Description
Boat
Manta Cruise is a 32 meters long, 9 meters wide dive yacht, cruise at 10 knots, it was built in 2006 and benefitted continuous maintenance in order to always meet our guest comfort.
Manta Cruise has a large indoor air-con salon with TV, DVD player, music system, and an assortment of movies and indoor games. There is also a dining area inside the salon, where meals will be served in buffet style with European, Asian and Sir Lankan recipes.
Outside the mian deck salon, there is an open outdoor dining area where guests can enjoy delisous meals with a view. It is also the popular social hub during the trip.
For those who enjoy the sun there is a top level sun deck with chaise longues and mattresses for sun bathing and relaxation.
Manta Cruise has a team of highly experienced crew who take great pride in exceptional service whilst always maintaining safety. The capable crew is ready to go the extra mile to make sure that you have a wonderful and memorable experience.
Manta Cruise embark for a very good quality & price offer and discover the amazing beauty of Maldives.
All diving is done from the 20 meter dive dhoni boat, which provide comfort and function at the same time. All the equipment stay in the dive dhoni (compressors, tanks etc.) in order to keep the noise away from the main boat when filling the tanks. It has toilet and shower and a platform for photo and video cameras.
Cabin
Manta Cruise has 9 guest cabins in total, it can welcome up to 18 guests:
All cabins have air conditioning, fan, ensuite bathroom, outlets for charging electrical devices, as well as storage closet.
2 Ocean View Suites:
Located on the upper deck, with one double bed, sofa sitting area and lots of seaview windows
1 Standard Double/Twin Cabin:
Located on the lower deck, with a double bed and a single bed, portholes.
2 Standard Double Cabins:
Located on the lower deck, with a double bed, portholes.
4 Standard Twin Cabins: Located on the lower deck, with two single beds, portholes.
Diving
- 17 dives per week (1 night dive is included per week).
- No dive on the embarkation and disembarkation day.
- Only 1 - 2 dives will be provided on the last diving day.
- All diving will provide experienced guide to lead the dive.
Other Informations
- Nitrox：Available with additional cost
- 15L Tanks：Available with additional cost
- REBREATHER Dive：Not available at the moment
- Technical Dive：Not available at the moment yet
- Dive Equipment Rental：Available with additional cost
- Dive insurance：Divers must have valid dive insurance
- Wi-Fi Internet ： Available with additional charge
- Laundry Service：Not available at the moment yet
- Massage Service：Not available at the moment yet
- Payment on board：Cash (USD/EUR) or credit cards
- Crew Number：14, include 2 dive guides
Itineraries
Normal Day aboard Manta Cruise (times are approximate)
06h30 Wake-up
07h00 Briefing and departure for the dive with the Diving Dhoni
09h00 Breakfast (buffet) on the Manta Cruise
11h00 Briefing and departure for the dive with the Diving Dhoni
13h00 Lunch (buffet)
15h00 Briefing and departure for the dive with the Diving Dhoni
17h00 Snack
18h00 Sunset Drink! (and presentation if scheduled)
19h30 Dinner (plate)
Notice : 1 or 2 night dives are organized during the trips. In that particular case, the briefing starts at 18h30 and the dinner comes after that (and so the evening drink!).
Central Atolls - From October to May
Male - Male South - Felidhoo - Ari South - Air North - Rasdhoo
Central atolls can be explored all year since they offer an extensive range of possibilities. This is the best choice for a first time in Maldives and always a good option for repeaters. Whatever you want to see, there is an option. There are various cleaning stations for Manta rays, a 30km long reef where to search the Whale Shark, amazing “thilas” full of fish, channel dives, amazing night dives with hunting sharks, rays and jacks altogether. A perfect mix of what Maldives have to offer.
Day 1 : Pick up at airport paper work and Snorkeling
Day 2 to Day 7 : Dive, eat, sleep
Day 8 : Departure, there is no dive organized the last day but you can stay onboard even if your flight is late in the evening.
Extended Southern Trip - From February to April
Male - South Male - Felidhoo - Meemu - Thaa - Lammu - Huvadhoo - Foavamulah - Gan > (fly back to Mele)
From 10D/9N to 13D/12N, the shorter route need to take 2 domestic flight, while the longer cruise only need one flight.
The best time to go to the Southern Atolls is when the weather conditions are the most favorable. With a consistant current flowing from east to west, you will dive with amazing visibility. There are several chances to dive with Manta rays, but what makes it really special is the chance to see Whale Sharks at night just behind the boat, feeding on the plankton attracted by the boat lights. The South was not affected by El Nino thus offering spectacular coral reefs. And finally, the chance to see the highest concentration of grey reef sharks…
Central North Atolls - From October to December
Male - Male Atoll - Male North - Baa Atoll - Rasdhoo Atoll
The major attraction of the Northern Atolls is a phenomenon that occurs during the South-West monsoon starting from June all through the beginning of December. With a little bit of luck, you could find yourself swimming with up to hundreds of Manta Rays! Truly amazing! During this trip, we also have the chance to see unique colorful soft corals and beautiful reef dives.
Day 1 : Pick up at airport paper work and Snorkeling
Day 2 to Day 7 : Dive, eat, sleep
Day 8 : Departure, there is no dive organized the last day but you can stay onboard even if your flight is late in the evening.
More
| Destinations | Central Maldives, North Maldives, South Maldives |
|---|---|
| Facilities | Nitrox support, Sidemount Friendly, Camera Station, Fishing gear, Wi-Fi |
| Languages spoken | English, French |
Schedules & routes
Prices & conditions
Included
- Transfers from airport and/or hotel to the yacht
- VAT and local taxes
- Maldivian GST Tax 16%
- Full-board meal plan (including snacks)
- Complimentary beverages (water, tea, coffee)
- Diving activity (incl. tanks, weights, weight belts)
- Dive guide service
- Land excursions and activities throughout the trip
- Boat accident insurance
- Cabin towels and complimentary toiletries
- Cabin cleaning service
Not included
- Domestic flights in destination country
- Fuel surcharge
- Maldives Green Tax - $6 per night
- Alcoholic beverage
- Soft drinks
- Dive equipment rentals
- Larger tank (15 L)
- Nitrox fills
- Dive insurance (mandatory requirement)
- Travel insurance (trip cancellation insurance)
- Wi-Fi
- Crew gratuity
Useful information
Central Maldives
Best time for diving
December to April, Central Maldives is suitable for diving year-round, these months are the Northeast dry season, and it's the time for best visibility and weather condition.
The visibility range between 20 - 40 meters year-round. And the currents are usually mild to intermediate. Diving depth range from 10 - 40 meters.
About temperatures
Air : range between 27°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : very stable and warm, range from 28°C - 30°C year-round.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a dive Skin or 3 mm wetsuit throughout the year.
Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels, but to enjoy the best out of it, we recommend an AOW level with 30 dives.
You can find out more informations about diving in Central Maldives here : Central Maldives
Embarkation / Disembarkation
The embarkation / disembarkation for Central Maldives cruise will be in Malé, guests need to fly in/out to Velana International Airport (MLE).
Visa Requirements
A 30 days tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to Maldives. This period of stay is not for the visitor to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Maldives Immigration to grant any number of days less than or equal to 30. Please refer to Maldives Tourist Visa for details.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rf), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD or EUR.
Most travel-related costs will be billed in the major global currencies such as USD, EUR, as well as credit cards. The ATMs will only provide cash in Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Drones
Flying a drone is legal in the Maldives, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations. Please check Maldives Civil Aviation Authority for details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
North Maldives
Best time for diving
June to November, North Maldives offers great diving all year, especially in the Far North Atolls, you can expect sunny skies most of the year. And in Hanifaru Bay, each year during June to November is the famous cyclone feeding, which is a rare and spectacular event where over 100 manta rays can feed together and create a chain which the head of each manta ray touches the tail of the manta in front. This creates a huge spiral of up to 200 mantas along with their fellow plankton feeders the Whale Shark.
About temperatures
Air : range between 27°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : very stable and warm, range from 27°C - 29°C year-round.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a dive Skin or 3 mm wetsuit throughout the year.
Diver requirement
Suitable for all levels, but to enjoy the best out of it, we recommend an AOW level with 30 dives. For the Far North Atolls, currents can be strong with choppy wave action, we recommend only for experienced divers.
You can find out more informations about diving in North Maldives here : North Maldives
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation / disembarkation for North Maldives cruise (Baa atoll, Raa atoll, Lhaviyani, Noonu atoll) will be in Malé, guests need to fly in/out to Velana International Airport (MLE).
For the Far North Atolls (Shaviyani atoll, Haa Dhaalu atoll, Haa Alifu atoll), domestic flights / seaplane transfers are required for Haa Alif Atoll (HRF) or KHaa Dhaalu Atoll (HDK).
Visa Requirements
A 30 days tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to Maldives. This period of stay is not for the visitor to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Maldives Immigration to grant any number of days less than or equal to 30. Please refer to Maldives Tourist Visa for details.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rf), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD or EUR.
Most travel-related costs will be billed in the major global currencies such as USD, EUR, as well as credit cards. The ATMs will only provide cash in Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Drones
Flying a drone is legal in the Maldives, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations. Please check Maldives Civil Aviation Authority for details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
South Maldives
Best time for diving
December to April offers the best visibility and sea conditions. Although short spells of heavy rainfall can be experienced during the summer months, but this region do offer good diving all year round.
About temperatures
Air : range between 28°C - 32°C year-round.
Sea : very stable and warm, range from 27°C - 29°C year-round.
Wetsuit Recommendation
We recommend a dive Skin or 3 mm wetsuit throughout the year.
Diver requirement
Suitable for divers have AOW level with good drift diving experience, as there can be strong currents in the channels surrounding the islands.
You can find out more informations about diving in South Maldives here : South Maldives
Embarkation / Disembarkation
Most of the embarkation / disembarkation for South Maldives cruise (Meemu atoll, Thaa atoll, Felidhoo atoll) will be in Malé, guests need to fly in/out to Velana International Airport (MLE).
For the Deep South Atolls (Laamu atoll, Gaafu Alifu atoll, Huvadhoo atoll, Fuvahmulah, Addu atoll), domestic flights are usually required to Addu atoll (GAN), Gaafu Alifu atoll (GKK), Huvadhoo atoll (KDM) or Fuvahmulah (FVM). Longer trips like 2 weeks might depart or return to Male.
Visa Requirements
A 30 days tourist visa is granted for all nationalities on arrival to Maldives. This period of stay is not for the visitor to claim, but lies at the discretion of the Maldives Immigration to grant any number of days less than or equal to 30. Please refer to Maldives Tourist Visa for details.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over the age of 9 months arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Money Matters
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rf), all liveaboards accept cash payments in USD or EUR.
Most travel-related costs will be billed in the major global currencies such as USD, EUR, as well as credit cards. The ATMs will only provide cash in Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Drones
Flying a drone is legal in the Maldives, but we recommend being aware of and compliant with the drone regulations. Please check Maldives Civil Aviation Authority for details.
Extending your holiday
We offer a range of hotels/resorts, land-based diving packages, and excursions that can be arranged before or after your liveaboard holiday. Just ask us if you need such service.
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