Project Shark: Central Atolls (Malé - Malé)
Departure
Malé
Malé (MLE)
Return
Malé
Malé Intl (MLE)
7 Nights
Approx. 20 Dives
Certified to dive to a depth of 30 meters and comfortable with diving in medium to strong currents.
Itinerary Highlights
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Don’t miss the chance to join a shark adventure in the Maldives. Dr. Elke Bojanowski, founder and director of Red Sea Sharks will guide underwater enthusiasts to the world of these apex predators, collecting important data for their conservation.
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This trip will offer you the opportunity to swim in an underwater paradise, inhabited by coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins and pelagic fish!
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ive pristine reefs, explore beautiful caves and overhangs covered with soft corals, colorful sponges, invertebrates and gorgonian fans, and experience thrilling shark dives in some of the best areas to see hammerheads and grey reef sharks.
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Many cleaning stations where cleaning wrasses and shrimps help to clean the skin of the larger animals such as sharks and manta rays.
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Drift dives & negative entries required
Program Sample
The week will involve close encounters with sharks, manta rays and whale sharks (although these sightings cannot be guaranteed!) with the possibility to observe them in their natural habitat and donate vital information to local Maldivian marine research organisations.
You will be joined on board for the duration of the safari by our experienced blue o two Project Shark trip host, Dr Elke Bojanowski. Project Shark is delivered by our resident marine biologist Dr Elke Bojanowski, who will conduct seminars giving divers the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the biology and behaviour of sharks. There will also be a chance to learn about globally endangered marine species and what as divers we can do to aid their protection.
Founder of the 'Red Sea Sharks Trust', experienced dive guide and marine biologist, Elke Bojanowski Ph.D, began the Longimanus Project in October 2004 and since this date she has been actively collecting underwater photographs and video-clips of Oceanic Whitetip Sharks for catalogue, review and analysis. Since 2012 the project has expanded to become Red Sea Sharks (www.redseasharks.org) and increased its scope to include Grey Reef and Silky Shark catalogues and monitoring for many shark species.
Our planned dive guide for this trip is Dr Elke Bojanowski. However, if for any reason Elke is unavailable to host this trip due to circumstances outside of our control, we will provide you with an alternative, suitably qualified and experienced dive guide. For the avoidance of doubt, any change in dive guide does not give you the right to amend, change or cancel your holiday, and any changes made will be subject to our normal terms and conditions."
The diving day has a typical schedule as follows:
• 06:30 - Tea, coffee and biscuits
• 07:00 - Dive 1 followed by full breakfast
• 11:00 - Dive 2 followed by lunch
• 15:00 - Dive 3 followed by homemade cakes and snacks
• 19:30 - Dinner
Itinerary Description
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Safety Briefing, Crew Introduction, Necessary Dive Paperwork, Cabin allocation and ship orientation will take place before departing the Harbor.
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During the journey to our first dive site for a check dive, please take this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the vessel and make yourself comfortable.
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Please Note: This is a sample itinerary and nº of dives, dive sites, etc. may be subject to change due to weather conditions and other unforeseeable factors.
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Learn about the biology and behavior of sharks and manta rays within the Maldives collecting data and species identification.
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Learn about globally endangered marine species and what we can do as divers to ensure their protection.
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Identify specific manta ray individuals which directly contributes to Manta Trust research.
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Experience potential close encounters with sharks, manta rays and whale sharks.
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During this trip, you will be able to play a part in adding to valuable research efforts by the 'Manta Trust' who work towards the conservation of manta rays worldwide.
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Throughout the week, you will record your sightings for identification and submit them to existing Maldivian marine life charities, including The Manta Trust.
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Our planned dive guide for this trip is Dr Elke Bojanowski. However, if for any reason Elke is unavailable to host this trip due to circumstances outside of our control, we will provide you with an alternative, suitably qualified and experienced dive guide.
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For the avoidance of doubt, any change in dive guide does not give you the right to amend, change or cancel your holiday, and any changes made will be subject to our normal terms and conditions."
Dive Sites
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Guraidhoo Kandu South: Since the eastern side of the channel is open ocean, large predatory fish can regularly be spotted here. This site is famous for sightings of sharks, schools of eagle rays and the occasional sail fish and hammerheads. The best condition to do the dive is when the current is flowing into the atoll. The dive begins on the outer reef following the current into the atoll. Most of the pelagic species can be observed on the eastern side, where the reef drops off into the deep ocean. At the end of the dive in the channel, along the reef you can find overhangs with plenty of soft coral growth and small fish.
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Rangali Madivaru: Madi means "ray" in Dhivehi. Between the months of December and April this is a superb manta ray cleaning station. As with many good manta points, the reef slopes down gently from its top at 8m (25ft) to the atoll floor at 30m (100ft). Although there are many cleaning stations along this 1km reef, the area where the mantas are most active is midway along the northern side. A deep basin, almost 100m (110yd) across has formed in the coral and as the currents flow out of the atoll, the waters eddy in the basin. This attracts the mantas, which hover gracefully in the current.
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Maluku Kandu: The north east is peppered with submerged pinnacles covered predominantly in soft corals, whilst the west will see you surrounded by jacks and snappers. Keep an eye open for sharks and rays at 30m!
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Unfortunately our trip has come to an end and we have to say goodbye, but we hope to see you again soon!
Please note: the itinerary above is an example of the planned route and dive sites cannot be guaranteed. All dive sites are subject to weather conditions and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides.