11 nights

Duration

Max Group Size

Aug

Month

This Maldives Manta Research Expedition is arguably one of our most unique snorkel safaris in our growing catalogue of snorkeling adventures.

For this unique snorkel safari, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Manta Trust in the Maldives, to run an educational and hands on snorkeling research expedition centered around the manta rays in the Maldives. This expedition aims to offer a new way of experiencing the stunning marine environment of the Maldives. Accompanied by Manta Trust researchers with years of expertise in marine research and conservation, we will be able to immerse ourselves in the beautiful and diverse marine life of the Maldives while understanding its importance, its fragility and what we can do to protect it.

Through various engaging activities such as convivial presentations, photo-ID workshops, and island clean-ups, we can all become citizen scientists and contribute to the preservation of the fragile marine ecosystem of the Maldives. A researcher from Manta Trust will organize these activities to enhance our understanding of the beauty and importance of the marine environment, as well as our precious natural resources.

The itinerary is designed to provide a wide range of marine-themed experiences, including snorkeling on vibrant coral reefs and swimming with schools of giant manta rays, sharks, and curious sea turtles. Importantly, we maintain a flexible itinerary to maximize opportunities for unforgettable encounters with megafauna, utilizing real-time intel from Manta Trust’s on-site research team. This expedition is carefully timed to align with the most productive season and lunar currents, which significantly affect the movements and feeding habits of reef manta rays. The goal of these trips is to leverage the expertise of Manta Trust to locate feeding aggregations, allowing guests to marvel at the spectacle of being surrounded by these gentle giants during feeding frenzies.

*Please note that this particular itinerary covers a lot of territories and therefore may involve multiple overnight crossings between regions. This means we will be in the open sea and more exposed to the elements, particularly swell. If you have any reservations about what it’s like onboard a liveaboard, please get in touch with us. Please read this blog about what you can expect from a snorkel liveaboard experience such as this. Also note the engines and water purifiers can be heard while on liveaboard trips.

Marine Life Guide

This tour is partners with Manta Trust. Find our how we support Manta Trust via this tour here.

| Snorkel Venture — *Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to sea and weather conditions as well as marine life behavior*

Day 1 - Arrive in Male

On arrival in Male (MLE), you will check into our Male hotel and relax. This evening, there will be a group dinner where you’ll have a chance to meet the rest of the expedition members, as well as your Snorkel Venture Guide.

Day 2 - Board the Black Manta Liveaboard

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we will be met a member of the Black Manta team who will drive us the short distance to the port to the port where the Black Manta Liveaboard will be moored up. We will check-in, unpack, and relax before a full boat briefing as well as a brief overview of the following days itinerary. Time permitting, you may have the opportunity to do an afternoon snorkel on one of the nearby reefs.

Day 3 - 11 - Snorkeling From Black Manta

Each day begins with a “light” breakfast before starting a site briefing for our first snorkel session. From the Black Manta, we will board the boat’s dhoni, a classic Maldivian style tender boat, so we can be safely dropped in the shallows, or positioned well for the mantas. All the snorkel sessions have surface support by the large dhoni. This means you can jump on a dhoni and relax onboard if you prefer a shorter snorkel session. After our morning snorkel, we will return to the Black Manta and dry off. There will be dry towels waiting on the dive deck for us. We’ll then enjoy a hot breakfast.

After breakfast, we’ll dive back into the water for another exciting snorkel session at a nearby site. Once we return to the main boat, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch. After a short break to let our food digest, we’ll gear up for our third snorkel session of the day. Don’t worry—snacks and beverages will be available, so you won’t go hungry on this cruise! Depending on the day and what’s happening in the water, we might even be able to swim with feeding mantas a night as they come to feed to the plankton that are attracted to boat’s lights.

We intend to offer 3 snorkel sessions most days. You are not obliged to participate in them all.

On most evenings, the Marine Biologists from Manta Trust will host presentations and or workshops on a variety of subjects that center around manta rays, turtles, and reef ecology and conservation. They’ll also go over the days manta ID photos to check the results of the individual mantas we encountered on our snorkel sessions. On several occasions, we will also visit deserted islands where all are invited to help and collect any waste we happen to find on the island.

We have a rough itinerary which we intend to stick to, but being on a liveaboard means we have the luxury of being able to be flexible with things. Thus, when weather or sea conditions are unfavorable, we may make adjustments to the schedule. This means that we are always snorkeling in the best spots at the best possible times for not only weather, but also marine life.

Our itinerary will take us into the central Ari Atoll specifically to seek the magical experience of swimming with mantas by night and snorkel on some of its beautiful coral reefs teeming with life. Just north of Ari lies the small Rasdhoo Atoll, home to one of the first ever Marine Protected Areas of the country; the site of Rasdhoo Madivaru is renowned for its richness and diversity with great chances for encounters with reef sharks, giant Napoleon wrasses, and elegant eagle rays!

The next stop will be in Baa Atoll, a region that offers stunning and very diverse snorkeling and where reef manta rays can be found in large numbers on the many cleaning stations scattered throughout the area and at the chance to experience the feeding aggregations of the famous Hanifaru Bay. At this time of the year, manta rays aggregate here to feed in huge numbers, occasionally also accompanied by the largest fish on the planet, the whale shark! In this area we will also have the chance to snorkel on beautiful coral reefs and encounter many sea turtles, curious clownfish and much more!

Just north of Baa we will venture into Raa Atoll, a region hosting the second largest population of mantas in the country and hosting some stunning sites. Here we will be snorkeling on reefs filled with multicolored tropical reef fishes, schooling butterflyfishes and hawksbill turtles while seeking more encounters with manta rays.

Day 12 - Transfer to Male, Tour Ends

On our final morning, we’ll wake up in Male, where we’ll enjoy a final breakfast onboard. Thereafter, we’ll say farewell to our lovely Black Manta crew and Manta Trust team, and then transfer to the Male for our international flights back home. The expedition will finish here.

Please speak to a member of our team before booking any international flights.

The Black Manta Liveaboard

The liveaboard boat is 42 meters long and boasts a range of facilities designed for comfort, convenience and safety. The vessel features an indoor lounge with an entertainment system, offering a perfect space to relax between snorkels. The al fresco dining area allows us to enjoy meals while taking in stunning ocean views. For those seeking relaxation, the sundeck provides ample space for sunbathing, and massage services are available to enhance the onboard experience. Each cabin is equipped with individually controlled air-conditioning, private en-suite bathrooms with heated water showers, and ample storage space, ensuring a comfortable stay.

The boat features a cocktail lounge, an indoor entertainment lounge, and a camera station. The menu boasts delectable dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, with dietary accommodations available upon request.

Lower Deck Cabins:

These cabins are located on the lower deck. Each cabin is equipped with a twin bed that can be converted into a double bed, air-conditioning system, and an en-suite bathroom.

Main Deck Cabins:

These cabins are the only two cabins on the main deck. Each cabin is equipped with a double bed, an air-conditioning system, an en-suite bathroom.

Upper Deck Cabins:

These cabins are located on the upper deck. Each cabin is equipped with a twin bed that can be converted into a double bed, air-conditioning system, and an en-suite bathroom.

Vessel Guide

We will be reaching most of the snorkeling sites via a tender boat with a 150hp engine or the boat’s large dhoni, a classic Maldivian tender boat complete with toilet, full hard canopy, and plenty of space to store your dry goods. There is a ladder and the Black Manta crew are on hand to assist with water entry and exit. A certain level of fitness is required to climb the ladder – if you have any questions on this you can contact us here.

On this page you will find our Tour Dates & Pricing (see below contact form), a Booking Form and Details of Payment schedule including deposit and final balance. If you have any further questions please complete the form and we will reply within 24-48hrs.

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2027 Tour Dates

11 – 22 August

Tour Price:

Lower Deck Cabins – US $5,850 per person

Main Deck Cabins – US $6,250 per person

Upper Deck Cabins – US $6,350 per person

Single Person Supplement – US $2,000

2028 Tour Dates

15 – 26 August

Tour Price:

Lower Deck Cabins – US $6,250 per person

Main Deck Cabins – US $6,650 per person

Upper Deck Cabins – US $6,750 per person

Single Person Supplement – US $2,000

How to book your place:

Initial deposit to secure your booking is $800 per person

12 Months before departure interim deposit of $1000 per person

6 Months before departure interim deposit of $1000 per person

Balance due 3 months before departure

Please note for single supplement bookings we ask for 2x the deposit for each payment.

Inclusions:

1 night in a hotel in Male/Maldives with welcome dinner
Transfers from: Airport – Hotel – Liveaboard – Airport or Local Hotel
10 nights on board the Black Manta Liveaboard with 3 meals per day, afternoon snacks
Unlimited drinking water, tea, American coffee
2-3 snorkel sessions per day, depending on the day
Local snorkel guides
Manta Trust experts
Snorkel Venture Guide
Daily marine biology presentations/workshops
GST Tax included at 17%
Government Green Tax and all Marine Park Fees

Please note noise from the engines and water purifiers can be heard while on liveaboard trips.

Exclusions: