Route Description - Central & South Atolls
11 Nights 10 Days
Embark on a spectacular 10-night journey aboard the luxurious Black Manta, exploring the heart of the Maldives from North Malé to Rasdhoo. This unforgettable dive cruise immerses guests in a world of vivid coral gardens, elusive pelagics, and thrilling night dives. From reef sharks and manta rays to whale sharks and hammerheads, divers are treated to the best of both Central and South Atoll dive sites, balanced with island visits and beach barbecues. Each day offers a new underwater adventure, with expert guidance and first-class service throughout.
Day 1 – Arrival in Hulhumalé
Guests are welcomed by a DUNE representative at Malé International Airport and transferred to the Black Manta. A refreshing drink and cruise briefing await onboard. The evening ends with dinner and an overnight stay at Hulhumalé Marina.
Day 2 – North Malé to South Malé Atoll
The first dives of the cruise begin along the dazzling reefs of North Malé Atoll, where coral gardens teem with reef fish and macro species. Later, the vessel cruises to Vaavu Atoll to deliver an unforgettable night dive amidst nurse sharks, stingrays, and jacks in a thrilling feeding frenzy.
Day 3 – South Malé to Vaavu Atoll
Divers explore more manta points (seasonal: May–November) and vibrant reef systems of South Malé before returning to Vaavu Atoll. The underwater terrain here includes sloping reefs, overhangs, and drop-offs rich with titan triggerfish, white tip reef sharks, tunas, and the occasional hammerhead shark.
Day 4 – Vaavu to Faafu Atoll
The group ventures into Faafu Atoll’s outer reefs, where channels host grey reef sharks, jacks, trevallies, and barracudas. The day finishes with dives in South Ari Atoll, searching for bigger marine life amid pinnacles and coral gardens.
Day 5 – Faafu to South Ari Atoll
In the protected areas of South Ari Atoll, the first encounters with whale sharks often occur. The crew seeks out these gentle giants for snorkeling or diving opportunities. Between thilas and wrecks, divers may also spot napoleon wrasse, moray eels, and scorpionfish. The day concludes with a visit to a nearby local island before dinner.
Day 6 – South Ari Atoll
The search for whale sharks continues while cruising toward North Ari Atoll. Here, wider channels and deeper ocean invite sightings of large pelagics. The evening features a BBQ dinner on a deserted island under the stars.
Day 7 – South Ari to North Ari Atoll
Divers experience thilas, wrecks, and manta cleaning stations, with opportunities to see eagle rays, turtles, and schools of batfish and snapper. The highlight of the evening is a manta night dive, where enormous manta rays feed directly in front of diver torches.
Day 8 – North Ari Atoll
North Ari offers a compelling mix of pelagics and stunning reefscapes. Dives may also include Rasdhoo Atoll, where mantas and even hammerheads may appear. Drift dives amid schools of fusiliers, snappers, and sharks make for exhilarating underwater experiences.
Day 9 – North Ari to Rasdhoo Atoll
The cruise makes its final northern dive stops around Rasdhoo and North Malé. Reefs are rich with frogfish, nudibranchs, sweetlips, and bannerfish. The boat returns to Hulhumalé in the afternoon for the final night onboard.
Day 10 – Disembarkation at Hulhumalé
After breakfast, the crew organizes transfers back to Malé International Airport. Guests leave the Black Manta with unforgettable memories and perhaps plans to return.