Blue Voyager

This itinerary covers the 3 most Southern Atolls of the Maldives Archipelago offering the opportunity to dive some of the best sites they have to offer.

From Huvadhoo Atoll, across the equator to the isolated atoll of Fuvahmulah and all the way to the southernmost atoll, Addu. We wish to show you the very best diving possible. However, the number of factors determine which route the cruise director and Captain will choose and which dive sites we visit. Weather, tides, currents and the number of dive vessels at a particular site all play a part in where the boat is heading to. Whilst we attempt to ensure then number of dives we have scheduled is fulfilled, bad weather can hinder the vessel’s ability to reach a specified dive site in good time. The safety of all on board is paramount and we always do our best in offering diving at alternate locations should we be unable to visit those sites listed below.

Please note that this itinerary will involve some diving in strong currents; these dives are not suitable for novice divers. We highly recommend a minimum of Advanced Open Water certification with at least 50 logged dives, Nitrox certification and experience diving in currents.

Arrival airport: Male

Departure airport: Male

Embarkation: Gan

Disembarkation: Kooddoo

The diving day has a typical schedule as follows:

• Light Breakfast followed by a briefing & Dive 1
• Full Breakfast, relaxation period, briefing & Dive 2
• Lunch, relaxation period, briefing & Dive 3
• Snack, relaxation period
• Dinner – if we offer a night or sunset dive, the schedule will be slightly amended

The following is an overview of the areas we may visit during your liveaboard safari with us.

Huvadhoo: Also known as Gaafu Atoll, Huvadhoo is the second largest of the Maldivian atolls and the second largest in the world (in terms of overall surface area).

Fuvahmulah: This solitary island, also commonly called Fomulac Atoll, lies within the Equatorial Channel between Huvadhoo Atoll to the north and Addu Atoll to the south.

Addu: Just south of the Equator, Addu Atoll is the most southern area of the Maldives Archipelago.

Gan Island on the southern tip of the Addu Atoll was previously a base for the British Navy during WWII, after which it was used as a base for the Royal Air Force until the British Military withdrew from the area in 1976. The old base and most of its buildings are now part of a resort, while the old RAF airstrip has been developed into what is now Gan international airport.

Itinerary Checklist:

• Common sightings: Mantas and other pelagics
• Reefs: Submerged reefs and channels
• Wrecks: None
• Night dives: Normally two-three during the week
• Experience required: Beyond beginner
• Currents: Varies – None to strong
• Important Information: Drift dives and negative entries required
• Amount of traveling: No overnight sails

The itinerary is an example of the planned route and dive sites cannot be guaranteed. All dives sites are subject to weather conditions and the final route is taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides. Adverse weather can affect this route which includes several overnight sailings.

This itinerary takes you to the fantastic dive sites in the southern part of the Maldives. You will get to visit the best dive sites around the atolls of Huvadhoo, Laamu, Thaa, Meemu, Vaavu, and South Male. Please note that this itinerary will involve diving in currents. We recommend our guests have a minimum of 50 logged dives, Nitrox certification, and experience with diving in currents. A long overnight sail is also part of this itinerary.

We wish to show you the very best diving possible. However, the number of factors determine which route the Cruise Director and Captain will choose and which dive sites we visit. Weather, tides, currents, and the number of other dive vessels at a particular site all play a part in where the boat is heading to. While we attempt to ensure the number of dives we have scheduled is fulfilled, bad weather can hinder the yacht’s ability to reach a specified dive site in good time. The safety of all on board is paramount, and we always do our best in offering diving at alternate locations should we be unable to visit those sites listed below.

The diving day has a typical schedule as follows:

• Light breakfast followed by a briefing and dive 1
• Full breakfast, relaxation period, briefing, and Dive 2
• Lunch, relaxation period, briefing, and Dive 3
• Snack, relaxation period
• Dinner – if we offer a night/sunset dive, we will slightly amend the schedule.

The following is a description of some of the dive sites we may visit during your liveaboard safari aboard Blue Voyager.

Fushi Kandu – Laamu Atoll

One of the most popular channels dives although, relatively shallow, stretches for 250 m and white tip reef sharks are frequent visitors, as well as schools of jacks, tuna, and eagle rays.

Olhugiri Kandu – Thaa Atoll

Schooling fish and jacks attract large numbers of whitetip reef sharks. Tuna and eagle rays wait for the leftovers. You can see the occasional Napoleon wrasse nibbling on corals.

Mulaku Kandu – Meemu Atoll

The north east is peppered with submerged pinnacles covered predominantly with soft corals, while the western part will see you surrounded by jacks and snappers. Keep an eye out for sharks and rays at 30m!

Guraidhoo Kandu – South Male Atoll

Since the eastern side of the channel is an open ocean, large predatory fish can regularly be spotted here. This site is famous for sharks, schools of eagle rays, and the occasional sailfish and hammerhead sharks. The best time to do this dive is when the current flows into the atoll. You can regularly spot large predatory fish that can drift along with the current into the atoll. Most of the pelagic species can be observed on the eastern side, where the reef drops off into the deep ocean. At the end of the dive in the channel, you can find overhangs along the reef with soft corals. You can observe most of the pelagic species.

Located in a channel, the reef is subject to strong currents at times. The ocean currents carry a lot of nutrients to the reef, supporting an abundance of sea life. The site is renowned for the soft coral growth, turtles, diverse fish life, and invertebrates found on the reef. At the reef slope, you may find sharks and eagle rays.

Embarkation and disembarkation times may vary depending on the itinerary, so please check your cruise confirmation carefully.

If your cruise departure is from Male, transfers are organized from the airport at 12:30 & 16:00. Guests should take an international flight that arrives before these times. At these two times, the dhoni will dock right at the airport pier (almost like a boat taxi stand) and transfer the guests straight to Blue Voyager.

For this itinerary, a short domestic flight to or from Kooddoo Airport is required, which we are happy to book for you. We recommend booking an early arrival and a late departure from Male airport to make the domestic connection easy. Upon arrival at Male airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Voyages Maldives. Please look out for them in the arrivals hall. They will have a sign displaying a blue o two logo. Voyages Maldives will advise and assist you with your onward domestic flight transfer. They also have counter No. 34 located in the arrivals hall. If your domestic flight is scheduled to leave within 2 hours of your arrival in Male, the representative will escort you to the domestic terminal for your flight to Koodoo, from where your boat departs. If your domestic flight is scheduled to leave more than 2 hours from your arrival in Male, please check-in at the Voyages Maldives counter.

The aim of ‘Project Shark’ is to highlight the global issues facing sharks, with a focus on manta rays and whale sharks in the Maldives, as well as enjoying some of the most spectacular reefs that the Maldives have to offer. Learn about the biology and behaviour of both species around the Maldives with nightly lectures from our expert in this field. 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 and organizations.

You will be joined on board for the duration of the safari by our experienced “Project Shark’ trip host, Dr Elke Bojanowski. Founder of the ‘Red Sea Sharks Trust’, experienced dive guide and marine biologist, Elke Bojanowski PhD, 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 and increased its scope to include Grey Reef and Silky Sharks catalogues and monitoring many shark species. Elke is now broadening her shark horizons and hopping over to the Maldives to dive with mantas and whale sharks!

This itinerary takes you to the fantastic dive sites in the southern part of the Maldives. You will get to visit the best dive sites around the atolls of Huvadhoo, Laamu, Thaa, Meemu, Vaavu, and South Male. Please note that this itinerary will involve diving in currents. We recommend our guests have a minimum of 50 logged dives, Nitrox certification, and experience with diving in currents. A long overnight sail is also part of this itinerary.

We wish to show you the very best diving possible, however, the number of factors determine which route the Cruise Director and Captain will choose and which dive sites we visit. Weather, tides, currents and the number of other dive vessels at a particular site all play a part in where the boat is heading to. While we attempt to ensure the number of dives, we have scheduled is fulfilled, bad weather can hinder the yacht’s ability to reach a specified dive site in good time. The safety of all on board is paramount and we always do our best in offering diving at alternate locations should we be unable to visit those sites listed below.

Arrival airport: Male

Departure airport: Male

Embarkation: Male Airport

Disembarkation: Kooddoo Airport

The diving day has a typical schedule as follows:

• Light breakfast followed by a briefing and dive 1
• Full breakfast, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 2
• Lunch, relaxation period, briefing and Dive 3
• Snack, relaxation period
• Dinner – if we offer a night/sunset dive, the schedule will be slightly amended

The following is a description of some of the dive sites we may visit during your liveaboard safari with us.

Huvadhoo: Also known as Gaafu Atoll, Huvadhoo is the second largest of the Maldivian atolls and the second largest in the world (in terms of overall surface area).

Fushi Kandu – Laamu: One of the most popular channel dives, although relatively shallow, it stretches for 250m and white tip reef sharks are frequent visitors, as well as schools of jacks, tuna, and eagle rays.

Olhugiri Kandu – Thaa: Schooling fish and jacks attract large numbers of whitetip reef sharks. Tuna and eagle rays wait for the leftovers the occasional Napoleon wrasse can be seen nibbling on corals.

Mulaku Kandul – Meemu: The north east is peppered with submerged pinnacles covered predominantly with soft corals, while the western part will see you surrounded by jacks and snappers. Keep an eye out for sharks and rays at 30m!

Fotteyo Kandu – Vaavu: Many scuba divers consider Fotteyo Kanu to be the best dive site in the Maldives and it is also rated among the top 5 dive sites in the world.

Guraidhoo Kandu – South Male: Since the eastern side of the channel is an open ocean, large predatory fish can regularly be spotted here.

Kandooma Thila – South Male: Located in a channel, the reef is subject to strong currents at times.

Embarkation and disembarkation times may vary depending on the itinerary, so please check your cruise confirmation carefully.

If your cruise departure is from Male, transfers are organized from the airport at 12:30 & 16:00. Guests should take an international flight that arrives before these times. At these two times, the dhoni will dock right at the airport pier (almost like a boat taxi stand) and transfer the guests straight to the boat.

For this itinerary, a short domestic flight to or from Kooddoo Airport is required, which we are happy to book for you. We recommend booking an early arrival into, and a late departure from Male airport, so you can easily make the domestic connection. Upon arrival at Male airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Voyages Maldives. Please look out for them in the arrivals hall. They will have a sign displaying a blue o two logo. Voyages Maldives will advise and assist you with your onward domestic flight transfer. They also have a counter No. 34 located in the arrivals hall. If your domestic flight is scheduled to leave within 2 hours of your arrival into Male, the representative will escort you to the domestic terminal for your flight to Koodoo, from where your boat departs. if your domestic flight is scheduled to leave more than 2 hours from your arrival into Male, please check-in at the Voyages Maldives counter.

The aim of ‘Project Shark’ is to highlight the global issues facing sharks, focusing on manta rays and whale sharks in the Maldives, as well as enjoying some of the most spectacular reefs that the Maldives have to offer. Learn about both species’ biology and behavior around the Maldives with nightly lectures from our experts in this field. 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 and organizations.

During this trip, you will be able to play a part in adding to valuable research efforts by the ‘Manta Trust’ who works towards the conservation of manta rays worldwide. You will record your sightings for identification throughout the week and submit them to existing Maldivian marine life charities, including the ‘Manta Trust.’

The itinerary for this trip is typically the Southern Maldives. 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 color and critters. And don’t worry – we’ve found manta and whale shark points! The far south offers exciting diving for experienced divers with adventure in mind. This is an incredible trip so expect some fantastic scenery and varied diving.

Encounters with endangered species allow divers to add a greater purpose to their Maldives holiday, so anyone who has an active interest in preserving the marine environment and its inhabitants would enjoy this itinerary. However, it is essential to bear in mind that as well as learning from experts about marine biology studies within the Maldives, divers will enjoy daily diving with the largest pelagic animals of the Maldives and on its best and most famous reefs. Hence, this trip makes the trips equally excellent for those who want to enjoy diving.

Itinerary highlights: 

**PLEASE NOTE** The dive sites below are just an example of the route taken and are not guaranteed. All dive sites are subject to weather conditions and local seasonal knowledge, and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides.

Huvadhoo Atoll: The second largest of the Maldivian atolls and the second largest in the world (in terms of overall surface area), Huvadhoo has an outer reef dotted with deep passages connecting the open waters of the Indian Ocean with those of the interior lagoon, making for some fantastic diving and marine life sightings! It is well known for its large populations of grey reef sharks and whale sharks feeding at night. It is also possible to see scalloped hammerheads, tiger sharks, and silkies, while other dive sites have a high likelihood of zebra sharks and shovelnose guitarfish.

Fushi Kandu – Laamu Atoll: One of the most popular channel dives; although relatively shallow, it stretches for 250m, and whitetip reef sharks are frequent visitors. So too are schools of jacks, as they surge in among tuna and eagle rays.

Olhugiri Kandu – Thaa Atoll: Schooling fish and jacks attract large numbers of white tip reef sharks. Tuna and eagle rays wait for the leftovers, and you can see the occasional large Napoleon wrasse nibbling on corals.

Guraidhoo Corner – Thaa Atoll: Best done as an early morning dive in the hopes of spotting scalloped hammerhead sharks.

Mulaku Kandu – Meemu Atoll: The north east is peppered with submerged pinnacles covered predominantly in soft corals, while the west will see you surrounded by jacks and snappers. Keep an eye open for whitetip and grey reef sharks!

Guraidhoo Kandu – South Malé Atoll: Since the channel’s eastern side is an open ocean, you can regularly spot large predatory fish here. This site is famous for grey and whitetip reef sharks, schools of eagle rays, and the occasional sailfish and hammerheads. The best condition to dive is when the current is flowing into the atoll. The dive begins on the outer reef, following the current into the atoll. You can observe most of the eastern side’s pelagic species, where the reef drops off into the deep ocean. At the end of the dive in the channel, you can find overhangs with plenty of soft coral growth and small fish along the reef.

For this itinerary, a short domestic flight to or from Gan or Kooddoo Airport is required, which we are happy to book for you. We recommend booking an early arrival and a late departure from Male airport to make the domestic connection easy. Upon arrival at Male airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Voyages Maldives. Please look for them in the arrivals hall. They will have a sign displaying the blue o two logos. Voyages Maldives will advise and assist you with your onward domestic flight transfer. They also have counter No. 34 located in the arrivals hall. If your domestic flight is scheduled to leave within 2 hrs of your arrival in Male, the representative will escort you to the domestic terminal for your flight to Gan or Kooddoo, from where your boat departs. If your domestic flight is scheduled to leave more than 2 hours from your arrival in Male, please check-in at the Voyages Maldives counter.

QUALIFICATION NEEDED: You must be certified to dive to a depth of 30 meters and be experienced and comfortable with diving in medium to strong currents. Please refer to our itinerary checklist for additional information. Suppose you have Open Water certification and experience with currents. In that case, we strongly suggest you complete Advanced Open Water or Deep Diver Adventure Dive either before or during your holiday so you can maximize your diving experience onboard.