7N DIVE & SNORKEL Central Atolls

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 Day 1 : Hulhumale

    Dune 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 Day 2 : South Male to Vaavu Atoll

    The trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Malé Atoll and South 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 Day 3 : Vaavu Atoll to 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 Day 4 : 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 if possible.

  • Day 5 Day 5 : South Ari Atoll to 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 if possible and indulge yourself in a barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island, or enjoy with a Maldivian night on board.

  • Day 6 Day 6 : 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 Day 7 : North Ari Atoll to North Male 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 Day 8 : Hulhumalé

    The trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day and booking for accommodations.
    Time to come back home with fantastic 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: 159

Included

  • Transfers from the airport to the boat and to and from the marina.
  • Double/twin shared cabin accommodation.
  • 2 to 4 on-board guides (dive master and instructors)12-liter aluminum cylinders + DIN/Int, and diving weights.
  • 8 to 10 professional and experienced crew members on-board
  • Meals and all soft drinks on board (excluding beer, spirits, wine, espresso coffee)
  • 15 dives minimum, extra ones according to weather conditions and flights schedule
  • Bath towels are changed at least once during the trip, depending on the duration of the cruise.
  • The selected sea route will take into consideration the passengers' wishes.
  • Dune reserves the right to limit dives frequency due to weather conditions, dive level and physical conditions of passengers, and no refund would be applied.Nitrox - package and fillings.
  • Nitrox is a service offered by Dune and no refund will be applied in case of malfunctioning of the compressor
  • Wifi : subject to network availibility - some areas might not be covered
  • Maldivian Government Tourist Tax

*Surcharges: Dune Theia Liveaboard reserves the right to apply an appropriate surcharge to its prices should economic changes (such as exchange rates, fuel prices, etc) make a material difference to its pricing structure. - A minimum of 14 days’ notice will be given before such a surcharge becomes effective. - No surcharge will be applied within 28 days of departure. - If the surcharge results in an increase of 10% or more to the price of the liveaboard, dive package/dive course, then cancellation with a full refund will be allowed. Notification of the intention to cancel must be made in writing within 14 days of the notification or the surcharge.

Not included

  • International flights to and from Malé.
  • The supplement for a superior or sea view cabin.
  • The supplement for a single cabin.
  • Drinks such as beer, wine, espresso
  • Transfers by speed boat, airplane or seaplane depending on special routes or unscheduled arrivals and departures.
  • Diving courses, rental equipment
  • Service charge $120 for the crew, to be given at the end of the stay before leaving by cash.
  • Fuel surcharge

Practical info

Food

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

Accommodation

Accommodation is based on double shared cabin . Beds in some cabins can be moved to form a double bed or 2 single beds. A supplement is charged for single use of a cabin. Cabins categories (standard, superior or seaview) are subject to different tarification if pre-booked.

Transportation

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

For cruises arriving and departing from Male, passengers are transferred to the boat via the diving Dhoni leaving from the marina of Male International Airport (duration: approximately 20 minutes).

The first transfer including in the service is at 3pm from Male airport. The return transfer from the last day will be organized right after the breakfast.

Contact us for early check-in/late departures
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Destination
Central Cruises
Activity
Liveaboard
Duration
8 days
Group
9 to 18 people
Code
159
Price
From €2,285
Level
3/5
Comfort
5/5
Language(s)
French / English / Chinese

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