The Deep South of the Maldives Aboard the Four Seasons Explorer
Emily C, Eleanor and Jacqui are here to help give you the inside track.
Travel aboard the Four Seasons Explorer to the remote southern atolls, island-hopping across the Maldives' most secluded islands and exploring some of the least-visited dive sites on offer. The deep south of the Maldives is home to an incredible array of marine life, from manta rays in the Laamu Atoll to incredible shark encounters at Fuvahmulah Atoll; discover some of the most pristine, unchartered sites of the Maldives.
Itinerary at a Glance:
- Shark encounters at one of the most southernly atolls in the Maldives, including the possibility of thresher, hammerhead and tiger sharks
- Incredible and remote diving throughout the trip, with the likelihood of having most dive sites to yourself
- Excellent snorkelling throughout, suitable for those that don't dive
- Night snorkelling with whale sharks
- Diving the deep south of the Maldives in true luxury
Why Book with Original Diving?
When To Travel
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
Day 1: International Flight
This evening, you will depart London for your journey to the Maldives to explore the remote, unchartered waters of the country's deep south.
There are a several different routes but this itinerary will take you via a direct overnight flight to Male with British Airways. The flight takes just over ten hours, arriving the following morning.
Day 2: Arrive in the Maldives
Upon arrival into Male you will be met by the Four Seasons team and whisked off by speedboat to private island paradise Four Season Kuda Huraa, which takes around 20 minutes.
Spend the morning relaxing into island life, shaking off any residual fatigue by relaxing on the beach or indulging in a spa treatment. Dine on a fresh, delicious lunch by the lagoon before boarding the Four Seasons Explorer at around 3pm.
Following your introduction to the crew and safety briefing, settle into your cabin as you set sail to the South Male atoll.
Once you are settled, there will be an orientation dive in the South Male atoll in Cocoa, where divers will test out their gear surrounded by all manner of marine life, from huge schools of fusiliers and sweetlips to eagle rays and white tip reef sharks. Once the dive is finished, the crew will haul anchor and steam south overnight to the Laamu Atoll.
Sip on sundowners as the sun dips below the horizon before enjoying the 'Captain's dinner' under a blanket of stars - there's no light pollution here so make sure you enjoy that incredible night sky.
Days 3–4: Diving the Laamu Atoll
This morning you will wake up in the incredibly remote Laamu Atoll, home to some of the best diving in the Maldives.
The rule goes, the more remote you go, the fishier it gets, and never has this been truer than with the Laamu Atoll. You will spend the next two days exploring this atoll, diving three to four times per day, as well as have the opportunity to see all of the nocturnal critters during a night dive.
Although there are many channels at Laamu, it has less than you'll find at many of the other atolls you will visit on this trip, making currents less strong and more suitable to those looking for gentler dives. Visibility is also improved because of the atoll's topography, and Napoleon wrasse and schooling barracuda are easily and often spotted. The reef manta cleaning station Hithadhoo Corner attracts so many of these swooping giants that the Manta Trust set up shop nearby. Aside from mantas, you will also be able to spot huge plumes of reef fish, schooling grey reef sharks and rays galore. Keep your eyes peeled for bull sharks!
Diving aside, there is fantastic snorkelling on offer throughout the day as well as the opportunity to place your feet on dry land visiting a local island for a flavour of the Maldivian way of life.
Days 5–6: Diving the Huvadhoo Atoll
New Day, new atoll. Today you will head further south to explore the Huvadhoo Atoll, one of the southern-most atolls of the Maldives, where you will spend the next two days. Again, you will have the option for three to four dives per day.
Huvadhoo's southern sites offer some of the best opportunities to see pelagic species, including sailfish and grey reef, leopard and occasional tiger sharks. Macro enthusiasts will have ample opportunity to spot nudibranchs, shrimps, lobsters and crabs. In fact, the sites here are so varied they can easily be dived more than once with a different experience every time. While the atoll's sites have an average depth of around 15 metres, there is much to be seen deeper at 30+ metres, where the currents are also calmer.
One evening, you will have the opportunity to head to a secret spot where you will hopefully be able to snorkel with whale sharks at night - there's nothing quite like swimming alongside the ocean's biggest fish under the starry sky.
As with every day on the Explorer, it is not just about diving. There will be plenty of opportunities for snorkelling as well as trips to deserted sandbanks and an incredible barbecue dinner on the beach.
Day 7: Diving the Fuvahmulah Atoll
Today you will arrive at the crème de la crème of Maldivian diving: Fuvahmulah Atoll. This tiny atoll is rarely visited by divers, and therein lies the charm. You will be able to do three dives today.
The larger waves of this atoll make it impossible to moor here, but it is also all the more untouched for it. These are fairly uncharted waters with a phenomenal amount of marine life. Expect abundant vibrant corals with swathes of schooling fish; Fuvahmulah is also known as the very best spot in the Maldives for shark encounters.
Unique to Fuvahmulah is the oceanic manta, which is 30 per cent larger than its reef-going cousin and an incredible sight. The Plateau gives the possibility of seeing hammerheads, tiger and thresher sharks, whilst reef sharks are also regularly spotted.
On your surface interval you can visit the island of Fuvahmulah, the only island in the atoll. Stretching just under three miles, the island can easily be explored on foot, with idyllic beaches and dramatic waves popular with surfers. The islands beautiful mosque, formed by coral stone, is also definitely worth a visit.
Day 8: Diving the Huvadhoo Atoll
Today you will cruise north back to the Huvadhoo Atoll to enjoy two final dives before departing back to Male overnight.
Day 9: Morning arrival at Kuda Huraa
This morning you will arrive back at Four Seasons Kuda Huraa in the North Male atoll.
After a final breakfast on the beach, you will be transferred to the airport in good time for your direct British Airways flight back to London, which will take just over 11 hours, arriving the same day.
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
A Rough Idea of Price
This Itinerary
If you would like to book the exact itinerary mentioned above, with economy flights, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels.
From
£10,980pp
Bells & Whistles
If you are looking for something extra special and would like to add business or first class flights, stay in top room categories at some of the most luxurious hotels we work with, and add more activities and guiding.
From
£13,410pp
Emily C, Eleanor and Jacqui are our experts for this itinerary and as seasoned travellers they have the inside track on the most memorable adventures.