Route Description - The Deep South (10 nights)
Atolls: Huvadhoo Atoll - Fuvahmulah Atoll - Addu Atoll
Discover the southernmost realms of the Maldives, venturing into the Equatorial zone where Huvadhoo Atoll, Fuvahmulah Atoll, and Addu Atoll await. As the vessel crosses the Equator, it is customary for guests to pay homage to Neptune, marking the transition with reverence. Despite their remote southern location, these atolls are well-connected to the capital, Malé, situated just 300 miles to the north, with the itinerary requiring a 60-minute return domestic flight to and from Kooddoo and Gan airports.
Huvadhoo Atoll, a deep atoll swept by powerful ocean currents, offers spectacular and adrenaline-filled channel diving. Divers can reef hook on the corner and watch the thrilling display of huge schools of pelagic fish, sharks, and rays before drifting with the currents through a kaleidoscope of colorful reef fish. Inside the atoll, tranquil shallow reefs with beautiful coral formations and rich macro life await exploration. On occasion, whale sharks are drawn to the boat lights at night—a rare and unforgettable sight for those onboard.
South of Huvadhoo lies Fuvahmulah, where the ocean floor rises 2000 meters to meet the atoll reef. At a plateau around 100 feet (30 meters) deep, divers can experience a renowned site offering exhilarating drift dives. Encounters with hammerheads, threshers, silver tips, grey reefs, and even the majestic tiger shark are common in these nutrient-rich waters.
Further south still is Addu Atoll, home to the historic island of Gan. Once a vital bunkering port for the British Navy and later a British airbase during the Maldives’ time as a British protectorate, Gan holds a wealth of underwater treasures. Among them lies the wreck of the British Loyalty, a haunting remnant of wartime history now transformed into a thriving artificial reef. The eastern channels of Addu provide exhilarating drift dives, while to the north, divers can witness the grace of giant mantas gliding through a renowned cleaning station, attended by tiny cleaner wrasse.