4 ATOLLS ROUTE

The 4 atolls route is the ideal route if it is the first time you visit the Maldives. It is the most complete one as it gathers all the diversity we can find in this archipelago, from the big pelagic fish to the wide range of species that dwell in the reefs.

Besides, it is the perfect route any time of the year, because regardless of the monsoon the sight of whale sharks and manta rays is almost guaranteed. In Maldives there are two monsoons: the dry one, from November to April, and the wet one, from May to October. In any case, the climate is tropical and the sun is guarateed in both seasons.

The Thilas are great mountains under the sea that we find from a depth of six meters to a maximum of thirty or fourty. The Giris are the same kind of formation but they are closer to the surface, at a depth of only three meters. There are also Farus, that stand out of the surface of the sea regardless of the tide. The characteristic they have in common is that in all of them we can enjoy carpeted reefs full of life.

In the four atoll route, the last type of dives we will enjoy during life on board are the famous Kandus, “channel” in Maldivian language. It is for many the best dive in the cruise. It takes place in the space between two islands, where the ocean currents slip in the atoll, allowing the entrance of big pelagic fish. Here one can enjoy the near sight of grey sharks, whitetip sharks, carangidae and eagle rays.

SOUTH ROUTE

South Route means the Maldives in its purest form. The islands we find during this trip remain virtually unchanged since at least 50 years ago. Still today, the main activity of the inhabitants of these islands is fishing.

This cruise is the best option for those who enjoy the thrilling meeting with the great pelagic fish. The dives are mainly set in kandus, channels which are formed between the islands.

The current in these kandus mainly attracts whitetip and grey sharks, and usually, we can gaze schools of hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, fox sharks, manta rays, moonfish, and the anxiously awaited great hammerhead. Diving in the Indian Ocean can offer us many unexpected moments.

The sight of eagle rays, carangidae, green turtles and all kinds of oceanic life is guaranteed. This is the most exciting route. Only here, in the last atolls in the south of Maldives, we can enjoy the experience of discovering a wild and unique view.

In one of the three atolls we visit in the South Route, in addition to great pelagic fish, we can see the great whale sharks coming during the night to the stern of the boat, attracted by the plankton accumulated there.

And now we have a new exciting dive spot, where the chances of a close encounter with tiger shark are really high. Check this amazing video out:

KANDU ROUTE

The Kandu Route is designed for those Maldives lovers who are looking for new experiences, different from the common routes. We have made the best selection of locations to surprise even the most demanding customers, no matter how many times they have dived in this ocean. This route includes no internal flights, as we start the journey in Male and get back to the same city after 7 nights on board. A complete week conceived to spend as much time as possible under water, available between January and April.

The dives take place in spectacular canals in the atolls we find in our way South. Divers will be surprised by the night dive in Thaa with whale sharks and not less amazed by the one where we will be surrounded by nurse sharks. Another great attraction is the visit to the cleaning station for manta rays in Mulaku (during the day). Manta rays are surprising animals, and watching them here during their particular beauty session is an unforgettable experience.

SPECIAL ROUTE 10 DAYS

The great south of Maldives always leaves you wanting for more. For this reason,  you will have the opportunity to enjoy it. We have created this special south route of 10 days. You can enjoy everything that the Maldives has to offer and also without taking domestic flights!

Through the best atolls of Maldives, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the north Thilas, their mantas at day and night, the whale shark… Then, we will follow by the atolls of the south, its channels and its spectacular pelagic life, including sharks hammers, oceanic black tips, leopard shark, tiger shark, fox shark… absolutely spectacular!

We don´t forget about the shark whale at night in Taa or Gaaf Alif, even the nurse sharks at night in Felidhoo.

Departing from Male, we go down to the south by the large atoll of Ari to reach Foomulah and re-upload to the east of the atolls, to dive in channels full of pelagic life.

Nothing escapes this super route! Do not miss it!

Check this video out and you will get an idea of what you can find in this amazing route.

Cocoa Thila

Situated on the eastern edge of South Male Atoll is Cocoa Thila. This pinnacle stretches to a whopping 400m/1312ft and slopes down to a drop-off 30m/98ft deep. Strong currents make this site better suited to advanced and experienced divers but those same currents are responsible for the wide variety of marine life found here.

Geographic features include craggy overhangs, ravines, and crevices, all of which provide a brief respite from the current. Divers should keep their eyes on the blue — that’s where the magic happens.

Things to see

The pelagics love a current so expect schools of tuna and trevally in the deeper blue water. Eagle rays flying past in formation and grey reef sharks are also a possibility. Not to mention the odd turtle here and there.

A little closer to the reef, rock cod, fusiliers, sweetlips, and snapper hang in large groups, only breaking formation when divers get a bit too close.

Fish Head

Fish Head, also known as Shark Point and Mushimasmingili Thila, is widely known as one of the very best shark dives in the Maldives. It’s also one of those bucket-list dives that many scuba travelers have on their must-dive list.

Although this pinnacle is small and reaches down to just 36m/118ft, the walls are encrusted with corals and sport enough overhangs and caves to warrant several dives here. Because the sharks were once fed here (thankfully, a tradition that has now ended) up to 20 grey reef sharks patrol the reef at any one time. Fish head gives divers a chance to see these creatures up close and personal.

Things to see

Apart from the sharks, Fish Head is packed with prolific marine life including schooling fusiliers, trevally, barracuda, and huge Napoleon wrasse.

Coral aficionados will love the sea fans and black corals while those looking to find Nemo will revel in the anemone city at the top of the reef.

Bathala Thila

This long but narrow underwater island in the middle of Ari Atoll is a must-dive for the macro photographer. It’s also a great dive to spot giant trevally and jacks hunting and hanging out in the current.

The currents can be strong, especially during a tidal change but this draws in the huge school of fusiliers who make this site their home. What divers really come to Bathala for though is the smaller stuff.

Things to see

Nudibranchs, flatworms, slugs, sea hares, shrimp, and more mean macro lovers will be in their element. On the north side, hiding around 15 to 20 meters deep, rare and reclusive leaf fish can also be found.

Kuda Giri Wreck

While the Maldives may be best known for large pelagic life and all the whale sharks and mantas you can point your camera at, there a few wrecks here too.

We like Kuda Giri because it’s an accessible dive that suits beginners and those looking for a respite from the big currents on most Maldivian dive sites. The intact steel hull of this cargo ship sits tilted on its side and provides a home to all sorts of interesting creatures.

Things to see

On the decks, you’ll find a carpet comprised of lots of colorful sponges and sea squirts. Glassfish, gobies, batfish, and frogfish are some of the smaller creatures while turtles and humphead wrasse are also present. The neighboring pinnacle often houses octopuses and the occasional leaf fish. 

Hanifaru Bay

The plankton-rich waters in this bay draw in both manta rays and whale sharks, making it one of the few places in the world where visitors can be in the water with large numbers of each of these creatures at the same time.

We’ve included Hanifaru Bay because between December and May is really is a magical place to visit. However, you won’t be needing a tank just snorkeling gear as diving in the bay is now prohibited by the Maldivian government. This doesn’t make a trip to the bay less of an experience, though.

Things to see

Apart from a lot of manta rays and whale sharks (as if that wasn’t enough) grey reef sharks and stingrays also use the bay as their Maldives nursery ground.

Vadhoo Caves

Want to combine a drift dive with an exploration of deep overhangs and a large cave? Vadhoo is the site to visit for that. Along the northern wall, a series of caves and crevices are open to divers as the current pushes them along. Depths vary from 7 to 40 meters (22-131ft) so there are spots to examine at all levels.

The dive usually ends at a colorful reef where smaller crevices hide macro critters, the perfect place for a safety stop. This site is best reserved for divers with excellent buoyancy control.

Things to see

Look out for unicornfish, soldierfish, and turtles in the overhangs and keep an eye on the entrances as tuna, white-tip reef sharks, and eagle rays often swim past.

Sun Island

The Maldives is one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks, and Sun Island is one of the best sites in the Maldives to spot these gentle giants. No scuba experience is necessary as Sun Island is open to both snorkelers and divers.

The island’s southern side is open to the Indian Ocean and has a shallow plateau at 5 to 10 meters (16-32ft), the ideal spot to wait for the sharks to pass by. Try to get here in the week before a full moon for the best chance of seeing the creatures.

Things to see 

If whale sharks aren’t enough of a drawcard, the occasional manta, shark, or turtle is also likely to pass by the plateau in the deeper water

Fuvahmulah Atoll

If you’re feeling adventurous, Fuvahmulah, a single-island atoll in the far south of the Maldives will reward your efforts with some unparalleled shark diving. Like the Galapagos and Cocoa, this island near the equator is swarming with large pelagic life.

All the dive sites here are still being discovered and, so far at least, this island is not well known. We suspect that will change soon as more and more divers discover how epic the diving is.

Things to see

Tiger sharks, mola mola, oceanic whitetips, threshers, hammerheads, reef sharks, and much more much this island a pelagic lover’s dream.

Fesdhoo Lagoon

Fesdhoo is known for its visiting manta rays and liveaboard boat captains know it. Often dived at night, the vessels moor and then use high powered lights to attract plankton to the surface. In turn, the plankton attracts mantas.

Divers hover in the shallow water as the rays bump and glide over their heads to feed on the riches. Check with your dive center or liveaboard before making this night dive as at certain times of the year, the site can be a bit crowded.

White-tip reef shark

It is one of the most often sighted sharks by divers. You can meet up with them pretty much at any coral reef. It rests in the caves and larger crevices near the reefs during the day, often in groups. It comes out of hiding during the night to go on a hunt for reef fish, octopus, crayfish, and crabs hiding among the corals. The white-tip reef shark often hunts in large groups. It sniffs out its prey, approaches it, and if necessary, breaks away the corals to get to it. It got its name from the white spots on the edges of its fins

Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip reef sharks are some of the commonest shark species in the archipelago. They are medium-sized growing up to about 1.6 meters and they have black tips on most of their fins. These sharks live in shallow waters and feed on small fish and marine animals among the reefs. In fact, you can often see baby blacktip reef sharks at most resorts including at  The juvenile blacktips can swim in very shallow waters and have been spotted coming all the way up to beaches. Blacktips are very shy and will often bolt away when you get close to them.

Leopard Shark

Leopard sharks, also called zebra sharks are one of the stunning sharks to look at as they have unique patterns on their body ranging from spots to stripes. Juvenile sharks are dark with pale stripes, whereas adults are pale with dark spots. Leopard sharks are bottom dwellers and usually remain on the seabed at a depth of around five to thirty metres.

Sharks are magnificent creatures and you can often see a few species when you snorkel or dive in these waters.

 Silvertip

The silvertip looks a lot like a grey reef shark but all its fins have been dipped in white paint so all fins have white tips. If a grey reef shark is a shark a 4-year-old would draw if you asked him to draw a shark ( the classic shark shape), the silvertip is more of an athlete and also moves a bit different but you have to be a keen observer to see they move differently. You sometimes see them on Rasdhoo Madivaru, mixed in between the grey reef sharks.