Ari Atoll Dive Experience

Day-to-day itinerary

• Day 1

  Depart the UK for the Maldives

  There are numerous flight options from the UK to the Maldives, with regional options available. Most commonly, your flights will connect en-route, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha. Direct flight options exist from London only, with British Airways.

• Day 2

  Enjoy your first taste of the Maldives

  After your arrival to the Maldives Velana International Airport, your journey will continue to the Ari Atoll. A short seaplane journey represents the most thrilling way to reach your destination as you fly over the islands and atolls of the Maldives, but domestic flight and speedboat options are also available (depending on resort).

  Once at your chosen resort, its time to settle into your new surroundings, feel the sand between your toes, relax and recover from your journey.
  
  A perennial favourite with Regaldive clients, Vilamendhoo Island Resort in the South Ari Atoll offers easy access to the dive sites of both the east and west side of the atolls, with over 40 dive sites possible, plus a superb house reef and excellent on-site dive centre. It’s a great base from which to enjoy all of the marine life highlights of the area.

  Those looking for a local island experience, Boutique Beach Resort is an excellent choice and is perfectly placed tp catch the action at the southern tip of the South Ari Atoll. Cinnamon Ellaidhoo Resort in the North Ari Atoll is also a superb base for divers, offering access to 45 dive sites.

  A full board meal plan is typically included in your hotel stay, with options to upgrade to all inclusive.

• Day 3

  Dive the Maldives!

  Its time to don your fins and enter the water today! Typically, a first dive will be a check dive to assess your skill level and get your dive gear set up just how you want it. If you have not dived for six months or more, a Scuba Refresher is required.

  Your resort-based diving package will be based on house reef diving, with local supplements for boat dives. Enjoy a package of 10 dives during your stay, or upgrade to 15 dives for even more time in the water.

  More experienced divers can also enjoy a 6-day diving package, making up to four dives per day including early morning dives and night dives. Nitrox is complimentary at Vilamendhoo Island Resort, Cinnamon Ellaidhoo and Boutique Beach Resort.

  Diving options are based on Vilamendhoo island Resort, packages may differ depending on your choice of resort.

• Days 4-7

  Dive and search for manta rays or whale sharks!

  Your diving adventure continues over the following days as you explore all that this region has to offer. While it is possible to stay on the house reef, we recommend upgrading to boat dives to fully appreciate the region’s best dive sites, and for the chance to encounter manta rays and whale sharks.
  
  Reef manta rays can be found around the Ari Atolls throughout the year. During the north-east monsoon season, from December to April, they tend to gather on the western side of the atoll, while from May to November, during the south-east monsoon season, they tend to gather on the eastern side. Sightings are consistent throughout the year. The period from May to November brings the best savings, but some wetter conditions, while the period from December to April offers the best weather and highest chance of calm seas.

  Whale sharks can also be seen year round, however sightings are significantly better between December and March. During this period, the flatter seas tend to make sightings more easy as whale sharks are usually spotted from the surface prior to a dive or snorkel.

• Day 8

  Enjoy your final day in the Maldives

  Depending on your diving package, there may be opportunity for a little more diving this morning. Then it is time to dry your gear, soak up the sun and enjoy your final day in the beautiful Maldivian atolls.

• Day 9

  Depart the Maldives

  Its time to say goodbye to your remote tropical island and head for home. Return to the international airport in Malé today by seaplane, domestic flight or speedboat, and pick up your international flight.

  Depending on your flight schedule, you’ll either arrive back to the UK later today, or tomorrow morning.