Emperor Virgo Itinerary

Southern Shark Adventure (GAN - MLE)

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. 

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.

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.

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.