South Route 14 Nights

Liveaboard in the South Maldives


South itinerary is very famous for the pelagic encounters.
Dives could be more intense with a lot of drift dives. 
The perfect route for divers who likes to push back their limits!

Itinerary

  • Day 1 Hulhumalé

    Hulhumalé Dune’s staff will pick up at Malé International Airport and bring you to Blue Shark 2 for boarding. Refreshments are offered while getting information you need from our Cruise Director. Dinner will be served in the evening and you spend your first night at Hulhumalé marina.

  • Day 2 North Malé Atoll > South Malé Atoll > Vaavu Atoll

    North Malé Atoll > South Malé Atoll > Vaavu Atoll The trip will start with discovering the dazzling long reefs or manta point (during season May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the day, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for the action packed night dive you cannot miss. There are no other experience alike as to join the nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.

  • Day 3 Vaavu Atoll > Meemu Atoll

    Vaavu Atoll > Meemu Atoll In addition to the exceptional topography and marine life, you will also visit the pristine pelagic of Meemu Atoll. The excellent channels here embrace steep walls and overhangs are coated with healthy hard and soft corals. Great chance of pursuing the hammerhead sharks along with grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and hawksbill turtles.

  • Day 4 Meemu Atoll > Thaa Atoll > Laamu Atoll

    Meemu Atoll > Thaa Atoll > Laamu Atoll Traveling deeper to the south, you will discover a variety of impressive topography counting submerged pinnacles, channels, corals gardens, overhangs, and swimthroughs. Apart from the assorted scenery, you will also encounter the white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, tunas, schools of jacks inhabit here.

  • Day 5 Laamu Atoll > North Gaafu Atoll

    Laamu Atoll > North Gaafu Atoll Cruising to the relatively unexplored area, Laamu Atoll is distinguish by drift dives and deep channels that attract sharks, rays, jacks, and tunas. More than the above, expect to dive in caves, drop-off walls, and swimthroughs. The pristine central lagoon is also home to large school of parrotfish, butterflyfish, and also turtles.

  • Day 6 North Gaafu Atoll > South Gaafu Atoll

    North Gaafu Atoll > South Gaafu Atoll The largest atoll in the Maldives located in the deep south embraces vibrant reefs and untouched lagoons. Stingrays, large numbers of turtles, and a variety of sharks including the black tip reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, nurse sharks are frequent visitors here. Occasionally you will also find the hammerhead sharks and tiger sharks preying smaller.

  • Day 7 South Gaafu Atoll > Laamu Atoll

    South Gaafu Atoll > Laamu Atoll Arriving in the southmost atoll of the route, you will discover a variety of impressive topography counting sloping reefs, drop-off walls, drifting ways, and deep channels. There are only few named dive sites here, yet the pursuit of spinner dolphins, manta rays, thresher sharks, and tiger sharks never stops.

  • Day 8 Laamu Atoll > Thaa Atoll > Faafu Atoll

    Laamu Atoll > Thaa Atoll > Faafu Atoll Back from the deep south, passing through Thaa Atoll again and make a few more dives in this splendid region. Besides the stunning underwater landscape, the untouched dive sites will also bring chances of meeting the spectacular thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks, mola mola, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and schools of reef fish.

  • Day 9 Faafu Atoll > South Ari Atoll

    Faafu Atoll > South Ari Atoll In the outer reefs of Faafu Atoll, explore the channels for the grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, schools of jacks, bigeye trevallies, and barracudas. Moving north to the South Ari Atoll, you will encounter beautiful pinnacles and bigger marine life. Dive into the aquarium of mother nature, finally meeting the stars of the trip.

  • Day 10 South Ari Atoll

    South Ari Atoll In the marine protected areas, our first star, the mighty whale sharks regularly show their appearances. Our crew will search for their presence and allow you a chance to snorkel or even scuba 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 to be found. Exploring to the most, diving in and also setting foot on the paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to the nearby local island just before dinner.

  • Day 11 South Ari Atoll > North Ari Atoll

    South Ari Atoll > North Ari Atoll Cruising never stops, moving up to the North Ari Atoll while taking the last chance to get up close easily with whale sharks. In the north, channels are wider and water is deeper, we will meet some more of the stars here. The currents attracts 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 the barbecue dinner on nearby desert island prepared by our crew.

  • Day 12 North Ari Atoll

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

  • Day 13 North Ari Atoll > Rasdhoo Atoll

    North Ari Atoll > Rasdhoo Atoll The combination of pelagic life and remarkable underwater landscape of North Ari Atoll is irresistable. Yet you may also find the beautiful reefs in Rasdhoo Atoll along with the magnificent manta rays and hammerhead sharks encounter fascinating. Drifting with schools of fish while still keep an eye on the pelagic stars.

  • Day 14 Rasdhoo Atoll > North Malé Atoll

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

  • Day 15 Hulhumalé

    Hulhumalé The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange 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 snorkeling excursions and booking for accommodations.
    Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

The peculiarity of Dune Maldives is to build the course according to your expectations. The sites and atolls visited are therefore defined according to your preferences, while also taking into account the weather conditions and tides.

Dates & prices

Departures for French-speaking groups:

No departure for now

Departures for English-speaking groups:

No departure for now

Departures for Chinese-speaking groups:

No departure for now

Trip code: 170

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 anywhere 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 the meal (Coke and Sprite) (on Theia boat only) 
  • Nitrox - package and fillings per unit. Nitrox is a service offered by Dune and can’t be subject of a refund in the eventuality the compressor is malfunctioning (on Theia boat only) 
  • 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.

14-night cruises (15 days on board) 

  • 15 days of cruise with full board, including unlimited tea, coffee and water.
  • 14 nights on board in a shared twin cabin - single cabins cost extra. 
  • Package includes 31 dives spread from Sunday to Friday of the second week, along with 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, could 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 in depth, 60 minutes and within the safety curve (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 prerogatives 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 mooved to form a large 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 correspondent, holding up a "DUNE" sign. This local correspondent will generally be waiting 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 Male 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". 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. Each guest will be asked to pay a participation price of $45. This price 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”. If the boat is available upon departure on Saturday afternoon, they can be transferred later (until 14.00pm) from the boat to the airport. Each guest will be asked to pay a participation price of $45. This price 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". Two options are available:
  1. Snorkeling Trip with Dune Maldives’ team, including the lunch and the transfer to the airport at the end of the day (price : 60 USD)
  2. 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.

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 liveaboard ending could meet with guests from the liveaboard on departure.

Tips

Tips for the crew, recommended at $12 per person per day spent on board, could be given at the end of the stay before leaving.

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 locally. 

Helpful equipment

Highly recommended :
  • A lamp or flashlight.
  • A second emergency lamp.
  • A reef hook.
  • A weighted belt or 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 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 26°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.
An individual water bottle with your name on it is provided on board.


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Sean

My local agent
Sean

  • Director of Dune Maldives
  • 20 years of Experience in Maldives
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Destination
Southern Cruises
Activity
Liveaboard Manta Ray
Duration
15 days
Group
10 to 18 persons
Code
170
Price
From €3,635
Level
5/5
Comfort
5/5
Language(s)
French / English / Chinese

Strengths

Famous for sharks encounters!

Guide's advice

Perfect liveaboard for those who look for great thrills with pelagic!

Required level

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

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