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Hanifaru + North Ari
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HANIFARU + NORTH ARI

From July to October each year, hundreds of majestic manta rays gather at Hanifaru Bay, one of the world's most renowned Marine Protected Areas, located in the Maldives. While scuba diving is prohibited within Hanifaru Bay itself, the surrounding area features numerous manta cleaning stations and dive sites where you can experience diving alongside these graceful creatures. On the Hanifaru + North itinerary, in addition to mantas, you'll encounter a diverse array of large marine species and vibrant underwater life, offering an unforgettable diving adventure.

Hanifaru + North Ari
Hanifaru + North Ari
  • Duration – 08 days / 07 nights
  • ATOLLS – Male – Baa – Ari
  • DIVES – 17 Dives including 1-2 Night Dives
DAY 1 - SATURDAY

Maldives Legend Airport staff will welcome you at Velana International Airport on arrival and take you to the boat for boarding.

Refreshments are served while you get checked in followed by general boat briefing. Today is a day of relaxation and preparation for your check dive tomorrow.

14: 00 – Check In & Boat Briefing followed by Lunch

16:00 - Crossing to Baa Atoll

19:30 – Dinner

DAY 2 - SUNDAY

07:30 - Dive 1 at Angafaru - Check Dive

08:30 – Breakfast

10:00 – Dive 2 at Nelivaru Thilall

12:00 – Lunch

14:30 – Dive 3 at Dhigali Thila or Snorkel at Hanifaru Bay

19:30 – Dinner

DIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Angafaru: All sorts of marine life can be seen while drifting along the reef. Turtles, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays and Sharks can be seen

Nelivaru Thila: A fairly large Thila (pinnacle) compared to the rest. Site features Manta Rays that come for cleaning and schools of fish.
DAY 3 - MONDAY

07:00 – Dive 4 Dharavandhoo Thila

08:30 – Breakfast

10:30 – Dive 5 Dhigu Thila

12:00 – Lunch

14:30 – Dive 6 Snorkeling at Hanifaru Bay

19:30 – BBQ Dinner

DIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Dharavandhoo Thila: Dharavandhoo Thila is a great spot for macro lovers and photographers, there is also a manta ray cleaning station between May and November.

Hanifaru Bay: The globally known marine protected area where Scuba Diving is banned. You will get to snorkel or freedive here if lucky with 100s of Manta Rays and at times whale sharks.
DAY 4 - TUESDAY

06:30 – Dive 7 Dhonfan Thila

08:00 – Breakfast

09:00 – Dive 8 Goidhoo Kandu

15:30 – Dive 9 Rasdhoo Madivaru

19:30 – Dinner

DIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Dhonfan Thila: This dive site is well-known for manta rays (during the moonsoon). Dhonfan Thila is full of cleaner wrasses, fusiliers, triggerfish, parrotfish, butterflyfish, hawkfish, sharks, etc.

Rasdhoo Madivaru: In addition to huge sharks, Rasdhoo Madivaru has eagle rays, tuna, barracudas, mackerel, and grouper. Chances of seeing hammerheads
DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY

06:30 – Dive 10 Rasdhoo Madivaru Hammerhead Point

08:30 – Breakfast

10:30 – Dive 11 Maya Thila

12:00 – Lunch

14:30 – Dive 12 Fesdhoo Wreck

18:30 – Dive 13 Fesdhoo Lagoon (Manta Night Dive) 20:30 – Dinner

DIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Rasdhoo Hammerhead Point: Good chance of sighting Hammehard Sharks

Fesdhoo Lagoon: Famous manta site with high possibility of manta feed sighting outside the atoll.
DAY 6 - THURSDAY

07:00 – Dive 14 Fish Head

08:30 – Breakfast (Cruise to South Male’ Atoll)

10:30 – Dive 15 Guraidhoo Corner

12:00 – Lunch

14:30 – Dive 16 Kandooma Thila

19:30 – Dinner

DIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Fish Head:< Marine life thrives at Fish Head. You'll spot gray and white reef sharks, schools of fusiliers, mackerel and tuna, turtles, snappers, and surgeonfish.

Kandooma Thila: The many species to discover and encounter which include big schools of eagle rays, white tip sharks, barracudas green turtles and grey reef sharks.
DAY 7 - FRIDAY

06:30 – Dive 17 Hulhumale Neru or Fish Tank

08:30 – Breakfast

12:00 – Lunch

14:30 – Fish Tank Snorkeling trip or Male’ City Tour

16:30 - Option to choose different Spa treatments offered by Footrest

19:30 - Dinner

DIVE HIGHLIGHTS

Hulhumale Neru: This could be one of the main highlights of you trip. The Dive here can attract a huge variety of marine life. From fevers of stingrays to tiger sharks, hammer head sharks, bull sharks and variety of colorful fishes.
DAY 7 - SATURDAY

07:30 - Breakfast

10:00 - Checkout from Boat

10:30 - Dropoff to airport

Our dedicated staff will assist you in cleaning and washing your dive equipment. They will also assist you in packing, if required. Our Team will always take care of you until you

eave from the Maldives.

Have Safe Journey home

Looking forward to welcome you again

Thank you for choosing Maldives Legend to be your liveaboard operator for your Hanifaru Itinerary On this opportunity we would also like to highlight that the above itinerary is subject to changes depending on weather, current and monsoon. We have presented you how a typical Hanifaru + Ari itinerary would take place.