Maldives Southern Atolls 3 - 10 March 2024
Join Michael AW for this Special Focused Sharks and Rays expedidition through thte idyllic southern atolls of the Maldives
from $US 2688 per person ( OG members recieve $US 200 discount)
Make your reservation now
Beneath the Indian Ocean is a huge ridge, inundated by numerous far-reaching fractures. The ridge splits into two long arms east of Madagascar. One arm snakes around Africa and links up with the Atlantic Ridge, while the other arm extends to the south of Australia and eventually links up with the East Pacific rise. Between East Africa and Western Australia, the midpoint of the Indian Ocean is the atolls of the Maldives. Lying at the tips of a great, submerged mountain range that stretches from the Lakshadweep Islands to the Chagos Islands, great migratory currents swish through the atolls, leaving behind waters rich in plankton
Like an oasis in the Sahara, pelagics congregate at the atolls to feed and to procreate. Hammerheads, whale sharks, tunas, orcas, tiger sharks, silver tips, threshers, reef and oceanic mantas are frequent visitors to the far southern atolls of the Maldives. Tidal currents flushing through the channels bring a constant food source into the atolls, sustaining spectacular coral growth, which in turn supports a realm of reef fishes in extraordinary abundance.
The reefs of Maldives are among nature’s underwater wonders where reef fishes thrive in astonishing abundance and density. Without the threat of spearguns, dynamite, and cyanide, reef fishes swim blithesomely among divers and snorkellers. Making pictures underwater in the Maldives is akin to shooting in the world’s largest aquarium teeming with fish life; many species are predictably found in enormous numbers. Not only is the profusion of fish life amazing, but also the predictability of seeing the same fishes at the same sites within soft corals in colours of the rainbow is the trademark of the Maldives underwater. The Maldives is the fishpond of the Indian Ocean.
The focus of our expedition is to interact with as many sharks and rays of the Maldives far southern atolls;
Fuvahmulah consists of a single island – a rock situated in the middle of the deepest channel. This smallest atoll is a hotspot for the most diverse big shark action in the world: tigers, silver tips, oceanic whitetips, threshers, hammerheads, whale sharks, silkies and of course the usual suspects – white-tip, grey reefs and nurse sharks.
Huvadhoo; boasts of the best channel dives in the Maldives. As these atolls are hit by the massive flow of water coming from the deep, hundreds of reef sharks gather to feed at the entrance of channels. Expect to see Oceanic Black-tip/Spinner sharks, Silkies, Whale sharks, Bronze Whalers, Hammerheads, Grey reefs and mantas. These two atolls harbour some of the remaining pristine coral colonies in the world. With the impending threat of rising sea temperatures, come see these natural heritages of our planet before they vanish.
OG publisher/director, Michael AW, author of two books and two broadcast documentaries about the Maldives, has specially designed the itinerary of this expedition to show you the finest of the southern atolls.
The Expedition platform is the Duke of York, a state-of-the-art expedition liveaboard vessel. Exquisitely designed and furnished, the Duke of York offers a boutique style liveaboard diving experience. Palatial en-suite cabins are equipped with LCD TVs, and the spacious lounge is set up with wi-fi Internet, generous space for camera work, presentations and fine dining experiences.
Diving support is on spacious dedicated dhohi; three dives per day and nitrox are included.
Cost: USD $2,688*
plus GST, park, port, and service fees - $280
Green and bed tax $48
*OG current member price/ non-members add USD 200.
* OG Expedition t-shirt package and shark photography advice.
* Wifi – free for OG Premiere members / $25 for non-members
For the upper deck cabin add USD 185 pp twin share.
Domestic flights: Male – Huvadhoo and Favulmulah to Male - $350 * subject to airline change
We suggest arriving in Male on 2 March to connect a domestic flight to Huvadhoo
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