Central Route 7 Nights

Liveaboard in the center of the Maldives

It is heaven on earth: experience the emerald, green lagoons and gorgeous underwater landscapes of this central circuit.


By taking the Central route, you will discover a variety of coral gardens, drop-offs, drift dives and even a few wrecks. The ocean lovers may have the chance to lend an eye on macro creatures or on the bigger ones: manta rays and whale sharks. A dream liveaboard safari week in the heart of the Maldives you can never get bored of … you will just want to live it over and over again. The itinerary description of the liveaboard safari is only informative as this shall be adapted to weather conditions, currents and the divers' wishes and levels.   


Itinerary

  • Day 1 Hulhumalé

    Hulhumalé Dune’s staff will pick you up at Malé International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumalé marina.

  • Day 2 North Malé Atoll > Vaavu Atoll

    North Malé Atoll > Vaavu Atoll The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the dive, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. There’s nothing as exciting as diving with nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.

  • Day 3 Vaavu Atoll > South Ari Atoll

    Vaavu Atoll > South Ari Atoll Small caves, large overhangs, drop-off walls, and sloping reefs covered with corals can be found in Vaavu Atoll. Titan triggerfish are common. Larger marine life such as grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, tunas, and barracudas are also found here. Moving west to the South Ari Atoll, you will dive on beautiful pinnacles and be able to spot bigger marine life. Dive into this aquarium offered by mother nature and get a chance to meet the the stars of the trip.

  • Day 4 South Ari Atoll

    South Ari Atoll In the marine protected area, our first stars, the mighty whale sharks, regularly show up. Our crew will search for their presence and give you a chance to snorkel or even scuba dive with them. Lucky or not, there are also many thilas and some wrecks in South Ari Atoll. Grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, scorpionfish are definitely part of the fauna here. Exploring Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to a nearby local island just before dinner.

  • Day 5 South Ari Atoll > North Ari Atoll

    South Ari Atoll > North Ari Atoll Cruising never stops, moving up to North Ari Atoll while taking a last chance to get a close look at whale sharks. In the north, channels are wider and the ocean is deeper. We will meet some more stars here. The currents attract many grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and even other large pelagic fish. When night falls, you will be invited to go ashore again and indulge yourself in a barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.

  • Day 6 North Ari Atoll

    North Ari Atoll Multiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas and wreck with rich marine life are the highlights of this area of Ari Atoll. You will also find here eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers. The day will end with a manta night dive. Admire the enormous manta rays feeding right in front your torch.

  • Day 7 North Ari Atoll > North Malé Atoll

    North Ari Atoll > North Malé Atoll After one last dive in North Ari Atoll the cruise will head back to North Malé Atoll. Here you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific pelagic and reef life. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumalé marina to spend your last night on board.

  • Day 8 Hulhumalé

    Hulhumalé The trip is coming to an end. Our crew will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day if you have a late flight. Various options are available ranging from snorkelling excursions and booking for accommodations.
    It's time to go back home with fantastic new memories!

The peculiarity of Dune Maldives is to build the course according to your expectations. The itinerary and dive sites are therefore defined according to your preferences, while also considering the weather conditions and tides. 

Dates & prices

Departures for French-speaking groups:

From To Price / pers. Boat Places Options Booking
€1,825 Theia 0 / 20 20 Fully booked
€1,975 Theia 19 / 20 Book now!
€1,975 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 18 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 15 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 16 / 20 2 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 12 / 20 8 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 4 / 20 13 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 16 / 20 4 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 3 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 18 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 18 / 20 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,835 NORAYA 28 / 28 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 0 / 20 Fully booked
€2,565 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,565 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!

Departures for English-speaking groups:

From To Price / pers. Boat Places Options Booking
€2,225 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 4 / 20 4 Book now!
€2,225 Theia 20 / 20 Book now!
€2,540 NORAYA 2 / 8 2 Book now!
€2,540 NORAYA 0 / 2 Fully booked
€2,540 NORAYA 0 / 12 Fully booked
€2,835 NORAYA 28 / 28 Book now!
€2,835 NORAYA 26 / 28 Book now!
€2,835 NORAYA 28 / 28 Book now!

Departures for Chinese-speaking groups:

No departure for now

Trip code: 28

Included

Cruise services begin on Saturday at the evening meal at 7pm. The marina departure takes place on Sunday morning. Boats return to the marina the following Friday during the early afternoon. Disembarking from the boat can be done between Friday evening and Saturday morning at 8am. 

  • Transfers from the airport to the boat and to and from the marina. 
  • Double shared cabin accommodation. 
  • 2 to 4 on-board guides (a dive master and instructors) accredited by government authorities. 
  • 12 liter aluminum cylinders + DIN/Int, and diving weights. 
  • 8 to 10 professional and experienced crew members on-board 
  • Three meals a day. 
  • Sheets and blanket (depending on the boat). 
  • Bath towels are changed at least once during the trip, depending on the duration of the cruise. 
  • One evening dedicated to celebrating birthdays, newlyweds or dive anniversaries. 
  • The selected sea route will take into consideration the passengers' wishes. 
  • A map to note down the route taken. 
  • Soft drinks during meals (Coke and Sprite) (on Theia boat only) 
  • Nitrox - package and fillings per unit. Nitrox is a service offered by Dune and no refund will be applied in case of malfunctioning of the compressor
  • Maldivian Government Tourist Tax. 
  • Green Tax (on Theia boat only)

Please note: 
  • The dive package will be adjusted according to the number of days in case of a staggered departure and arrival.
  • If the diver does not take part in all the proposed dives for whatever reason - weather, air, or personal reasons, no refund will be made by DUNE France or DUNE Maldives.
  • According to logistical possibilities or passenger wishes, it may be possible to make more dives than those proposed in the planned package. Optional additional dives cost extra.

7-night cruises (8 days on board)
  • 8 days of cruise with full board, including unlimited tea, coffee and water. 
  • 7 nights on board in a shared twin cabin - single cabins cost extra. 
  • Package includes 15 dives spread from Sunday to Friday, including a night dive.


Not included

  • International flights to and from Malé. 
  • The supplement for a superior or sea view cabin. 
  • The supplement for a single cabin. 
  • Cancellation and repatriation insurance. 
  • Soft drinks such as Coke, Sprite, etc. outside meals. 
  • Drinks such as beer, wine, etc., see the bar prices in the annex. 
  • Transfers by speed boat, airplane or seaplane depending on special routes or unscheduled arrivals and departures. (If a passenger wants to take a particular international flight, any extra cost related to the latter will be at the customer's expense). Training, optional dives, rentals and on-board services 
  • Tips for the crew, recommended at $12 per person per day spent on board, to be given at the end of the stay before leaving.

Notes

Recommendations and diving legislation in the Maldives

In keeping with the idea of "safe leisure", Maldives regulation limits the dive profile to 30 meters depth, 60 minutes and within no decompression limits (diving without decompression stops).

Required documents :
A medical certificate dated less than 1 year authorizing the practice of scuba diving.
A dive log.
A diving qualification card (including Nitrox if certified).
An insurance certificate for the current year.


Terms and conditions

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation fees apply to transfers, diving services and hotel reservations.
All cancellations must be sent in writing by mail, fax or email. The reception date of your cancellation will determine the amount of charges.
The following cancellations will be invoiced.

Cancellation policy for individual registrations
  • Cancellations from 60 to 31 days before the date of the boat's departure: 30% of the total cost of the cruise. 
  • Cancellations from 30 to 15 days before the date of the boat's departure: 50% of the total cost of the cruise. 
  • Cancellations 14 days before the date of the boat's departure: 100% of the total cost of the cruise.

Cancellation policy for group registrations (from 10 participants)  and for charters 
  • Cancellations from 90 to 61 days before the date of the boat's departure: 30% of the total cost of the cruise. 
  • Cancellations from 60 to 31 days before the date of the boat's departure: 50% of the total cost of the cruise. 
  • Cancellations 30 days before the date of the boat's departure: 100% of the total cost of the cruise.

The minimum number of participants required to ensure the departure of a cruise depends on the total capacity of the vessel:
  • Boats from 16 to 20 seats: Minimum of 12 participants
  • Boats from 20 to 22 seats: Minimum of 14 participants
  • Boat with 22 places and more: Minimum of 16 participants

At over 30 days from departure, Dune reserves the right to cancel a cruise without compensation if the number of participants is insufficient. 
Reservations can still be made up to 4 days before departure. ·
At the latest, clients must arrive at the airport the afternoon before their cruise departs. The cruise departure cannot be deferred due to a flight delay, except in the case of a charter. In this case, the return date of the cruise will remain as originally planned. The dive package will be adjusted to reflect the number of days on board. Customers should be covered thereafter by their agency or by the airline.

Payment - Reimbursement - Litigation

  • A minimum 30% deposit must be paid by the customer in order to confirm his reservation. 
  • The balance is due 30 days prior to departure for an individual booking and 60 days before departure for groups and charters. 
  • On-board payments must be made in cash or check (except tips). · Failure to follow a route does not result in compensation or reimbursement of taxes.
  •  Failure to follow the program does not result in compensation (e.g.: not completing 15 dives due to poor weather or insufficient diving level...)
  • Changes made to the boat or selected marinas do not give rise to compensation.
  • A possible Nitrox malfunction does not give rise to compensation.
  • Customers are individually responsible for all their personal effects. Damage to personal belongings due to negligence or omission shall not give rise to any claim against Dune. 
  • No refunds will be provided if a customer fails to make all the proposed dives, either on his own accord or due to a temporary restriction from the dive instructor in charge of the boat.
  •  Flight delays: DUNE France and DUNE Maldives cannot be responsible for flight delays. DUNE does not provide meals or extra nights caused by delays or schedule advances made by charters or scheduled airlines.

Cruise Cancellations and Force Majeure

Dune reserves the right to cancel a stay or cruise for reasons of force majeure such as natural disasters, epidemics, war, strikes, and riots, etc ...

Dune declines all responsibility during these events such as injuries, death or destruction of personal property due to acts of war, insurrection, military action, revolution or exceptional meteorological or seismic events that are beyond its control. Any unforeseeable insurmountable event beyond Dune's control is considered a case of force majeure. If a force majeure event occurs, the customer will be notified as soon as possible. If the trip or stay is canceled or shortened due to natural disasters, revolutions, wars, or governmental decisions, the customer cannot claim any compensation. This also goes for anything that may limit benefiting from certain services.

The closing of roads, airports, railway stations, marinas or the suspension or removal of a train, plane, or boat... due to carrier or administrative decision... are not covered by Dune and do not give rise to compensation.

Practical info

Staff

Each dive is guided. Groups can be from 6 to 8 divers per guide.

Level

Level 2 or Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD) with a minimum of 50 dives is required. An Open Water Diver (OWD) level with over 80 dives is acceptable provided an AOWD is obtained at the beginning of the stay to remain compliant with local regulations required for safari trips.
The diver without an adequate level for his own safety and that of the group (evaluated by one of the guides) may be excluded from some technically difficult dives (without compensation) or a private guide will be imposed at a cost of $160 per dive day.
All routes and the number of dives outside of the package will depend on passenger wishes, weather, local regulations and are subject to the discretion of the primary instructor on board.

Food

On board, both local cuisine and international menus will be served.

Accommodation

Accommodation is based on double shared cabin .
Beds in superior cabins can be moved to form a double bed or 2 single beds. 
A supplement is charged for a single cabin.

Transportation

Airport pick up

Passengers are greeted at the airport by a DUNE Maldives representative, holding a "DUNE" sign. The meeting point will generally be just outside the arrival hall after the baggage claim and customs clearance area.

Transfers

For cruises arriving and departing from Malé, passengers are transferred to the DUNE Maldives chartered boats via the diving Dhoni leaving from the marina of Malé International Airport (duration: approximately 20 minutes). The first transfer including in the service is at 15h00 from Malé airport. The return transfer from the last day will be organized right after the breakfast.

Thus: 
  • Those arriving before 15h00 on Saturday morning should book an "Early Check-In" at $45 per person. If the boat is available upon arrival on Saturday morning, they can be transferred earlier (until 11.00 am) from the airport to the boat. The rate covers the costs of the half-day on board, lunch and private transfer. 
  • On the way back and depending on return flight schedules, guests can book a “Late Checkout” at $45 per person. If the boat is available upon departure on Saturday afternoon, guests can be transferred later (until 14.00pm) from the boat to the airport. The rate covers the costs of the half-day on board, lunch and private transfer. 
  • Depending on return flight schedules, guests should also reserve a "Day-Use". Guest house : access to a room and hotel services. Lunch not included and transfer to the airport included. Charge will be paid directly on place. Price starting from 60 USD. Subject to availability. 

IMPORTANT "Early check-in" and "late check-out" are subject to boat availability. During these days, the boat is in transition between two liveaboards. Cabins are not available due to cleaning. Guests will be free to use common areas. Therefore guests from the ending liveaboard could meet guests from the departing liveaboard.

Tips

Tips for the crew, 120$ per person per week (service charge)

Vital equipment

Compulsory equipment (per diver)
  • A dive computer. 
  • A surface marker buoy, SMB.
  • An emergency sound or visual signaling system.

You can also rent you equipment onsite (prior booking). 

Helpful equipment

Highly recommended :
  • A torch or flashlight.
  • A second emergency torch.
  • A reef hook.
  • A weight belt or weight pockets.

Passport

Information and documents required for customer registration :
  • A passport with a minimum of six months validity after the return date is mandatory and must be shown when passing through customs. 
  • The full name of each passenger. 
  • The passport number. 
  • The diver's level and his number of dives. 
  • Details of flight arrivals and departures. 
  • A passport photocopy for booking domestic flights. 
  • Any special instructions involving reserving cabins, courses, Nitrox, or the rental of diving equipment...

NON-DIVER ACCOMPANYING PERSONS
Activities for non-divers accompanying the diving and snorkeling cruises such as initial dives, courses, snorkeling (PMT) or island visits and other activities are subject to the availability of the guides, logistical constraints and the diving activities.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR PASSENGERS AND NON-DIVERS
Participants in swimming, snorkeling or first dives should make sure they are in good physical condition and able to participate in such water activities and swimming. A swimming test is mandatory at the beginning of the stay. If necessary, the guides may require specific snorkeling training and/or the wearing of a snorkel vest or a shorty to ensure participant safety (minimum age of 8 yrs old is recommended). Guided snorkeling activities not included in the program cost an extra $20 per 45- minute session. A private guide may be imposed by decision of the monitors on board on any participant whose technical level is not sufficient for his own safety. For the same reasons, the monitors on board can prohibit certain activities they deem too difficult (without compensation).

Health information & recommendations

A first-aid medical kit is available on the boats. However, it is strongly recommended that passengers bring along their own first-aid kits, with reef safe sunscreen, seasickness pills, mosquito repellent, antihistamine cream and other medication according to your doctor's prescription and those for the destination.

Weather

Water temperature is around 28°C all year round.

Electricity

220V with international adaptors in living room and cabins.  

Sustainable tourism

Dune Maldives is a member of the Longitude 181 Association.
Beach Clean Ups are organized on desert islands.
A personalized water flask to be used during the trip is provided on board.

Book this trip
Destination
Central Cruises
Activity
All year round Essentials Exclusive photo workshop Liveaboard Manta Rays Whale shark
Duration
8 days
Group
9 to 20 people
Code
28
Price
From €2,565
Level
3/5
Comfort
5/5
Language(s)
French / English / Chinese

Strengths

World renowned itinerary!

Guide's advice

Very diversified and famous for Manta rays and whale sharks.

Required level

50 dives recommended. 
Advanced Open Water Diver - Level 2  (AOWD courses available on board)

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