Maldives

Oct 16- Oct 26, 2024 (10 nights/11 days)

Manta Rays & Whale Sharks

We have an amazing itinerary planned: starting north of Male to focus on the Baa Atoll, Hanifaru Bay (world famous for large numbers of manta rays) and the surrounding atolls (for whale sharks and reef sharks) then we make our way south before returning to Male for departure.

Group Leaders:

Kim Randall and Amanda Delaforce. Both with a wealth of travel and underwater experience. Kim is located in the US. Amanda is located in Australia. They met on a trip in the Maldives and have been passionate about diving, marine encounters and photography ever since. They have been running this trip for over 8 years. They look forward to sharing this unforgettable experience with you. Please refer to the testimonials page for comments on the ‘Maldives Dive and Snorkel Trip; Manta Rays and Whale Sharks’.

Trip Information:

We have planned this route to maximize the amount of time spent with manta rays and whale sharks.  It is an unforgettable experience. You are responsible for getting yourself to Male International Airport (MLE). A short domestic flight (included in cost) will be required to Dharavandhoo Island for a three night (Oct 16-19, 2024) stay to go out to Hanifaru Bay with the large aggregations of manta rays.  We then board the charter vessel (Oct 19-26, 2024). Please note check-in time for the vessel is usually around 2:00pm. Scuba diving courses can be undertaken on the vessel if you are an open-water diver and want to progress your level/depth. 

Cost for Trip:

• Standard room: $3595.00 USD per person (incl. green tax) – sleeps 2 pax (one double bed and one single bed) 

• Superior / Upper deck: $3945.00 USD per person (incl. green tax) – sleeps 2 pax:  1 double or 2 single beds.

• Note: All costs are in US Dollars (USD) for this trip.

Package Includes:

• 3 nights (4 days) Dharavandoo Island (Kiha Beach Hotel)

• 3 manta ray swims at the world famous Hanifaru Bay, largest aggregation of mantas in the world (Marine Protected Area)

• 1 Beach BBQ Picnic evening with traditional Maldivian music and dancing.

• 1 domestic flight (Male – Dharavandhoo)

• 7 nights onboard the luxury Carpe Novo liveaboard

• 17/18 dives from the Carpe Novo liveaboard

• 3 great buffet meals daily, plus between-dive snacks – the food is fantastic.

• Drinking water, coffee/tea

• 3 dives daily (except day of arrival and day before departure)

• Dive instructors – 1 guide to a group of 5pax – very professional and experts on the local dive sites.

• Use of air tanks or nitrox tanks, weights and belts.

• Airport transfers on the days of embarkation/disembarkation (airport transfer from Dharavandhoo to/from vessel to Male International airport)

• Presentations on marine life

• Fun & friendly atmosphere with experienced group leaders Kim & Amanda

The Vessel: Carpe Novo  

The MV Carpe Novo is a 42 metre long (138 feet) motor safari yacht with a wooden hull, three decks plus a sun deck. It is the newest boat of the Carpe Diem fleet, starting operation in 2016. With the upper sun deck, bar on the middle deck and rest area on the lower deck – you will be very spoilt for a week.

Superior rooms (upper deck): each have a king size bed which can be divided in two super singles and desk, dresser, hanging closet, large windows, individually controlled air conditioning systems, flat panel TV/HD player, private ensuite bathroom with shower.

Standard rooms (lower deck):  each room provides individually controlled air conditioning, one queen bed and one super single bed, desk/chair, dresser, hanging closet, TV/HD player, portholes, private ensuite bathroom with shower.

The electricity voltage onboard is 220V and international outlets are available onboard if required. If joining from the US, check that your chargers are 120V/220V compatible (most electronics- laptops, iPads, GoPros, camera battery chargers are compatible). 

For the photographers, the vessel offers a spacious camera room for setting up and charging cameras/batteries, and the crew will assist with carrying cameras to/from the dive dhoni and are trained in careful care of camera gear.