Access to the dream of mythical encounters with pelagics in the heart of magnificent landscapes, for lovers of sport diving!
Itinerary 10 nights, North & South Male, Vaavu, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, North & South Gaafu, Fuvamulah Atoll.
The itinerary is subject to weather conditions and may be subject to change.
Best period: January to April
Itinerary
Day 1Hulhumale
A Dune agent will meet you at the airport and will transport you to the Noraya. Once you arrive, you will be offered refreshments while the cruise director will provide you with all the necessary information about the ship's organisation and the details of your cruise. Dinner will be served in the evening and the first night will be spent in the Hulhumale marina.
Day 2North Male - South Male - Vaavu Atoll
The trip will start by exploring the long reefs of North Male Atoll. Corals are abundant here, providing an exceptional home for many fish and smaller creatures. After the first dive we will sail to Vaavu Atoll to get straight into the heart of the action. There is nothing more exciting than watching sharks, rays and jacks crevalles searching for food.
Day 3Vaavu Atoll - Meemu Atoll
In addition to the exceptional topography and marine life, you will also visit the virgin reefs of Meemu Atoll. The excellent canal covered with steep walls and overhangs covered in soft corals. A great chance to encounter hammerheads with grey sharks, white tip sharks, eagle rays, napoleons and turtles.
Day 4Meemu Atoll - Thaa Atoll - Laamu Atoll
Travelling south, you will discover a varied topography: thilas, gyres, canals, coral gardens and overhangs. You will also encounter reef sharks, white tips, eagle rays, tunas, and jacks crevalles shoals.
Day 5Laamu Atoll - North Gaafu Atoll
Laamu Atoll is characterised by drift dives and deep canals that attracts sharks, rays, jacks crevalles and tunas. You will also discover intact caves and drops offs. The central lagoon hosts large shoals of parrotfish, triggerfish and turtles.
Day 6North Gaafu - South Gaafu Atoll
The largest atoll in the Maldives, located in the deep south, offers intact reefs and lagoons. A wide variety of turtles and sharks, including blacktip, whitetip and nurse sharks have made their home here. You may even be lucky enough to see the bulldog and tiger sharks that sometimes honour us with their presence.
Day 7Gaafu Atoll South - Fuvamulah
Gaaf dhall is also made up of very beautiful canals with intact corals and also very frequented by pelagics.
Depending on current and wind conditions we will then head to the mythical site of Fuvamulah. Located below the equator, it is renowned for the presence of many sharks, in particular tiger sharks, and very often reserves beautiful surprise encounters!
Day 8Fuvamulah Atoll
We will spend the day on this mythical atoll searching for large pelagic fish for special encounters. In addition to the beautiful underwater scenery, there are also new chances to encounter napoleons and other shoals of coral fish.
Day 9Fuvamulah - Gaafu Atoll
A last dive on Fuvamulah atoll and then we will go back up to Gaafu to enjoy the multitude of canals that this atoll offers. Afterwards we will anchor at night with the possibility to observe whale sharks at the back of the boat.
Day 10Gaafu Atoll
Depending on your return flights we will make 2 to 3 dives in the passes around the islands of Vilingili and Khoodoo.
Day 11Khoodoo
Departure from the boat to Khoodoo domestic airport and transfer to Male airport for your international flight.
A circuit with a strong reputation, the Southern Maldives is an itinerary that is characterized by a pelagic presence that no one can get enough of. A physical cruise with lots of technical dives in the canals. Realize your dream of meeting the mythical underwater species for which the Maldives is famous, in the heart of magnificent landscapes.
The goal of Dune Maldives is to build a personalised journey that exceeds your expectations. The sites and atolls that you visit will be selected based on your desires, while also considering the weather conditions and tides.The itinerary presented is therefore a standard itinerary that can be modified.
A typical day aboard one of our boats includes 2 to 3 dives and is structured as follows:
06h30: Wake up, tea/coffee
07h00: Briefing of the first dive on the main boat and departure from the Dhoni
09h00: Breakfast on board the main boat
11h00: Briefing of the second dive on the main boat and departure from the Dhoni
13h00: Lunch aboard the main boat
15h30: Briefing of the third dive on the main boat and departure from the Dhoni
17h00: Snack, tea/coffee
19h00: Cocktails!
20h00: Dinner
In case of a night dive, the dinner (and cocktail) will of course be rescheduled after the dive, which will take place around 7pm.
The 10-night cruise in a double cabin (single occupancy is available at an additional cost)
2 to 4 guides (dive master and instructors)
12L single output aluminum blocks (DIN/Etrier) and weights.
8 to 10 professional crew members on the boat
23 dives minimum, additional dives possible depending on weather conditions and flight schedules
All meals on board, water, tea and coffee
The chosen itinerary may be adjusted according to requests
Dune reserves the right to limit the frequency of diving according to: external events, weather conditions, diving level limitations, physical condition of divers... without any compensation being claimed.
Nitrox is free and cannot be claimed, especially in case of compressor failure.
Maldivian tourist taxes
Wifi: subject to network availability. Some areas may not be covered
*Surcharges: Dune Noraya Liveaboard reserves the right to apply an appropriate surcharge to its prices if economic changes (such as exchange rates, fuel prices, etc.) make a significant difference in its pricing structure. - A minimum of 14 days notice will be given before such a surcharge becomes effective. - No surcharges will be applied within 28 days prior to departure. - If the surcharge results in an increase of 10% or more in the price of the cruise, dive package or dive course, cancellation and full refund will be allowed. Notification of intent to cancel must be made in writing within 14 days of the notification or surcharge.
Not included
International and domestic flights
domestic flight in 10 nights down and up south approximately 260$ current price
Additional drinks: alcohol, espresso coffee etc
Rental of diving equipment, diving flashlight, SMB, computer...
Diving courses
Supplement for superior cabin, sea view or single cabin use
Speedboat, seaplane transfers or fees due to flight delays/cancellations
Service charge $240 per passenger, to be paid in cash on board at the end of the trip.
Fuel surcharge
Practical info
Food
Local cuisine and international menus will be served on board.
Accommodation
Based on a double cabin to share. If you register as an individual, it is up to you to agree to share your cabin with a man or a woman or to book a single cabin for an additional fee.
The beds of some cabins can be moved to form a double bed or 2 single beds.
Cabins categorized (as standard, superior, or sea view) are subject to different prices if specifically booked in advance.
Transportation
When you arrive at Male International Airport, you will first go through the security checkpoint. You will collect your luggage. Then, you will be welcomed by a member of Dune Maldives with a "Dune" panel and wearing an orange T-shirt.
The transfer from the airport to the main boat will be done with the Dhoni dive boat (about 15-20min).
The first transfer is at 15:00 from the airport. The return is immediately after breakfast on the last day.
A Dune agent will meet you at the airport and will transport you to the Noraya. Once you arrive, you will be offered refreshments while the cruise director will provide you with all the necessary information about the ship's organisation and the details of your cruise. Dinner will be served in the evening and the first night will be spent in the Hulhumale marina.
The trip will start by exploring the long reefs of North Male Atoll. Corals are abundant here, providing an exceptional home for many fish and smaller creatures. After the first dive we will sail to Vaavu Atoll to get straight into the heart of the action. There is nothing more exciting than watching sharks, rays and jacks crevalles searching for food.
In addition to the exceptional topography and marine life, you will also visit the virgin reefs of Meemu Atoll. The excellent canal covered with steep walls and overhangs covered in soft corals. A great chance to encounter hammerheads with grey sharks, white tip sharks, eagle rays, napoleons and turtles.
Travelling south, you will discover a varied topography: thilas, gyres, canals, coral gardens and overhangs. You will also encounter reef sharks, white tips, eagle rays, tunas, and jacks crevalles shoals.
Laamu Atoll is characterised by drift dives and deep canals that attracts sharks, rays, jacks crevalles and tunas. You will also discover intact caves and drops offs. The central lagoon hosts large shoals of parrotfish, triggerfish and turtles.
The largest atoll in the Maldives, located in the deep south, offers intact reefs and lagoons. A wide variety of turtles and sharks, including blacktip, whitetip and nurse sharks have made their home here. You may even be lucky enough to see the bulldog and tiger sharks that sometimes honour us with their presence.
Gaaf dhall is also made up of very beautiful canals with intact corals and also very frequented by pelagics.
We will spend the day on this mythical atoll searching for large pelagic fish for special encounters. In addition to the beautiful underwater scenery, there are also new chances to encounter napoleons and other shoals of coral fish.
A last dive on Fuvamulah atoll and then we will go back up to Gaafu to enjoy the multitude of canals that this atoll offers. Afterwards we will anchor at night with the possibility to observe whale sharks at the back of the boat.
