Dune Black Manta Itinerary

Central Atolls

Day 1: 

Dune’s staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé Marina.

Day 2:
The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll. After the dive, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as diving with nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.

Day 3:
Small caves, large overhangs, drop-offs, and sloping reefs covered with corals can be found in Vaavu Atoll. Larger marine life such as grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tunas, and barracudas are often found here. We will then move west to South Ari Atoll.

Day 4:
In South Ari’s marine protected area, you will hopefully have a chance to snorkel or even scuba dive with whale sharks. Other highlights include grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, and scorpionfish. Our crew will also lead a visit to a nearby local island just before dinner.

Day 5:
Today we will cruise up to North Ari Atoll while taking a last chance to get a close look at whale sharks. In the north, channels are wider and the ocean is deeper. The currents attract many grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and other large pelagic fish. When night falls, you will be invited to go ashore again and indulge yourself in a barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.

Day 6:
Multiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas and wrecks with rich marine life are the highlights of this area of Ari Atoll. You will also find eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, schools of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers. The day will end with a manta night dive.

Day 7:
After one last dive in North Ari Atoll, the cruise will head back to North Malé Atoll. Here you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, and colourful corals with prolific pelagic and reef life. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumalé marina to spend your last night on board.

Day 8: 
Our crew will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day if you have a late flight. Various options are available, ranging from snorkelling excursions to booking accommodations.

Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.