Emperor Virgo Itinerary
Southern Shark Adventure (MLE - GAN)15 days / 14 nights
About Emperor Virgo
- Dive the Maldives’ world-famous manta ray sites and healthy reefs
- Affordable luxury and comfort with excellent onboard facilities
- Great for non-diving partners with snorkeling, excursions and beach BBQs
- Free nitrox and a large, well-equipped dive dhoni for convenience
Emperor Virgo liveaboard was built for comfortable cruising and ease of diving, promising affordable luxury with its cosy cabins, chic lounges and a stunning sun deck. Exploring the Maldives’ vibrant reefs and manta ray sites has never been so affordable. Plus fantastic excursions and special experiences on every trip make for very happy non-divers. So look no further for an epic - yet affordable - Maldives liveaboard holiday.
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
Day 1:
Arrive in Male, join your liveaboard, and then it is off on our adventure. 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 the port.
Arrive in Male, join your liveaboard, and then it is off on our adventure. 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 the port.
Days 2-13:
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. Laamu is an oval-shaped atoll that has some of the top dive sites in the world, such as Fushi Kandu and Maabaidhoo Kandu.
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. Laamu is an oval-shaped atoll that has some of the top dive sites in the world, such as Fushi Kandu and Maabaidhoo Kandu.
Huvadhoo, one of the deepest lagoons in the Maldives, has the currents and channels ideal for even more shark sightings, including, hopefully, whale sharks and silkies, hammerheads, and grey sharks spotted most of the time. You will dive many of the world-class channels (kandus) here, including Vilingilli, Koodoo, Nilandhoo, and Mareehaa.
In Fuvahmulah, you can expect to meet tiger, silky, silvertip, and thresher sharks on the south plateaux. (Note: we don’t offer the Tiger Zoo shark feeding dive.).
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 drift 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.
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.
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
Male
Male Velana International Airport: MLE
Return
07:00am
Gan
Gan International Airport: GAN
Current availability and prices: https://www.zubludiving.com/itineraries/emperor-virgo/itn-2303010320321-southern-shark-adventure-mle-gan-