HANIFARU BAY & NORTHERN ATOLLS

STARTING AT USD 2,799

This Itinerary will take you far away from the crowds to a UNESCO reserve with thilas (submerged pinnacles) covered in bustling fish life, Stunning bays with mantas that dance during the full moon and new moon, colourful coral gardens, cleaning stations and shipwrecks submerged in crystal clear water. On your journey back we will stop to experience the dive sites of the North Male Atoll.

Cruise Highlights

This itinerary will take you to Baa Atoll. This is a biosphere reserve for UNESCO with thilas covered in fish. Also the special Hanifaru Bay where you can enjoy the mantas dancing during the full moon and new moon festivals. It’s a special itinerary for Maldives lovers, because it will offer the opportunity to explore the Northern Atolls far from the crowds.

You will visit the pristine coral gardens and Manta point, these are the manta cleaning stations of Raa atoll. Then we will visit Lhaviyani Atoll, with shipwrecks, another Manta point with manta cleaning stations and channels full of shark action. On the way back we will give you the opportunity to explore the northern dive sites of North Male Atoll.

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Hanifaru Bay & Northern Atolls
02-Hanifaru-Bay-flag

Diving Areas

Hanifaru Bay is about 65 Nautical miles from Male where you will embark on your journey.

Hanifaru Bay is a UNESCO reserve located in Baah Atoll, this is your first stop during this itinerary. You will then head to Raa Atoll. Raa Atoll has bustling manta cleaning stations. Then you will head to Lhaviyani Atoll where you will see a ship wreck, manta cleaning stations and channels full of sharks. On the way back to Male you will stop off at dive sites in North Male Atoll. (sites depend on conditions and timing)

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Baah Atoll

This is the site of the UNESCO biosphere Hanifaru bay. Here manta rays and whale sharks come to feed within the protected bay. This bay traps loads of nutrients and plankton.

Raa Atoll

The topography here is very unique. There are pinnacles that are home to sea turtles and eagle rays. There are also multiple cleaning stations around this atoll that the oceans gentle giants come to, to be cleaned surrounded by colourful corals. This is one of the places that you will see those signature white sand beaches and stunning blue water that the Maldives is known for.

Lhaviyani Atoll

Here you will find a few turtle research and rescue centres. If the current is right you will have the chance to look into turtle caves and have the chance to see countless green sea turtles as the cruise by. There is also a channel dive here that the current can pick up and become very strong, bringing in schools of eagle rays, sharks and other pelagic creatures.

Other Information

Embarkation and Disembarkation from Male (MNE)

What you may see :

  • Manta rays
  • Grey reef sharks
  • Black and white tip reef sharks
  • Turtles
  • And much much more…

The Maldives is affected by 2 different monsoons. This itinerary is fantastic year round as it has different options for both monsoons. 

July- November – Best chance to see Whale sharks and Manta Rays
January – April – Known for its crystal-clear visibility and dry warm weather.

Water Temperature: 27 to 30 degrees Celsius (80-86 Fahrenheit)

Air Temperature: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius (77-90 Fahrenheit)

Current: Gentle to Strong

Visibility: 10 to 40 metres 

Experience Level: Beginner to Advanced

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More Destinations to Explore

Best of Central Atolls

March – November

Wonders of the Deep South

January- February – March