10-night Project shark: Southern Atolls
The aim of ‘Project Shark’ is to highlight the global issues facing sharks, with a Maldivian focus, as well as enjoying some of the most exciting dive sites the southern atolls have to offer. Project Shark in the Southern Maldives also includes a special focus on manta rays as they are a highlight of this destination and closely related to sharks.
This exciting trip cruises between Malé and the far south of the Maldives – taking in the finest dive areas along the way. The far south offers the opportunity to swim with hundreds of schooling sharks, vast schools of fish and squadrons of eagle rays – on top of this, the incredible hard coral reefs packed with colour and critters. And don’t worry – we’ve found manta and whaleshark points! The far south offers exciting diving for experienced divers with adventure in mind. This is a stunning trip so expect some amazing scenery and varied diving.
The week will involve close encounters with sharks, manta rays and whale sharks (although these sightings cannot be guaranteed!) with the possibility to observe them in their natural habitat and donate vital information to local Maldivian marine research organisations.
You will be joined on board for the duration of the safari by our experienced blue o two Project Shark trip host, Dr Elke Bojanowski. Project Shark is delivered by our resident marine biologist Dr Elke Bojanowski, who will conduct seminars giving divers the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the biology and behaviour of sharks. There will also be a chance to learn about globally endangered marine species and what as divers we can do to aid their protection.
Founder of the ‘Red Sea Sharks Trust’, experienced dive guide and marine biologist, Elke Bojanowski Ph.D, began the Longimanus Project in October 2004 and since this date she has been actively collecting underwater photographs and video-clips of Oceanic Whitetip Sharks for catalogue, review and analysis. Since 2012 the project has expanded to become Red Sea Sharks (www.redseasharks.org) and increased its scope to include Grey Reef and Silky Shark catalogues and monitoring for many shark species.
Project Shark is delivered by our resident marine biologist Dr Elke Bojanowski, who will conduct seminars giving divers the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the biology and behaviour of sharks. There will also be a chance to learn about globally endangered marine species and what as divers we can do to aid their protection.
Our planned dive guide for this trip is Dr Elke Bojanowski. However, if for any reason Elke is unavailable to host this trip due to circumstances outside of our control, we will provide you with an alternative, suitably qualified and experienced dive guide. For the avoidance of doubt, any change in dive guide does not give you the right to amend, change or cancel your holiday, and any changes made will be subject to our normal terms and conditions.
7 or 10-night Project Shark: Far South
This itinerary gives you 10 days onboard. You will adventure from Huvadhoo Atoll, across the Equator to the isolated atoll of Fuvahmulah (also known as Foammulah) and to the southern-most atoll of Addu. A domestic flight will take you to the very far south of the Maldives – an area described as “the new Maldives”. The diving is without doubt incredible and offers the opportunity to dive with schooling sharks, vast schools of fish and squadrons of eagle rays – on top of this, the incredible hard coral reefs are packed with colour and critters. And don’t worry – we’ve found manta points too! These trips offer exciting diving for experienced divers with adventure in mind.
7 night Manta Trust Expedition: Far South
This itinerary gives you 10 days on board. You will adventure from Huvadhoo Atoll, across the Equator to the isolated atoll of Fuvahmulah (also known as Foammulah) and to the southern-most atoll of Addu. A domestic flight will take you to the very far south of the Maldives – an area described as “the new Maldives”. The diving is without doubt incredible and offers the opportunity to dive with schooling sharks, vast schools of fish and squadrons of eagle rays – on top of this, the incredible hard coral reefs are packed with colour and critters. And don’t worry – we’ve found manta points too! These trips offer exciting diving for experienced divers with adventure in mind.
7 night Far South
This itinerary gives you 10 days on board. You will adventure from Huvadhoo Atoll, across the Equator to the isolated atoll of Fuvahmulah (also known as Foammulah) and to the southern-most atoll of Addu. A domestic flight will take you to the very far south of the Maldives – an area described as “the new Maldives”. The diving is without doubt incredible and offers the opportunity to dive with schooling sharks, vast schools of fish and squadrons of eagle rays – on top of this, the incredible hard coral reefs are packed with colour and critters. And don’t worry – we’ve found manta points too! These trips offer exciting diving for experienced divers with adventure in mind.
7 night Central Atolls
This 7 day Maldives dive safari takes you to some of the highlights of the Central Atolls, including the North and South Male Atolls, Rasdhoo Atoll and more. A chance to discover some of the Maldives most famous dive sites, renoened for sightings of sharks, eagle rays, turtles and diverse fish.
10 night Best of Central Atolls
This itinerary gives you 10 days on board and will include a combination of either the Central and Northern Atolls or the Central and Southern Atolls. You can expect to visit some of the following: North and South Male Atolls, Felidhoo Atoll, Meemu Atoll, Ari Atoll, Rasdhoo Atoll, North and South Nilandhoo Atolls, Baa Atoll and Lhaviyani Atoll.
The diving day has a typical schedule as follows:-
06:30 – Tea, coffee and biscuits
07:00 – Dive 1 followed by full breakfast
11:00 – Dive 2 followed by lunch
15:00 – Dive 3 followed by homemade cakes and snacks
19:30 – Dinner
Please note: the itineraries above are an example of the planned routes and dive sites cannot be guaranteed. All dive sites are subject to weather conditions and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides.
The ocean deck is a unique feature allowing guests to relax in the open air while close to the water. On many evenings the flood lights will illuminate the water just off the ocean deck to attract plankton which brings the manta rays and whale sharks. There have been many close sightings of feeding mantas and whale sharks. Have your camera ready.
