracuda and eagle rays. Whale sharks and mantas are also known to make appearances. Shark action continues at Nilhande Atoll and into Thaa Atoll, where the lack of resorts makes for nice quiet diving. Passing through northern kandu S/Y Maldives Siren will stop at a number of sites in the central and eastern part of the atoll before moving southwards to Laamu. Your final days of diving are spent around Laamu Atoll where there is the possibility for spotting blue whales on their annual migration to the South Pole! Disembark on day 11 at Khadhdhoo airport for your return flight to Male.

Trips also depart from Khadhdhoo and end in Male following the same diving program in reverse order. See 'Route A' and 'Route B' maps below.

Itinerary Highlights:

**PLEASE NOTE** The dive sites below are just an example of the route taken and are not guaranteed. Current local laws will dictate the amount of time spent at any one dive site. All dives sites are subject to weather conditions and local seasonal knowledge and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides.

Fish Head - North Ari Atoll: The corals of the site and underwater scenery make this a must dive of the trip and it best done at dusk for the best opportunity to see a large school of grey reef sharks.

Faafu - North Nilhande Atoll: An excellent site to watch out for whale sharks. Other big fish including manta and eagle rays, grey reef and white tip reef sharks, schooling rainbow runners, barracuda and jacks are common sights.

Olhugiri Kandu - Thaa Atoll: This site offers a variety of ecosystems including a sand bank, channel and steep wall for divers to choose from. See passing pelagics along the wall or on the outer reef or watch as garden eels poke out of the sand and hunt for the numerous invertebrate species that can be found here.

Dhiyamigili Corner - Thaa Atoll: Another great spot to watch out for hammerhead sharks in the early morning. Other large fish include Napoleon wrasse, snappers and sting rays.

Want to go? Check out availability on this itinerary HERE >>>

Itinerary Maps:

Thanks to (Dray Van Beeck)for providing the featured underwater images.