Destination: Maldives

Hanifaru Bay, Deep South and The Best of Maldives (7-15 nights) | From $379++/night

Moonima Quick Pitch

The Moonima is both a beautiful and luxurious liveaboard, perfect for exploring the Maldives. Enjoy classic dive safaris or other activities such as surfing or cruising. Managed by the Maldives Holiday Collections, this yacht is equipped with exceptional onboard facilities such as spacious cabins and ensuite bathrooms, a spacious lounge equipped with a 42-inch HD TV, and several dive tenders.

Dive Overview

The Maldives is a veritable scuba diving paradise, with its clear blue water, white sand beaches, and amazing visibility. In the Maldives, divers get to see manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, soft & hard corals, and much more.

[See: Maldives Dive Travel Guide]

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Accommodations

Types of Cabins, Amenities and Photos

MOONIMA Cabin Overview

The Moonima has a total of 10 cabins - four Sea View Suites and six Standard Cabins. The Sea View Suites can are located on the top deck, while the Standard Cabins are located on the lower deck. Four of the Standard Cabins are equipped with a double bed and a single bed while the remaining cabins are equipped with a queen-sized bed. Each cabin is fully airconditioned and comes complete with an ensuite bathroom.

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General Facilities

Bar & Outdoor Lounge Area

Sundeck & Indoor Lounge

MOONIMA Boat Features

• Air-conditioning
• Restaurant and bar
• Sun beds
• Television
• Library
• English socket
• Multimedia library and board games

Food & Drinks Aboard the MOONIMA

Mouth-watering cuisine with international dishes (Maldivian, Asian, European) is served in the air-conditioned restaurant located on the main deck. Vegetarian dishes are available upon request. Also located on the main deck is the bar, where a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available.

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Schedule & Rates

Moonima Schedule & Rates

 All prices are in USD and do not include taxes.

See also: [Inclusions & Exclusions]

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Inclusions

• Accommodation
• Government Tax
• Full board (3 meals)
• 3 dives per day (depending on the weather conditions)
• Coffee and Tea, with snacks after dives
• Mineral Water (500ml) per person per dive
• Unlimited Water
• Tanks and weights
• Unlimited Tea and Coffee
• Island Hopping 
• Handline Fishing 
• Dive Instructor (PADI certified), and 1 Dive Guide (PADI Certified)
• BBQ dinner on sandy beach OR, on a deserted Island, depending on weather conditions).
• Arrange a free airport guide upon arrival & departure
• Transfer (Airport – Boat – Airport)

Exclusions

• Fuel Surcharge (per person per week): Deep South USD 156; South Central/Laamu USD 90; North of Maldives USD 156
• Port and Marine Park fees
• Tips for Crew (USD 70 to 100 per guest) 
• Alcoholic Drinks & Soft Drinks 
• Domestic flights if required for Deep South / South Central or North of Maldives 
• Nitrox (USD 100 to 150 per person per week)
• Surcharge for 'Tiger Zoo'  (Deep South): USD 30 per person

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Other Dates & Availability

For more information on other departure dates that are not listed above and on availability email us at info@bluewaterdivetravel.com or call us at +1-310-915-6677 and we will gladly help you plan your dream dive vacation!

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Dive Information & Itineraries

STANDARD ROUTE - BEST OF MALDIVES

• 
• Duration: 5 Days 4 Nights OR 8 Days 7 Nights
• The 7 nights itinerary will include the route from: North Male' - South Male' - Vaavu - Ari 
• The 4 nights or 5 nights itinerary will include the route from: North Male' - Ari Atoll  
• Number of dives: 3 dives a day & 1-night dive a week
• Sample Dive Itinerary (7 Nights)
• Day 1 – Saturday – Arrival And Departure Day
• Maldives Holiday Collections Airport staff will receive and welcome you at Velanaa International Airport.  They will guide you to the boat for boarding where you will be welcomed with refreshments. General briefing of the boat will be provided on arrival. Dinner will be served in the evening as soon as the guests are settled in.
• The boat will set sail to the first Dive site in the first light of sunrise
• Day 2 – Sunday – North Male > Vaavu Atoll
• The ‘Check Dive’ or the first dive of the trip starts on ‘Maagiri’ dive site which is more of a warming up for the upcoming amazing dives our guests will get to experience.
• The Dives points mentioned below are home to plenty of reef fishes and sharks and an occasional view of rays.
• Dive 1 – Maagiri
• Dive 2 – Embudhoo Express
• Dive 3 –  Kandooma/Guraidhoo
• Dive 4 –  Alimatha Night Dive
• The last dip of the day will be in ‘Alimatha’ where the boat will anchor for the night and prepare for the next day to start on sail for the next diving stops.
• Day 3 – Monday – Vaavu Atoll > Ari Atoll
• Ari Atoll is a definite ‘must to’ with gorgeous dive points which let you enhance your beautiful Maldivian Diving Story. Where rays and sharks are present regardless of the directions of the current. This is one of the favorites of many underwater photographers promising to give breathtaking pictures of the underwater scenery, from big to small creatures of corals.
• Dive 1 – Miyaru Kandu/Dhevana Kandu
• Dive 2 – Vilamendhoo
• Dive 3 –  5 Rocks
• The last dip of the day will be in ‘5 Rocks’, and the boat will anchor near ‘Dhangethi or Dhigurah’ for the night.
• Day 4 – Tuesday – South Ari Atoll
• The main highlight of the day is searching for the presence of a whale shark. Once we locate the Whale Shark, we will allow you a chance to snorkel or even Scuba with them. Occasionally, if you are lucky, you just might be able to spot a whale shark during dives in ‘Maamiligi or Dhigurah’
• Dive 1 – Kuda rah thila
• Dive 2 – Maamigili beyru (whale Shark)
• Dive 3 – Whale Shark Dive (Dive site may change)
• The boat will anchor near ‘Maamigili’ for the night.
• Day 5 – Wednesday – South Ari To Central Ari Atoll
• With a depth of around 12 to 16 meters, Panathone is a famous manta site with a high possibility of manta feed sighting outside the atoll during the outgoing current. During incoming currents on the ridge of the atoll, you’ll see what is known as the “Shark City” and dozens of big grey reef sharks mesmerizing your every thought and after dozens of dives our staff will invite you to a BBQ dinner
• Dive 1 – Rangali Manta
• Dive 2 – Rai Dhiga
• Dive 3 – Panathone
• BBQ in ‘Embudhoo’ is optional after dives if you like to have relaxed evening on the beach of a secluded island. Our staff will arrange it accordingly.
• The boat will anchor near the desert island for the night.
• Day 6 – Thursday – Central Ari Atoll To North Ari Atoll
• Discover numerous Manta Cleaning Stations, extraordinary pinnacle – rich with marine life. Eagle rays, hawks-bill turtles, napoleon wrasse, school blue striped snappers, bat fish, and fusiliers are some of the creatures you’ll be able to sight and conclude with a night manta show.
• Dive 1 – Moofushi Manta Point
• Dive 2 – Himandhoo Thila
• Dive 3 – Mayaa Thila
• Dive 4 – Night Manta Fesdu/Mayaa Thila
• The boat will anchor near the ‘Fesdu’ for the night.
• Day 7 – Friday – Ari Atoll To Kaafu Atoll
• Watch the beautiful movement of large schools of grey reef sharks big schools of snappers, jack fishers, fusiliers, barracuda, and dogtooth tunas at Bathala Maagau. Fish head is a wonderful place to view schools of fish and a variety of other marine life. If time permits, the last dive at Fish Tank will give amazing movements of fish life, especially guitar sharks and rays – Eels are the stars of the show.
• Dive 1 – Bathala Maagau / Fish Head
• Dive 2 –Bathala Maagau / Fish Head
• Dive 3 – Fish Tank (Kaafu) / Kuda haa
• The boat will anchor near ‘Kurumba’ for the night.
• Day 8 – Departure
• Our amazing crew will assist you in cleaning and washing your dive equipment and help you with packing if required. They will guide you through a domestic flight to your International Flight checking. The Team is guaranteed to provide assistance throughout your trip until the very last moment at the Maldives.
• Itinerary may change anytime according to weather conditions, last-minute requests & other issues.

DEEP SOUTH MALDIVES

• Day 1 – Saturday – Arrival
• You will be greeted by our Airport staff at Velana International Airport. Information regarding your Domestic flight to Kooddoo / Kaadehdhoo will be provided and our staff will assist you in checking for the domestic. Our dive guide and captain will receive you from Huvadhoo Atoll airport will direct you to the boat. After being settled down, our boat crew will provide a detailed trip itinerary, as well as the dives. Following will be a check dive. When
• At anchorage, you can choose to do as much or as little as you please. Options include snorkeling and swimming, fishing, or just relaxing.
• Dive  –  Check Dive
• Day 2 – Sunday – Kooddoo & Whale Shark Point
• On the first day of the trip, you get to experience all the little things that the Maldives has to offer. Through various channel dives, you are to sight Mantas, Sharks, Whale Sharks, School of Barracudas, Eagle rays, School of jacks, as well as turtles on the sandy bottom among many more.
• Dive 1 – Villingili
• Dive 2 – Kooddoo Kandu
• Dive 3 – Kooddoo Spinner Point
• Anchor – Near Bodu Whale Shark Point
• Day 3 – Monday – Kurehdhoo, Nilandhoo Kandu And Dhandhoo Kandu
• Day 3 is definitely the best day to experience and savor the full effect of the greatest channel dives in the region. These dives are best undertaken by Expert Divers. These locations are well known for their exquisite pelagic aquatic scenery.
• Day 1 – Kurehdhoo Kandu
• Day 2 – Nilandhoo Kandu
• Day 3 – Dhandhoo Kandu
• Possible to go Boodu
• Day 4 – Tuesday – Maareha & Kondey
• With the first ray of light, we head to Maareha Kandu, kondey kandu, and Kondey Coral Gardens which are dive spots with plenty of marine life to discover.  Offers impressive diving conditions, with dozens of grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and many species of fish.
• Dive 1 – Maareha Kandu
• Dive 2 – Kondey Kandu
• Dive 3 – Kondey Coral Gardens
• Anchor Kondey
• Day 5 – Wednesday – Gemanafushi
• The first stop will be Gemanafushi Canyon which is largely known for hammerheads and other varieties of fish. This is locally acclaimed as one of the favorite dive sites in the atoll for the most recognizable shark species, Hammerheads.
• Dive 1 – Gemanafushi Canyon
• Dive 2 – Gemanafushi Kandu
• Dive 3 – Gemnafushi Coral Land
• Anchor near Gemanafushi
• Day 6 – Thursday – Close To Equator Line & Fuvahmulah
• Fuvahmulah is one of the main highlights of a Deep South trip. The quality of the diving isn’t affected by the seasonal changes. As each and every dive is equally unique and a challenging experience. The real treasure you could find in this area is the Thresher Shark. However, other shark species such as Reef Sharks, Tiger Sharks, Hammerheads, and Silver Tips also reside in the location. And if you are just lucky enough, you might spot the world’s heaviest bony fish – MOLA MOLAS. The list is really endless.
• Dive 1 – Fuvahmulah South Corner
• Dive 2 – North End of Mantas
• Anchor near Fuvahmulah
• Day 7 – Friday – Addu
• The first dive of the day starts at Maakandu, home to stunning coral formations of soft corals and its extravagant marine life. Following, the second dive for the day will be on a British Loyalty wreck site.
• Dive 1 – Maakandu
• Dive 2 – British Loyalty Wreck
• Anchor near Addu
• Day 8 – Departure
• After breakfast, our boat crew will lend a hand in cleaning Diving Equipment as well as packing if it's required. Then the guests will be dropped off and guided to catch the domestic flight. Upon arrival at Velaana International Airport, our airport staff at Velaanaa International Airport will receive the guests and guide you to catch your international flight. Our Team is guaranteed to provide assistance throughout your trip until the very last moment at the Maldives.
• Itinerary may change anytime according to weather conditions, last-minute requests & other issues

HANIFARU BAY

Hanifaru Bay is a marine protected uninhabited island located in the Baa Atoll of the Maldives Islands. Its size is no greater than that of a football field and yet it has become one of the hottest spots for underwater photographers. The reason for this modern-day phenomenon of underwater diversity is because plankton blooms between the months of May and November – a very unusual phenomenon – attracting manta rays by the hundreds. At any one time at Hanifaru Bay, there can be up to 200 manta rays feeding off the coral reefs as well as plenty of whale sharks that do the same! Hanifaru Bay has become the world’s largest manta ray feeding destinations.

PLEASE NOTE: From January 2012 scuba diving is not permitted in Hanifaru Bay, however, you will be able to snorkel in this area for a $20 fee (per person for approx. 45mins).

• Day 1 – Saturday – Arrival
• You will be greeted by our Airport staff at Velana International Airport. They will guide you to the boat for boarding where you will be welcomed with refreshments. General briefing of the boat and diving will be provided by the boat crew. The boat will set sail to the first Dive site.
• Day 2 – Sunday – North Male’ Atoll and Baa Atolls
• Day 3 – Monday – Baa Atoll / Hanifaru Bay Area
• Day 4 – Tuesday – Baa Atoll / Hanifaru Bay Area / Cross to Rasdhoo
• Day 5 – Dive Rasdhoo and North Ari Atoll / Grey Reef Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks
• Day 6 – North Ari Atoll / Mantas and night dive on the famous Maaya Thila
• Day 7 – North Male Atoll / Manta Point / Afternoon tour of Male’ City
• Day 8 – Departure

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Other Information

Boat Specifications 

• Vessel: Wooden Hull (Tholan Timber with upper water linefully laminated with polished fiberglass
• Year Built: 2005 / Refurbished: 2020
• Length: 30m 
• Cabins: 10
• Pax: 16-22
• Speed: 12kn
• Propulsion: Volvo 380 CV
• Capacity:  6000 liters 
• Desalinator: 10,000 litres per day
• Navigation & Communication: Samyung 36 miles marine radar system, Eco sounder, Compass, map, Fish Finder, GPS, CB Radio, mobile phones, internet, search light, binoculars
• Power: Genset 2 x HMG-70H

Practical Information 

• Time Zone: UTC+5
• Local Currency: MVR (Maldivian Rufiyaa)
• Language Spoken: English
• Payment Onboard: Cash (EUR/USD)

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Underwater Gallery 

Best of Maldives

Deep South

Hanifaru Bay

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