Big South 7 Nights

Liveaboard in the Deep South of the Maldives


With around 1,200 islands, the Maldives offer exceptional dives with a wide range of underwater flora and fauna. The North Route will take you to barely explored reefs, pelagic cleaning stations, colorful coral and anemone gardens in an exceptionally pristine ocean.Experience the memorable interactions with a broad variety of marine life from manta rays, guitar sharks, leopard sharks, down to schools of brilliant small fish in this dream circuit.The itinerary description of the liveaboard safari is only informative as these itineraries 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 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!

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: 162

Practical info

Staff

Each dive is guided. Groups can be from 6 to 8 divers per guide.LevelLevel 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". 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). Subject to availability. 
  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. 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, recommended at $12 per person per day on board, to be distributed cash at the end of the stay.

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 hooks.
  • 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.
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Destination
Northern Cruises
Activity
Exclusive photo workshop From August to November
Duration
7 days
Group
9 to 20 people
Code
162
Price
From €2,585
Level
5/5
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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