Our Itineraries in the Maldives

Wandering from atoll to atoll on one of the ABYSS itinerary cruises, you will have the sensation of diving in exclusivity. One of our Team Abyss guides will accompany the cruise to share their experience of the sites and to ensure your optimal comfort: seaworthy vessels, varied abundance of food (including mineral water) and memorable evenings facing the setting sun.

For the dives, we choose quality sites that are rarely visited to ensure you have a feeling of total exclusivity.

The distances between different stages situated on the same atoll are reasonably short. One to two hours a day is generally enough. Only when navigating between the atolls is a longer time of navigation required.

We have established several itineraries of variable durations. This will permit you to dive at different zones of the archipelago based on the budget and time that you have available. To find out more about the timing of our cruises please follow the link related to Dates and Tarifs.

No matter which itinerary you choose, here is how a general day on one of our cruises unfolds (this is an indication, subject to modifications):

We often start early in the morning to take advantage of the first light of the day. After a quick snack (coffee, tea, biscuits) we leave in the dive tender for the first dive to enjoy the amazing morning life of the reef system. Back on board a sumptuous breakfast will be served before preparing to move to the next site. During times of navigation you will be able to rest on the deck or in the saloon. Once at the next site an early lunch will be served followed by the preparation for the next dive. After the completion of the second dive and based on your personal preference you will have the choice of a third afternoon dive or night dive, cultural excursion to one of the fishing villages or a well earned siesta on board before dinner.

Our "theme" cruises:

"Whale Sharks & Mantas" Cruises with Guy Stevens
For more than a year now, Loïc and Cynthia, our guides in the Maldives, have been working closely with the biologist Guy Stevens to complete the "ABYSS ID" program. This program has been created to observe and identify manta rays and whale sharks encountered during our cruises, with the assistance of those divers that we welcome aboard. Information and photos collected will allow us to expand the Guy Stevens' database, and to better understand this population, the migration and "social" patterns of these fragile animals.

Guy Stevens will accompany our cruise from 5th to 13th and from 13th to 24th of November 2012.

During this favorable observation period for whale sharks and manta rays, we will try to dive in the midst of large concentrations of mantas, on sites that Guy particularly appreciates. Each passenger will have the opportunity to lend a hand, actively participate and learn. Guy will share his knowledge and show you how to observe animals (identification of the individual and determination of their sex, migration patterns, etc.) Over and beyond his expertise in the marine environment, Guy will also share a wealth of information about the Maldives, atoll formations, and local culture... A rare and rewarding opportunity!

For more information about Guy Stevens, click here.

"XXL" Cruises Along the reef of the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll (Ari South), we encounter a natural coral barrier extending for more than 40 kilometers from East to West. The particular topography of this reef has attracted a large amount of whale sharks where, after a census was made, about 130 have chosen this underwater paradise as their residence. There is therefore a very good chance of encountering the largest fish in the world all year round, to the delight of our amazed divers!However, as we all know, nature guards its secrets jealously! But if like us, you're looking to find out more about these mysteries, come and join us on our "XXL" cruise. During our cruise, dives, presentations, films and discussions will be proposed everyday, which will allow us to discover more about these two giant mysterious and magnificent creatures, the Manta Ray and the Whale Shark! And as usual, additional dives will be proposed to discover all the species and extended natural beauties of the Maldives Archipelago!

NEW : "Abyss ID" Programm
Working In close collaboration with a marine biologist, in the Maldives for many years, Cynthia Thouari, our tour guide aboard the Manta Cruise, has launched the "Abyss ID" program. This program, which will run throughout the 2010/2011 season, has been put in place to identify and photograph manta rays we encounter during our cruises. Once transmitted to the biologist, our data will allow identifying new individuals and studying the behavior and migration of this unprotected species. Without any obligation, all divers aboard the Manta Cruise will be welcome to participate in the "Abyss ID" program. Their comments and pictures will be valuable information and enhance the effectiveness of this program. Finally, the implementation of this program does not alter our routes, as the census will be depending on our encounters.

Here are your 4 exclusive itineraries:
(the stages given are general indications and may be modified depending on navigation and weather conditions plus the interest and desires of the divers)

Central Cruise - the Atolls of North Malé, South Malé, Ari, Felidhu, Vattaru and Meemu
A complete itinerary permitting us to experience the marvellous potential of the underwater world in the Maldives. With a duration of 7, 8, 10 or 12 nights this cruise offers divers the possibility to discover amongst others the wreck of the Victory (North Malé), the Foteo drop-off, the Manta rays of Dhonkalo Thila, the hammerheads of Rasdhu, the grey sharks of Maya Thila or the whale sharks South of Ari Atoll. Generally speaking the choice is vast and you will actively participate in the expansion of the itinerary taking into consideration your desires for underwater encounters.

On 12 night charters, this itinerary could have us cover approximately 600 kilometres.

Extended South Cruise - Atolls of South Malé, Ari, Felidhu, Vattaru, Meemu, Thaa, Laamu, Gaafu and Gan
Using an ascending or descending formula this itinerary permits us to explore the extreme South of the archipelago with a strong impression of going back in time: only a few hotels, even less divers and many almost untouched sites. By taking an internal flight from Malé to Gan we save precious time and never retrace our steps on our 12 night cruise.
The South offers sites of abundant intact coral and extremely varied underwater topography. Even though the fish life is abundant on every dive it is true that the encounters with whale sharks or Manta rays are less frequent than on the classic cruise. Having said this, certain areas are prolific with grey sharks and rays.

Far North Cruise - Atolls of North Malé, Rasdhu, Baa, Raa, Haa Dhaalu, Haa Alifu, Shaviyani, Noonu et Lhaviyani.
Organised only once this season (in the month of November 2011), this Extreme North Cruise will permit us to discover new dive sites beyond the atolls of Baa and Lhavivani in an environment entirely preserved. For more comfort, we propose roundtrip itinerary from Malé. This cruise is designed for experienced divers in search of exploration and surprises.
Untouched coral reefs, abundant fish life and varied topography; the extended North cruise is similar to that of the extended South cruise where the encounters with whale sharks and Manta rays are less frequent than with the classic cruise itinerary.

North Cruise - Atolls of North Malé, Ari, Rasdhu, Baa and Lhaviyani
Reserved for groups who wish to charter the boat exclusively and totally, this itinerary can replace a classic cruise. This permits divers with a good knowledge of the destination to dive on some of the most beautiful sites of Rasdhu and North Male plus discover those of Baa and Lhavivani, renowned for their limited visitations. In addition, drift diving between reefs will allow you to dive with pelagics such as rays, sharks, tuna and jacks. Above the coral reef formations you will also observe large quantities of multicoloured reef fish.