Emperor Serenity Itinerary
Southern Sharks Adventure (GAN - MLE) - 14N15 days / 14 nights
About Emperor Serenity
- Brand-new 40m vessel with 13 ensuite cabins and four spacious suites
- Separate 24m dive dhoni with equipment and compressors onboard
- Free nitrox up to 32%, plus camera stations & rental equipment
- Seasonal itineraries north to Baa Atoll and south to Fuvahmulah and Addu
Emperor Serenity is a contemporary 40m liveaboard built for exploring the Maldives in comfort, with 13 ensuite, air-conditioned cabins for just 26 guests, including four spacious suites. Replacing the original Serenity in late 2024, the new vessel is fresh and roomy, with generous outdoor decks and a relaxed indoor lounge and dining area. Diving is especially well catered for, with up to four guides, free nitrox and a substantial 24-metre dhoni keeping dive gear and activity away from the main vessel. From the manta cleaning stations and whale sharks of the central atolls to seasonal itineraries to the deep south, Serenity is ideal for divers looking for a stylish boat from an experienced operator.
Itinerary details
Length of trip 15 days / 14 nights
Number of dives 35
Experience Advanced Open Water - Minimum 100 dives
Insurance Required
Highlights
- Unique one-way itinerary, diving both above and below the equator
- Less crowded dive sites with plenty of action
- 14 nights to spend more time and visit more dive sites
- Snorkel with whale sharks at night in Huvadhoo Atoll
- Experience some of the best channel diving in the Maldives at Vaavu
- Visit the remote island of Thaa and meet the many manta rays of Meemu
- Dive into the current-swept channels of Laamu Atoll
- Chance of threshers, oceanic mantas, tiger sharks, and more
- Hammerheads, bull sharks, silky sharks, grey reef sharks, and silvertips
- Optional land visit in Addu Atoll, at the end of your trip
Day 1:
Once onboard, there will be a safety briefing, crew introduction, complete and check dive paperwork, cabin allocation, and boat orientation. Our boats moor in port on arrival day, departing early the next morning. The first dive is a check dive near port.
Days 2-13:
December to March is the time to join us, as this is when the current in the channels—or Kandus—is largely incoming from the east. There are fewer boats, and we visit atolls that have very few resorts and lots of uninhabited islands. During the 14-night trip, you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of the best diving sites in the Maldives for shark species, including hammerheads, tiger sharks, and whale sharks, as well as manta rays, eagle rays, and other large pelagic fish.
The outer walls and corners of the channels in Vaavu and Meemu have the bonus of beautiful overhangs draping in the blues, yellows, and pinks of the majestic soft coral. Hammerheads can be found in Thaa as well as whale sharks who visit our boat at night attracted by the krill, which, in turn, are attracted by the lights. When the currents are running well, the channel dives here are outstanding. Abundant with schooling snappers, trevally, barracuda, white tips and greys, grouper, Napoleon wrasse, turtles, eagle rays, and more.
Laamu is an oval-shaped atoll that has some of the top dive sites in the world, such as Fushi Kandu & Maabaidhoo Kandu, while Huvadhu, one of the deepest lagoons in the Maldives, allows you to explore the not-to-be-missed Vilingilli Kandu. Moving on, we spend the next week away from the madding crowds and on the lookout for the Indian Ocean’s larger residents: tiger sharks, silvertips, grey reef sharks, whale sharks, and many, many more.
The kandus of Koodoo, Nilandhoo, and Mareehaa are some of the best on the planet, while in Fuvahmulah you can expect to meet tiger, silky, silvertip, and thresher sharks on the south plateaux.
Right in the deep south, Addu Atoll hosts the WWII wreck, HMS British Loyalty, as well as the popular majestic manta cleaning station Maa Kandu, along with a more relaxing dive at Demon Corner to either start or end the trip.
Day 14:
On the last diving day, 1 dive is available in the morning whilst observing the rule of no diving within 24 hours of reaching altitude. We return to port at approximately 13.00 and moor here overnight. There is the option of an afternoon land visit to stretch your legs and escape the boat whilst in port. Evening time, pack up diving equipment and settle any outstanding bills.
Day 15:
Check out after breakfast and depart for the airport.
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
12:00pm
Gan
Gan International Airport: GAN
Return
07:00am
Male
Male Velana International Airport: MLE
Choose your trip
14
Mar
2027
Southern Sharks Adventure (GAN - MLE) - 14N
15 days / 14 nights
•
35 dives
from $6,494 /guest
Limited availability
14Mar 27
Southern Sharks Adventure (GAN - MLE) - 14N
15D / 14N
•
35 dives
from $6,494 /guest
Limited availability
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/emperor-serenity/itn-2309280350351-southern-sharks-adventure-gan-mle-14n