Dune Black Manta Itinerary
Central Atoll Plus11 days / 10 nights
About Dune Black Manta
- Accommodates up to 28 guests in 16 ensuite cabins
- Spacious sundeck with massage services, plus indoor lounge
- Experienced and friendly crew, plus well-established operator
Dune Black Manta liveaboard offers an unparalleled diving experience in the Maldives, combining luxury accommodation and exceptional service, with world-class diving facilities. Guests can experience the world-class marine life of the Maldives while enjoying the comfort of spacious, air-conditioned cabins, personalized service, and exquisite dining. What sets Black Manta apart is its commitment to providing a seamless blend of adventure and relaxation, ensuring divers of all levels have an unforgettable journey.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 11 days / 10 nights
Number of dives 24
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 30 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- Circular trip combining both the popular and less-travelled central atolls
- High chance of snorkelling or diving with whale sharks
- Witness manta rays queuing up at cleaning stations
- Search for pelagics of all kinds in Rasdhoo Atoll
- Night dive with the feeding Nurse sharks of Alimatha
- Experience some of the best channel diving in the Maldives at Vaavu
- Swim with whale sharks at Maamigili, one of South Ari Atoll’s best sites
- Enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner on a secluded island
Day 1: Male
Our Dune team will warmly welcome you at Male airport and ensure a smooth transfer to the boat. The cruise director will help you with paperwork and cabin allocation, making you feel at home right away. The rest of the day is for settling in and getting comfortable. Depending on your arrival time, the boat may start sailing.
Day 2: North Male, Lankan Paradise, Rasdhoo Atoll
Discover the Maldives with our exclusive trip to North Malé Atoll and Rasdhoo Atoll! Dive into Maa Giri's vibrant reef, explore Lankan Paradise's manta cleaning station, and encounter pelagic life at Rasdhoo Kandu. End your dives with a possible sandbank landing for an unforgettable adventure.
Day 3: Rasdhoo Khandu, Ari Atoll, Maaya Thila
This trip includes diving at Rasdhoo Kandu in Rasdhoo Atoll and exploring two thilas in Ari Atoll: Maaya Thila, known for its abundance of striped trevally, sharks, and turtles; and Fish Head, teeming with sharks, butterflyfish, batfish, turtles, tuna, and groupers.
Day 4: Ari Atoll
You will explore Fesdhoo Wreck, a small wreck beside a vibrant thila covered in colorful anemones. Next, dive into Moofushi Kandu, where you'll encounter sharks or mantas, depending on the season, along with an abundance of fish. Lastly, visit Angaga Thila, a small thila boasting diverse and varied marine life.
Day 5: Ari Atoll
Discover Urueli Kandu, a southwest Ari Atoll pass with sandy bottoms, scattered rocks, and sharks. Dive at Maamigili House Reef, an outer reef in the south of Ari Atoll, where you might encounter whale sharks and other pelagics. Explore Kudi Maa, a wreck teeming with trevally, soldierfish, and stonefish.
Day 6: Ari Atoll
Experience Mahibadhoo Kandu and Lily Rock, both renowned manta cleaning stations. At Kudarah Thila, encounter a vibrant array of colorful fish, along with hunting trevally and sharks. In the evening, enjoy a BBQ and connect with fellow guests, weather permitting.
Day 7: Ari Atoll - Vaavu Atoll
Explore Five Rocks, a unique thila split into five sections, showcasing vibrant, colorful coral formations and intriguing architecture. In Vaavu Atoll, dive at Fotteyo, a pass at the southeastern tip rich in soft corals of all colors and frequented by pelagics, including occasional hammerhead sharks. A sandbank landing may be possible after the dive. Note that due to the long crossing, only two dives will be conducted.
Day 8: Vaavu Atoll
Explore Fotteyo in Vaavu Atoll, known for its vibrant soft corals and pelagics, including occasional hammerhead sharks. Dive into Fushi Kandu, a narrow pass where you'll encounter sharks, eagle rays, and abundant tuna and trevally. Experience a thrilling night dive at Alimatha House Reef, observing nurse sharks, blacktips, and jacks hunting after dark.
Day 9: South Male Atoll
First dive in Kandhomaa Thila, aptly named for its abundant sharks. In South Male, explore Kandhooma Thila, a long thila in a pass teeming with pelagics and potential shark cleaning stations. Enjoy drift diving along Cocoa House Reef, where you'll encounter numerous green turtles and a variety of fish.
Day 10: North Male Atoll
Discover Kandhooma Thila, a long thila with a rich diversity of pelagics and potential shark cleaning stations. In a second dive in Khandhoma thila to appreciate the full amount of species we can encounter on this dive site. Explore Kuda Giri, a wreck near a shoal filled with mirror porpoises and sheltered from the current. Dive at Fish Tank, an inner reef teeming with moray eels and stingrays. Note that dives may depend on time to ensure equipment rinsing is completed promptly.
Day 11: Male
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye and disembark from the boat. Our team will be available to help you plan your last day according to your flight schedule, whether you want to stay at a guesthouse or explore more of the Maldives. And you'll return home with a head full of beautiful memories.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.
Sample itineraries are for guidance only. Actual itineraries may differ slightly due to factors such as weather, wildlife, logistics, and local regulations.
Transfer details
Departure
03:00pm
Male
Male Velana International Airport: MLE
Return
08:00am
Male
Male Velana International Airport: MLE
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/dune-black-manta/itn-2503110324251-central-atoll-plus