MV Emperor Atoll Liveaboard

ROUTE DETAILS

The Best of the Maldives route aboard the MV Emperor Serenity takes you to the best and most famous dive sites of the Maldives. It does not have a fixed itinerary, as the crew plans it according to the conditions and time of the year to ensure you enjoy a dive holiday that gives you all you could wish for: channels, drifts and pinnacles where you have every chance of meeting mantas, whale sharks and huge array of mesmerising marine life. The itinerary will give you a great mix of big fish like these, smaller reef fish and abundant macro life.

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.

ROUTE DETAILS

The “Manta Madness” route runs from July to November, when the chances of seeing manta rays swimming and looping at the dive sites are higher due to the currents that sweep plankton they feed on to the shallow lagoons. Close encounters with whale sharks, hammerheads and reef sharks are also usual and a night dive is a must do on this trip! This itinerary departs from Male and typically reaches the northern atolls of Baa (Hanifaru Bay), returning again to the Maldivian capital, but the cruise director may decide differently based on the weather and current conditions to ensure you get the most possible interactions with these big pelagics.

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.

The “Pelagic Magic” route runs from April to July, when the chances of spotting pelagics are at their peak, and gets you on a journey to the North & South Ari Atolls where you will be face to face with the famous whale sharks and manta rays that inhabit this area. As the trip progresses from Male through North Ari and then onto South Ari, a series of unforgettable dives can be expected at Manta Point’s cleaning station, as well as at Hafsa Thila and Maya Thila, where sharks are everywhere and pelagics of all shapes and sizes await! The night dive at Maya Thila is definitely one not to be missed, as amongst other sightings divers will spot nurse sharks, as well as huge rays, jacks and marble morays hunting dinner out!

One of the best things about this itinerary is that it is great for everyone! No matter what your experience level is, this is one of the few itineraries in the Maldives that nearly anyone can enjoy, although there can be some drift diving, so some experience of diving in currents in advisable. And as so many of the best whale shark encounters happen close to the surface, even those onboard who are only snorkeling can feel the thrill of seeing these graceful creatures in their natural environment. Exact dive sites will vary depending on the divers’ experience level, local conditions and where the best sightings have been lately.

Maldives have 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.

The “Sharktastic” route takes place between January and April – a period during which the currents running from Sumatra and Indonesia to the Maldives bring with them clean waters that allow for fantastic visibility up to 40m, as well as a huge variety of pelagics! That is the reason why most dives during this period take place on the channels on the eastern coast of the Maldives. These channels, or “kandus”, as they are locally called, attract a vast array of big-sized marine species, such as grey reef sharks, dog tooth tuna and eagle rays, amongst other surprises. The soft corals from this area are also impressive, with the multicoloured ones covering the gorgeous overhangs from Vaavu and Meemu forming an impressive underwater landscape!

After diving the channels of eastern Maldives, you will cross to South Ari Atoll. It is on this atoll that you will be looking for whale sharks and mantas at Maamagili and Rangali Madivaru, while dive sites such as Kudarah Thila and Kudimaa Wreck are great for macro, such as leaf and frog fish.

Divers joining this route do not need to have a minimum number of dives logged, but should be comfortable with drift dives, as currents can be strong.

Maldives have 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.