Explore the Maldives with this local island-hopping dive adventure in Baa Atoll. Immerse yourself in authentic Maldivian hospitality and expectational diving, with the Manta rays of Hanifaru Bay and reefs among the highlights.
Visting two areas in southern Baa Atoll, this Maldives Island Hopping trip idea gives travellers the opportunity to be up-close and personal to manta rays during the right season. From around July to October, and even into November, manta rays gather in large numbers around southern Baa Atoll. Hanifaru Bay is the central meeting point where plankton rich waters draw in pelagic filter feeders; here manta cyclones can form, and whale sharks occasionally join the party too. By staying on local islands, divers can see what genuine life in the Maldives is like too, for much less compared to staying on a resort island.
The diving in this area is suitable for all levels. From Fulhadoo, Goidhoo Atoll, divers have the opportunity to visit the inner and outer reef, with nurse sharks, Napoleon wrasse, turtles, eagle rays, and seasonal manta rays, and hard coral formations. While from Maalhos, divers can experience the house reef plus a variety of underwater seascapes, with submerged pinnacles, swim-throughs, and overhangs cutting into the side of the reef.
This trip idea is based on four nights at Island Luxury Dive Hotel on Fulhadoo, Goidhoo, followed by three nights at Island Luxury Retreat Maalhos, Baa. As no diving is allowed in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves of Hanifaru Bay, this itinerary includes a snorkelling excursion to the marine park in addition to a snorkelling excursion to a coral restoration nursery.
The itinerary can be adjusted to your suit your travel requirements; contact our expert dive holiday specialists to arrange your Maldives island hopping dive adventure.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive in the Maldives & transfer to local island
Upon arrival to Male, you’re transferred by speed boat to
Island Luxury Dive Hotel, in southern Baa Atoll, for four nights.
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Days 3-4
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Dive Fulhadoo & Goidhoo Atoll
Your itinerary includes ten boat dives across the stay.
This dive package starts this morning, exploring the inner and outer reefs of Goidhoo Atoll. This tiny atoll is on the southern tip of Baa Atoll, rarely visited by other divers, and home to manta rays, nurse sharks, grey reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and hard corals.
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Day 5:
Transfer to Maalhos
This morning, a speedboat transfers you to
Island Luxury Retreat Maalhos for three nights. This afternoon you dive into the waters of Baa Atoll, with manta cleaning stations, soft and hard corals, and multiple shark and turtle species. Each of the 35 dive sites delivers in a different way.
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Days 6-8
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Dive Baa Atoll & visit Hanifaru Bay
Spend the next few days enjoying the remaining dives in your ten dive package, diving the sites around Maalhos local island, and snorkelling on the house reef. During your stay, there's a snorkelling excursion to visit Hanifaru Bay.
During the monsoon season from July to October, manta rays congregate in huge numbers, feeding on the nutrient rich waters that accumulates in the bay. Snorkellers may even encounter whale sharks in these waters too.
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Day 9:
Transfer to Male, & fly back to the UK
Today you start your journey back to the UK, first by speedboat transfer back to Male, followed by international flights. Depending on the flight time, you may land the following morning.
Please note: Alcohol is not served on local Maldivian Islands. The Island Luxury Dive Hotel offers alcohol on board the sailing yacht to guests only, as part of excursion packages.
