The ideal itinerary to see a little bit of everything, with the added bonus of the opportunity to visit the famous Hanifaru Bay - one of the world's top feeding spots for manta rays. Perfect for your first visit to the Maldives.

QUALIFICATION NEEDED: PADI Open water or equivalent - no minimum number of logged dives required however this itinerary might be suited to the more experienced diver.

Itinerary highlights:

**PLEASE NOTE** the dive sites below are just an example of the route taken and are not guaranteed. Current local laws will dictate the amount of time spent at any one dive site. All dives sites are subject to weather conditions and local seasonal knowledge and the final route taken is at the absolute discretion of the captain and dive guides.

Orimas Thila - Noonu: Although sharks are not usually the highlight of the northern itineraries, Orimas Thila is an exception to the rule. Here, grey reef sharks can be observed circling and wriggling whilst they are being cleaned. The best spot to view them from is down-current either on the sandy bottom or from a ledge out of sight, kneeling or using a reef hook if the current is running.

Lhaviyani: Excellent channel diving in the north with sites closely located together. Lhaviyani Atoll hosts some of the Maldives wreck diving opportunities, including the two coral encrusted wrecks at 'The Shipyard' and the exhilarating drift dive of the Kuredu Express. A site for the more experienced diver.

Hanifaru Bay - Baa: 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 on the planet 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 which do the same! Hanifaru Bay has become the world's largest manta ray feeding destinations.

PLEASE NOTE: Since 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).