Conte Max Liveaboard

The Central Atolls route covers what is considered by many to be “The Best of the Maldives” as it offers some of the most amazing diving experiences in the archipelago. North Male Atoll features some of the Maldives most classic and popular dive sites, while Ari Atoll is famous for presenting some of the country’s most consistent big fish sightings, including manta rays and whale sharks. Furthermore, the smaller Rasdhoo Atoll is well known for some of the finest encounters with hammerheads. No matter what your preferences are, drift diving in the current swept channels will reward you with loads of opportunities to encounter large pelagics and enjoy spectacular underwater landscapes displaying colourful coral reefs!

Maldives has a very special underwater landscape. The country has 26 gorgeous atolls - ring-shaped coral reefs that end up encircling relatively shallow lagoons. These are usually connected to the open ocean through different points through which the water enters and exits, originating channels (called “kandu” locally) with currents rich in nutrients that feed a vast range of fish, corals, sponges, gorgonians and other marine species. Based on the reefs’ geographical formation, diving activity in the Maldives can be carried out in either these channels, in the “thilas” or “giris” (underwater rock pinnacles that develop from 30-40 metres to nearly up the surface) or in the “faru” (the edge of the atolls). Learn more about the coral reef system of the Maldives.

If you would like to learn more, the page Diving in the Maldives (Central region) will give you a good understanding about diving in this region.

This itinerary focuses on the enjoyable and adrenaline-fueled dives in the passes that you will be experiencing while cruising from Male towards the southernmost part of the Maldivian archipelago. Along the way you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of the Maldivian landscape and will explore six atolls: South Male, Felidhoo, Vattaru, Mulaku, Thaa and Laamu. From the Guraidhoo area you will head down towards Alimathà, Rakeedhoo, Vattaru and Mulaku kandu, then on to the less-known passes within Thaa atoll. Cruising further south through Vadinolhu kandu you will reach Laamu, from where the Duke of York will then head towards its final destinations: the picturesque Fushi and Maabaidhoo kandu. On the last day you will be visiting Gan Island and will then take an internal flight from Kadhdhoo airport (KDO) back to Male. Keep in mind that this itinerary can be done in reverse order depending on the schedule.

Maldives has a very special underwater landscape. The country has 26 gorgeous atolls - ring-shaped coral reefs that end up encircling relatively shallow lagoons. These are usually connected to the open ocean through different points through which the water enters and exits, originating channels (called “kandu” locally) with currents rich in nutrients that feed a vast range of fish, corals, sponges, gorgonians and other marine species. Based on the reefs’ geographical formation, diving activity in the Maldives can be carried out in either these channels, in the “thilas” or “giris” (underwater rock pinnacles that develop from 30-40 metres to nearly up the surface) or in the “faru” (the edge of the atolls). Learn more about the coral reef system of the Maldives.

If you would like to learn more, the page Diving in Maldives (South region) will give you a good understanding about diving in this region.

After arriving at Kooddoo (Huvadhoo) airport with an internal flight from Male, get ready for an unforgettable week at Suvadiva – the largest atoll in the Maldives and the second largest in the world in terms of surface area! While crossing it, you will be exploring its several passes, reefs and “thilas” featuring unforgettable settings of intact coral, will get close encounters with the pelagics that abound in this area and will enjoy huge schools of smaller fish. Barracudas and several different shark species (white fin, grey, leopard and tiger) will be regular sights. And even if you are focused on the diving, snorkeling is definitely an activity that should not be missed on this trip, as it also offers an exciting experience to be in contact with nature. A barbecue on the beach is on the schedule and will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. On departure day you will be taking an internal flight from Kooddoo to Male.

The Maldives has a very special underwater landscape. The country has 26 gorgeous atolls - ring-shaped coral reefs that end up encircling relatively shallow lagoons. These are usually connected to the open ocean through different points through which the water enters and exits, originating channels (called “kandu” locally) with currents rich in nutrients that feed a vast range of fish, corals, sponges, gorgonians and other marine species. Based on the reefs’ geographical formation, diving activity in the Maldives can be carried out in either these channels, in the “thilas” or “giris” (underwater rock pinnacles that develop from 30-40 metres to nearly up the surface) or in the “faru” (the edge of the atolls). Learn more about the coral reef system of the Maldives.

If you would like to learn more, the page Diving in Maldives (South region) will give you a good understanding about diving in this region.

Join this itinerary and you will know how the diving pioneers felt years ago. Most of this area is still unchartered and very few dive sites are actually named – welcome to the extreme south! Here, resorts are rare and very few liveabords are found, which means you are likely to be the only divers for miles around. The marine life is abundant and the healthy corals are virtually untouched. You will be discovering Laamu atoll and its deep channels, where strong currents attract sharks, jacks, rays and tuna to hunt for the smaller and abundant reef fish. Further south, a thrilling exploration of Huvadhoo atoll (the largest in the Maldives), will give you the opportunity to discover several pristine reefs and lagoons visited by stingrays, loads of turtles and a variety of sharks, including black and white tip reef sharks, nurse sharks and occasionally hammerheads and even tiger sharks. This itinerary requires an internal flight on the first day from Male International airport and on the last day back to Male. You will have to book these internal flights depending on the route's departure and arrival port. The two domestic airports concerned are Kadhdhoo (KDO) in Laamu Atoll and Kooddoo (GKK) in Huvadhoo Atoll. You can contact us to help you organising it.

Maldives has a very special underwater landscape. The country has 26 gorgeous atolls - ring-shaped coral reefs that end up encircling relatively shallow lagoons. These are usually connected to the open ocean through different points through which the water enters and exits, originating channels (called “kandu” locally) with currents rich in nutrients that feed a vast range of fish, corals, sponges, gorgonians and other marine species. Based on the reefs’ geographical formation, diving activity in the Maldives can be carried out in either these channels, in the “thilas” or “giris” (underwater rock pinnacles that develop from 30-40 metres to nearly up the surface) or in the “faru” (the edge of the atolls). Learn more about the coral reef system of the Maldives.

If you would like to learn more, the page Diving in Maldives (South region) will give you a good understanding about diving in this region.