Black Manta

The Dune Black Manta Liveaboard, formerly known as the Noraya, is a vessel by Dune Liveaboards offering a range of amenities and features, including 14 convertible-double rooms, six of which have sea views. Guests are sure to enjoy the luxurious liveaboard experience with comfortable cabins, relaxing deck areas, and a central hub for dining and socializing.

Location

Guests can fly in at the Malé International Airport. From there, the Dune staff will arrange the pickup to the main boat.

Dive Overview

One of the major draws in the Maldives is the impressive schools of fish that swim in vibrant groups around the coral reefs. These schools include a variety of species such as Humpback and Black and White Snappers, Trevally Jacks, Barracuda, Batfish, Unicornfish, Yellowback Fusiliers, and Harlequin Sweetlips, which have a comical appearance.

[See: Maldives Dive Travel Guide]

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Accommodation Overview

The Dune Black Manta features 14 convertible-double rooms, which consist of three double bedrooms and 11 twin bedrooms that can be easily converted into double beds. Six of the rooms have sea views, and the upper deck offers six cabins with panoramic views, sunbeds, and shaded areas. 

 Each room on The Dune Black Manta is equipped with an adjustable air conditioning system and includes a private bathroom and toilet for guests' comfort and convenience. The cabins are designed to provide a comfortable and luxurious living space for guests during their stay on board the liveaboard boat.

Food & Drinks

Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner served outdoors on the boat's deck to take in the amazing views of the Maldives. The meals are prepared by the onboard chef, who specializes in international and local cuisine. The menu includes a variety of dishes, including vegetarian options and seafood freshly caught during the dive trip.

The salon and bar area serves as the central hub of the boat and offers an array of delightful cocktails and refreshments for guests. The bar is stocked with a variety of beverages, including wine, beer, and soft drinks. 

Dive Information

Maldives Dive Overview

• Diving Environment: Diving in the Maldives is known for its diversity. From tiny nudibranchs and hard to spot ghostpipe fish, through eels, turtles, big schools of snappers, fusiliers and reef sharks to our favorite manta rays and whale sharks seen all year round.
• All the dives are conducted from a spacious and fully equipped dive Dhoni (Skiff).
• Water temperature: Water temperature varies from 80F (27 Celsius) in wet season to 86F (30 Celsius) in dry season
• 3mm wetsuit recommended

Central Route

It is heaven on earth: experience the emerald, green lagoons and gorgeous underwater landscapes of this central circuit.

By taking the Central route, you will discover a variety of coral gardens, drop-offs, drift dives and even a few wrecks. The ocean lovers may have the chance to lend an eye on macro creatures or on the bigger ones: manta rays and whale sharks. A dream liveaboard safari week in the heart of the Maldives you can never get bored of you will just want to live it over and over again. The itinerary description of the liveaboard safari is only informative as this shall be adapted to weather conditions, currents and the divers' wishes and levels.

• Day 1: Hulhumal
• HulhumalDunes staff will pick you up at Mal International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumal marina
• Day 2: North Mal Atoll > Vaavu Atoll
• North Mal Atoll > Vaavu AtollThe trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs or a manta point (May to Nov only) in North Mal Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the dive, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. Theres nothing as exciting as diving with nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 3: Vaavu Atoll > South Ari Atoll
• Vaavu Atoll > South Ari AtollSmall caves, large overhangs, drop-off walls, and sloping reefs covered with corals can be found in Vaavu Atoll. Titan triggerfish are common. Larger marine life such as grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, tunas, and barracudas are also found here. Moving west to the South Ari Atoll, you will dive on beautiful pinnacles and be able to spot bigger marine life. Dive into this aquarium offered by mother nature and get a chance to meet the the stars of the trip.
• Day 4: South Ari Atoll
• South Ari AtollIn the marine protected area, our first stars, the mighty whale sharks, regularly show up. Our crew will search for their presence and give you a chance to snorkel or even scuba dive with them. Lucky or not, there are also many thilas and some wrecks in South Ari Atoll. Grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, scorpionfish are definitely part of the fauna here. Exploring Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to a nearby local island just before dinner.
• Day 5: South Ari Atoll > North Ari Atoll
• South Ari Atoll > North Ari AtollCruising never stops, moving up to North Ari Atoll while taking a last chance to get a close look at whale sharks. In the north, channels are wider and the ocean is deeper. We will meet some more stars here. The currents attract many grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and even other large pelagic fish. When night falls, you will be invited to go ashore again and indulge yourself in a barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.
• Day 6: North Ari Atoll
• North Ari AtollMultiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas and wreck with rich marine life are the highlights of this area of Ari Atoll. You will also find here eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers. The day will end with a manta night dive. Admire the enormous manta rays feeding right in front your torch.
• Day 7: North Ari Atoll > North Mal Atoll
• North Ari Atoll > North Mal AtollAfter one last dive in North Ari Atoll the cruise will head back to North Mal Atoll. Here you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific pelagic and reef life. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumal marina to spend your last night on board.
• Day 8: Hulhumal
• HulhumalThe trip is coming to an end. Our crew will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day if you have a late flight. Various options are available ranging from snorkelling excursions and booking for accommodations.
• It's time to go back home with fantastic new memories!

South Route 7 Nights

The South itinerary is very famous for the pelagic encounters. Dives can be intense with strong currents and a lot of drift dives.

The perfect route for those divers who likes to push their limits!

• Day 1: Hulhumal
• HulhumalDune staff will pick you up at Mal International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumal marina.
• Day 2: North Mal Atoll > South Mal Atoll > Vaavu Atoll
• North Mal Atoll > South Mal Atoll > Vaavu AtollThe trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs of North Mal Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the dive, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. Theres nothing as exciting as watching nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 3: Vaavu Atoll > Meemu Atoll > Thaa Atoll
• Vaavu Atoll > Meemu Atoll > Thaa AtollThe excellent pristine channels of Vaavu and Meemu offer steep walls and overhangs coated with healthy hard and soft corals. You will have a chance of looking for hammerhead sharks and to observe grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and hawksbill turtles.
• In Thaa Atoll, the boat will moor in a location well known for the nocturnal encounters with the whale shark.
• Day 4: Thaa Atoll > Meemu Atoll
• Thaa Atoll > Meemu AtollDiscover an impressive topography of submerged pinnacles, channels, corals gardens, overhangs, and swim throughs. You will also encounter white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, tunas, schools of jacks... Stop in the sandy channel of Khurali to check for mantas, eagle rays, stingrays and ghost pipe fish.
• Day 5: Meemu Atoll > Vaavu Atoll
• Meemu Atoll > Vaavu AtollStop in Fotteyo, one of the most famous and rich dive sites of the Maldives with its stunning and colorful caves and swim throughs where we dive again the next morning in the blue to look for hammerhead sharks.
• Enjoy the amazing sunset and scenery from the sandbank.
• Day 6: Vaavu Atoll > South Mal Atoll
• Vaavu Atoll > South Mal AtollBack in Guraidhoo, visit the fisherman island and dive two of the mythic and unmissable channels of this atoll.
• Day 7: South Mal Atoll > North Mal Atoll
• South Mal Atoll > North Mal AtollWe are back at the starting point but the adventure is not finished yet! Take a chance to dive among stingrays, giant morays and even sight the majestic guitar shark. Time to wash the equipment, then to enjoy the sunset while the crew prepares a special dinner for your last night onboard.
• Day 8: Hulhumal
• HulhumalThe trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day if you have a late flight. Various options are available ranging from snorkeling excursions and accommodation bookings.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

South Route 11 Nights

The South itinerary is very famous for pelagic encounters. Dives can be intense with a lot of drift dives.

The perfect route for divers who likes to push their limits!

• Day 1: Hulhumal
• HulhumalDune staff will pick you up at Mal International Airport and bring you to to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend your first night at Hulhumal marina.
• Day 2: North Mal Atoll > South Mal Atoll > Vaavu Atoll
• North Mal Atoll > South Mal Atoll > Vaavu AtollThe trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs in North Mal Atoll. Corals are abundant here, giving home to plenty of reef fish and macro species. After the day, we will cruise to Vaavu Atoll for an unmissable night dive. Theres nothing as exciting as watching nurse sharks, sting rays, and jacks in their feeding frenzy.
• Day 3: Vaavu Atoll > Meemu Atoll
• Vaavu Atoll > Meemu AtollThe excellent pristine channels of Meemu offer steep walls and overhangs coated with healthy hard and soft corals. You will have a chance of looking for hammerhead sharks and to observe grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasses, and hawksbill turtles.
• Day 4: Meemu Atoll > Thaa Atoll
• Meemu Atoll > Thaa AtollTravelling deeper to the south, you will discover a variety of impressive sites with submerged pinnacles, channels, corals gardens, overhangs, and swim throughs. You will also encounter white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, tunas, schools of jacks...
• Day 5: Thaa Atoll > Daalu Atoll
• Thaa Atoll > Daalu AtollCruising to the seldom visited atolls of the west, you will enjoy pristine waters and great visibility. With a bit of luck, you may come across green sea turtles and even spinner dolphins. You will find more grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasses, and various schools of reef fish in the channels.
• Day 6: Daalu Atoll > Faafu Atoll > South Ari Atoll
• Daalu Atoll > Faafu Atoll > South Ari AtollIn the outer reefs of Faafu Atoll, explore the channels to see grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, schools of jacks, bigeye trevallies, and barracudas. Moving north to South Ari Atoll, you will dive on beautiful pinnacles and observe bigger marine life. Dive into this aquarium offered by mother nature, finally meeting the stars of the trip.
• Day 7: South Ari Atoll
• South Ari AtollIn the marine protected areas, our first stars, the mighty whale sharks regularly show up. Our crew will search for their presence and allow you a chance to snorkel or even scuba dive with them. Lucky or not, there are also many thilas and some wrecks in South Ari Atoll. Grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, moray eels, scorpionfish are definitely to be found here. Exploring Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to the nearby local island just before dinner.
• Day 8: South Ari Atoll > North Ari Atoll
• South Ari Atoll > North Ari AtollCruising never stops, moving up to North Ari Atoll while taking a last chance to get a close look at whale sharks. In the north, channels are wider and the ocean is deeper. We will meet some more stars here. The currents attract many grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and even other large pelagic fish. When night falls, you will be invited ashore again and indulge yourself in the barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.
• Day 9: North Ari Atoll
• North Ari AtollMultiple manta cleaning stations, extraordinary thilas and wreck with rich marine life are the highlights of this area of Ari Atoll. You will also find eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school of blue-stripe snapper, batfish, and fusiliers here. The day will end with a manta night dive. Admire the enormous manta rays feeding right in front your torch.
• Day 10: North Ari Atoll > Rasdhoo Atoll
• North Ari Atoll > Rasdhoo AtollThe combination of pelagic life and remarkable underwater landscapes in North Ari Atoll is irresistible. You may also dive on the beautiful reefs in Rasdhoo Atoll, observe the magnificent manta rays and experience a fascinating encounter with hammerhead. Drift among schools of fish while still keeping an eye on your preferred pelagic stars.
• Day 11: Mal Nord
• Mal NordIn North Mal Atoll you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific marine and reef life once again. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumale marina to spend your last night on board.
• Day 12: Hulhumal
• HulhumalThe trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange your transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day if you have a late flight. Various options are available ranging from snorkeling excursions and accommodation bookings.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

North Route

With around 1,200 islands, the Maldives offer exceptional dives with a wide range of underwater flora and fauna.

The North Route will take you to barely explored reefs, pelagic cleaning stations, colorful coral and anemone gardens in an exceptionally pristine ocean.

Experience the memorable interactions with a broad variety of marine life from manta rays, guitar sharks, leopard sharks, down to schools of brilliant small fish in this dream circuit.

• Day 1: Hulhumal
• HulhumalDune staff will pick you up at Mal International Airport and bring you to the main boat. Enjoy a drink while listening to our Cruise Director welcome briefing. Dinner will be served in the evening and you will spend the first night at Hulhumal marina.
• Day 2: North Mal Atoll > Lhaviyani Atoll
• North Mal Atoll > Lhaviyani AtollThe trip will start by discovering the dazzling long reefs and manta point of North Mal Atoll. At about 15 meters depth only, the sites offers the best conditions to observe manta rays. Marine life here is extremely diverse, some of the most beautiful pinnacles will give you exceptional and colorful memories.
• Day 3: Lhaviyani Atoll
• Lhaviyani AtollHere you will not find only wall dive, but also current swept channels that are full of sharks, including grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, and black tip reef sharks. Keep looking in the blue and you will often see tunas, barracudas, and eagle rays too. When night falls, you will be invited to go ashore and indulge yourself in the barbecue dinner prepared by our crew on a nearby desert island.
• Day 4: Lhaviyani Atoll > Baa Atoll
• Lhaviyani Atoll > Baa AtollTaking you back in time to the 80's, you will dive on two ships. One of them dramatically protrudes through the surface. Both wrecks are covered in hard and soft corals and full of fish life. Exploring Maldives is also setting foot in paradise. Our crew will lead a visit to the nearby local island just before dinner.
• Day 5: Baa Atoll
• Baa AtollBaa Atoll was declared a a UNESCO World Biosphere back in June 2011. Its amazing reefs of Baa offer a wide variety of marine life ranging from small fishes and turtles to the giant filter feeders, mantas and whale sharks. Walls and thilas full of hard and soft corals, plateaus, overhangs, pinnacles and swim throughs are all yours to explore.
• Day 6: Baa Atoll > North Mal Atoll
• Baa Atoll > North Mal AtollThe famous Hanifaru Bay, located on the eastern side of Baa Atoll, is one of the marine protected areas. From August to November, both whale sharks and manta rays aggregate here to devour the zooplankton blooms brought by the southwest monsoon. By regulation, only snorkeling is allowed here, but there are many fascinating dive sites for your delight just nearby.
• Day 7: North Mal Atoll
• North Mal AtollIn North Mal Atoll you will find stunning long reefs, small caves, colourful corals with prolific marine and reef life once again. Take a closer look at the squirrelfish, bannerfish, oriental sweetlips, frogfish, and nudibranchs. In the afternoon you will come back to Hulhumale marina to spend your last night on board.
• Day 8: Hulhumal
• HulhumalThe trip is arriving at the end. Our crew will arrange the transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule once you have had your breakfast on board. We are also glad to help you plan for the day if you have a late flight. Various options are available ranging from snorkeling excursions and booking for accommodations.
• Time to come back home with fantastic memories!

Practical Information

• Time Zone: UTC+5
• Local Currency: MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa)
• Language Spoken: English
• Electricity: 110 & 220 V
• Payment Onboard:Cash or Credit Card