Diving Itinerary
Best of Southern Atolls [10 Nights]
Atolls Visited: North Male - South Male - Vaavu – Meemu - Thaa - Laamu - Gaafu Alif - Gaafu Dhaalu - Fuvahmulah - Addu
Key Highlights
24-25 Dives
Popular Itinerary
Manta Rays
Whale Sharks
Suitable for experience Divers
Wreck Diving
Channel Dives
Dive with tigers at FuvahmulahAbout the itinerary
Begin your diving journey in Malé, the vibrant capital of the Maldives, and set course for the untamed beauty of the southern atolls—a path less traveled, designed for true explorers and thrill-seeking divers.
As you venture beyond the well-known central atolls, each mile takes you deeper into raw, untouched territory. In Vaavu and Meemu, ride the currents through thrilling channels where grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and barracudas swirl in spectacular formations. Further south, Laamu and Gaafu unleash a kaleidoscope of coral-covered walls, buzzing with marine life and shimmering in electric blue water.
The adventure intensifies in legendary Fuvahmulah—an oceanic drop-off where tiger sharks, thresher sharks, and oceanic mantas roam free. No cages. No crowds. Just you, the deep, and nature at its wildest.
Your journey concludes in the southernmost Addu Atoll, home to graceful mantas gliding over massive cleaning stations and the hauntingly beautiful British Loyalty wreck—now a living reef bursting with color.
This is not your average dive trip. It’s a full-on descent into the wilder side of the Maldives—raw, remote, and utterly unforgettable.
Atolls, Map & Itinerary
North Male’ Atoll
Diving in North Male’ Atoll – Gateway to Maldives
Just minutes from the capital, North Malé Atoll is home to some of the Maldives’ most renowned dive sites. This vibrant region teems with marine life, making it a paradise for divers of all levels. Expect unforgettable encounters with manta rays, reef sharks, tiger sharks, great hammerheads, bull sharks, spinner sharks, turtles, and a dazzling array of tropical fish. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or just starting out, North Malé offers an unparalleled underwater adventure.
Gallery in North Male’ Atoll
South Male’ Atoll
Diving in South Malé Atoll – Adventure in the Currents
South Malé Atoll is a diver’s dream, renowned for its exhilarating drift dives, vibrant coral formations, and encounters with large marine species. Located just south of the capital, it offers a slightly more adventurous experience than its northern counterpart, with stronger currents and deeper channels. Divers can expect to spot reef sharks, eagle rays, barracudas, and an abundance of pelagic life as they ride the currents through dramatic underwater topography. Ideal for more experienced divers, South Malé delivers both excitement and beauty beneath the waves.
Gallery in South Male’ Atoll
Vaavu Atoll
Diving in Vaavu Atoll – The Maldives’ Hidden Gem
Vaavu Atoll is a diver’s paradise, celebrated for its exhilarating channel dives, pristine coral reefs, and unforgettable night diving experiences. This lesser-known atoll is home to iconic sites like Fotteyo Kandu and Miyaru Kandu, where divers can encounter vibrant marine life including reef sharks, eagle rays, and large schools of fish. A must-do is the legendary Alimatha House Reef night dive, where dozens of nurse sharks, stingrays, and massive jacks gather under the glow of dive lights—an awe-inspiring, magical spectacle you won’t forget.
Gallery in Vaavu Atoll
Meemu Atoll
Diving in Meemu Atoll – Discover the Untouched Beauty
Also known as Mulaku Atoll, Meemu is a hidden gem in the Maldivian archipelago, offering serene and unspoiled underwater experiences far from the crowds. With pristine dive sites, exceptional visibility, and thriving marine ecosystems, Meemu Atoll is perfect for those seeking tranquility beneath the surface. Explore vibrant coral reefs alive with colorful reef fish, glide over manta ray cleaning stations, and encounter a variety of sharks patrolling the atoll’s healthy channels. Meemu invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with the ocean’s quiet, untouched beauty.
Gallery in Meemu Atoll
Thaa Atoll
Diving in Thaa Atoll – Dive into the Remote Reefs
Thaa Atoll, also known as Kolhumadulu, offers a truly off-the-radar diving experience in the Maldives. Situated south of Malé, this remote atoll remains one of the country’s best- kept secrets, with pristine reefs and an untouched underwater wilderness. Unlike the busier central atolls, Thaa sees minimal resort development and limited liveaboard traffic, ensuring its dive sites are refreshingly uncrowded. Here, divers can explore vibrant coral gardens, dramatic wall dives, and deep drop-offs—all in near-solitude. The atoll’s healthy reef systems also attract pelagic species, offering the chance for thrilling encounters in peaceful, undisturbed surroundings. Whether you’re an avid underwater photographer or a diver seeking raw, natural beauty, Thaa Atoll delivers a tranquil and authentic Maldivian dive adventure.
Gallery in Thaa Atoll
Laamu Atoll
Diving in Laamu – Beneath the Grace of Giants
Laamu Atoll, also known as Hahdhunmathi, offers a uniquely authentic Maldivian diving experience, combining pristine, uncrowded dive sites with unforgettable marine encounters. One of its biggest highlights is the year-round manta ray cleaning station, especially at the renowned “Hithadhoo Corner.” Here, divers have the rare opportunity to witness these graceful giants up close as they glide through crystal-clear waters, cleaning and interacting in their natural habitat. Laamu vibrant coral reefs, abundant marine life, and serene underwater environment make it a must-visit destination for those seeking both adventure and tranquility beneath the waves.
Gallery in Laamu Atoll
Gaafu Alif Atoll
Diving in Gaafu Alif – Beneath the Endless Blue
Located in the southern Maldives as part of the vast Huvadhoo Atoll, Gaafu Alif Atoll is a premier destination for serious divers seeking pristine reefs and abundant pelagic life. Renowned for its exhilarating “kandu” (channel) dives, strong currents here bring nutrient-rich waters that attract massive concentrations of marine creatures, creating thrilling drift dive experiences. Often hailed as a shark lover’s paradise, Gaafu Alif offers some of the best shark encounters in the Maldives. Dive sites like Vilingili Kandu, Kooddoo Kandu, and Nilandhoo Kandu are particularly famous for their vibrant marine biodiversity and frequent sightings of reef sharks, hammerheads, and other pelagic species. For those craving powerful currents, pristine conditions, and close encounters with the ocean’s most majestic predators, Gaafu Alif Atoll delivers an unforgettable diving.
Gallery in Gaafu Alif Atoll
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll
Diving in Gaafu Dhaalu – Beneath the Endless Blue
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, part of the expansive Huvadhoo Atoll in the southern Maldives, offers some of the most pristine and exhilarating underwater experiences in the region. As one of the largest and southernmost atolls, it boasts exceptional dive sites such as Kondey Kandu, Maarehaa Kandu, and Gemanafushi Blue Dive. The reefs here are exceptionally healthy, with vibrant hard and soft corals creating a breathtaking underwater landscape. This rich habitat supports a diverse marine ecosystem, making Gaafu Dhaalu a captivating destination for divers seeking both spectacular scenery and abundant marine life.
Gallery in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll
Fuvahmulah Atoll
Diving in Fuvahmulah – Edge of Abyss, Dive into the Wild Depths
Diving in Fuvahmulah offers a truly unique and world-renowned experience in the Maldives. Often called the “Maldives Shark Island” or the “Galápagos of the Maldives,” this solitary island stands apart from the typical atolls, rising steeply from the deep ocean floor. This dramatic underwater topography creates a magnet for an incredible variety of marine megafauna. Fuvahmulah is famous for its almost guaranteed tiger shark encounters, a signature attraction that draws divers from around the globe. Beyond tiger sharks, the waters here teem with pelagic species, promising thrilling and wild underwater adventures unlike anywhere else in the Maldives.
Gallery in Fuvahmulah Atoll
Addu Atoll
Diving in Addu Atoll – Beneath the echo of History
Situated at the southernmost tip of the Maldives, Addu Atoll offers a unique and diverse underwater experience. Unlike many other Maldivian atolls, Addu boasts remarkably healthy reefs with vibrant coral growth, providing a stunning backdrop for a variety of marine life. Divers can enjoy year-round sightings of large pelagic species, including graceful manta rays—especially at Addu Manta Point—as well as grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and even the occasional tiger shark at thrilling sites like Shark Point (Maa Kandu). Sea turtles are a familiar sight, gliding peacefully through these waters. The atoll’s channels often feature strong currents that attract the “big stuff,” while the calmer inner reef sites offer safe and enjoyable dives for beginners. A standout attraction is the British Loyalty wreck—a 140-meter-long.
Gallery in Addu Atoll
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Description
A captivating 10-night journey exploring the mesmerizing Gan - Male Maldives. Dive enthusiasts will revel in the chance to witness majestic mantas year-round. Encounter grey reef sharks at Shark Point, while Turtle Point offers regular sightings of Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles. The Kandu Huraa Region beckons with its diverse marine life, featuring mantas, nurse sharks, turtles, and rays across four distinct dive points. Immerse yourself in the underwater wonders of this stunning atoll.
Trip Preview
• Arrival – Airport Pickup and Check-in
• Dive 1: Fish Tank – North Malé Atoll (Check Dive)
• Dive 2: Hulhumale Neru – South Malé Atoll
• Dive 3: Guraidhoo Kandu – South Malé Atoll
• Dive 4: Alimatha Reef (Night Dive) – Vaavu Atoll
• Dive 5: Dhevana Kandu – Vaavu Atoll
• Dive 6: Miyaru Kandu – Vaavu Atoll
• Dive 7: Vanhuravalhi Kandu – Meemu Atoll
• Dive 8: Kurali Manta Point – Meemu Atoll
• Dive 9: Fushi Kandu – Thaa Atoll
• Dive 10: Fahala Giri – Thaa Atoll
• Dive 11: Dhiyamigili Kandu – Thaa Atoll
• Dive 12: Fushi Kandu – Laamu Atoll
• Dive 13: Mundoo Kandu – Laamu Atoll
• Dive 14: Maabaidhoo Kandu – Laamu Atoll
• Dive 15: Hithadhoo Manta Point – Laamu Atoll
• Dive 16: Vilingili Kandu– Gaafu Alif
• Dive 17: Kooddoo Kandu– Gaafu Alif
• Dive 18: Nilandhoo Kandu – Gaafu Alif
• Dive 19: Gemanafushi Out (Blue Water) – Gaafu Dhaal
• Dive 20: Maarehaa Kandu – Gaafu Dhaal
• Dive 21: Gemanafushi Coral Garden– Gaafu Dhaal
• Dive 22: Fuvahmulah South – Fuvahmulah
• Dive 23: Fuvahmulah Tiger Zoo – Fuvahmulah
• Dive 24: Fuvahmulah North – Fuvahmulah
• Dive 25: Manta Point – Addu Atoll (Last Dive)
• Departure – Airport drop and Check-out
- Best of Southern Atoll alternative route starts from Addu atoll and ends in Male’ atoll, covering the same dive points.
- Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions and ocean currents to ensure safety and optimal diving experiences.
Description
A captivating 10-night journey exploring the mesmerizing Gan - Male Maldives. Dive enthusiasts will revel in the chance to witness majestic mantas year-round. Encounter grey reef sharks at Shark Point, while Turtle Point offers regular sightings of Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles. The Kandu Huraa Region beckons with its diverse marine life, featuring mantas, nurse sharks, turtles, and rays across four distinct dive points. Immerse yourself in the underwater wonders of this stunning atoll.
Day 1
• Arrival – Airport Pickup and Check-in
• Dive 1: Fish Tank – North Malé Atoll (Check Dive)
Day 2
• Dive 2: Hulhumale Neru – South Malé Atoll
• Dive 3: Guraidhoo Kandu – South Malé Atoll
• Dive 4: Alimatha Reef (Night Dive) – Vaavu Atoll
Day 3
• Dive 5: Dhevana Kandu – Vaavu Atoll
• Dive 6: Miyaru Kandu – Vaavu Atoll
• Dive 7: Vanhuravalhi Kandu – Meemu Atoll
Day 4
• Dive 8: Kurali Manta Point – Meemu Atoll
• Dive 9: Fushi Kandu – Thaa Atoll
• Dive 10: Fahala Giri – Thaa Atoll
Day 5
• Dive 11: Dhiyamigili Kandu – Thaa Atoll
• Dive 12: Fushi Kandu – Laamu Atoll
• Dive 13: Mundoo Kandu – Laamu Atoll
Day 6
• Dive 14: Maabaidhoo Kandu – Laamu Atoll
• Dive 15: Hithadhoo Manta Point – Laamu Atoll
Day 7
• Dive 16: Vilingili Kandu– Gaafu Alif
• Dive 17: Kooddoo Kandu– Gaafu Alif
• Dive 18: Nilandhoo Kandu – Gaafu Alif
Day 8
• Dive 19: Gemanafushi Out (Blue Water) – Gaafu Dhaal
• Dive 20: Maarehaa Kandu – Gaafu Dhaal
• Dive 21: Gemanafushi Coral Garden– Gaafu Dhaal
Day 9
• Dive 22: Fuvahmulah South – Fuvahmulah
• Dive 23: Fuvahmulah Tiger Zoo – Fuvahmulah
• Dive 24: Fuvahmulah North – Fuvahmulah
Day 10
• Dive 25: Manta Point – Addu Atoll (Last Dive)
Day 11
• Departure – Airport drop and Check-out
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