2023 SOLD OUT !
2024 DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
DIVE THE DEEP SOUTH MALDIVES WITH MMF
Dive the Deep South of the Maldives with MMF
Bring on the adventure to the Maldives’ little-known southern atolls, dubbed the “Galapagos of the East.” Incredibly healthy coral reefs form the backdrop to a bucket list of megafauna encounters. Join MMF’s Founders and Principal Scientists Dr. Andrea Marshall and Dr. Simon Pierce, and other MMF researchers and conservationists on this exciting expedition. This expedition can take a maximum of 20 guests. All prices are in USD per guest and based on double occupancy.
Trip Highlights
Dive the Deep South Maldivian atolls on the spacious and contemporary Serenity from the award-winning Emperor Fleet who have extensive experience running trips to the southern Maldivian atolls.
Hosted by MMF Founders – ‘Queen of Mantas’ Dr. Andrea Marshall, world-renowned shark biologist Dr. Simon J Pierce, along with Senior Scientist and manta expert, Dr. Elitza Germanov.
Get to know MMF’s marine conservation efforts.
Expert underwater photography guidance and dedicated camera station.
Maldives trip details.
Date
22 January – 01 February 2023
Price per person
King Cabins: $4,550 (4 cabins)
Double Cabins: $4,150 (1 cabin)
Double/Twin Cabins: $4,150 (6 cabins)
MMF Hosts
Dr. Andrea Marshall, Dr. Simon J Pierce and Dr. Elitza Germanov.
Dive Highlights
The southern Maldivian atolls, dubbed 'the Galapagos of the East', have been awarded UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status. These remote, vibrant coral atolls are teeming with reef fish, sunfish, and sharks are abundant. We may see adult whale sharks, great hammerheads, silky sharks, silvertip sharks, bull sharks, and both manta ray species – it's a true 'marine megafauna' trip!
Includes
> 11 day / 10 night liveaboard cruise on the Emperor Serenity
> Up to four dives per day
> All meals and snacks, every day
> Tea, coffee, water, and a glass of wine complimentary with dinner
> Tanks, weights, belts, and guide
> Nitrox
> Boat transfer
> Taxes, service fees, including “Green Tax”
> Presentations from Dr. Andrea Marshall, Dr. Simon Pierce, and Dr. Elitza Germanov.
Excludes
> International flights and internal flights from Male
> Onshore accommodation (if necessary)
> Dive courses (Advanced or NITROX)
> Dive gear rental *
> Specialized Tiger Shark encounter **
> On-board massages and spa treatments
> Alcohol and soft drinks
> Use of on-board wifi and satellite phone (available for a fee)
> Encouraged gratuity
> Travel insurance ***
Enquire now
Dive Highlights
Your 11 day/10 night expedition will visit the best southern dive sites in the region with ample time to explore the manta ray cleaning stations south of the equator in Addu, the famed pelagic magnet that is Fuvahmulah atoll, to the sharky waters in and around Huvadhoo.
The southern Maldivian atolls, dubbed 'the Galapagos of the East', have been awarded UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status. These remote, vibrant coral atolls are teeming with reef fish, sunfish, and sharks are abundant. We may see adult whale sharks, great hammerheads, silky sharks, silvertip sharks, bull sharks, and both manta ray species – it's a true 'marine megafauna' trip!
Your guides to the Deep South, Maldives.
We aim to showcase the diversity of life and ecosystems within these seascapes while heightening your experience with our scientific insights.
DR. SIMON PIERCE
Dr. Pierce founded MMF’s flagship research program on whale sharks, and is a world expert on the species. Simon works globally on whale shark conservation issues, and led the most recent IUCN Red List assessment that classified whale sharks as endangered. He is also a scientific advisor to the online global whale shark database, and regional co-chair of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group.
DR. ANDREA MARSHALL
Dr. Marshall was the first person in the world to complete a PhD on manta rays. After her thesis, she stayed in Mozambique to spearhead the conservation of manta rays in the region and around the world. She is the lead author of the IUCN’s Red List assessments for both species of manta rays and is a member of the IUCN Shark Specialist Group. Andrea featured in the BBC Natural World documentary ‘Andrea: Queen of Mantas’ as well as the broadcaster’s award-winning trilogy ‘Sharks.’ In 2013, she was inducted into the ranks of National Geographic’s Explorers as an Emerging Explorer in recognition of her efforts to protect these threatened rays.
DR. ELITZA GERMANOV
Dr. Germanov started MMF's work looking into the harm of plastics – particularly microplastics – on manta rays and whale sharks. Her work has been focused within the coral triangle in the Philippines and Indonesia. She has resided in Indonesia for the past 10 years clocking 100s of dives in the biodiverse waters. She is also the scientific advisor to Yayasan Megafauna Laut, an Indonesia registered charity concerned with studying megafauna populations, their health and their impact from anthropogenic threats.
The Emperor Serenity
From the award-winning Emperor Fleet.
The contemporary and spacious 40m MV Emperor Serenity boasts extensive experience in the south.
Dive amenities include a spacious dive support vessel ‘dhoni’ used to deliver divers to the dive sites under the care of four dive guides. The dhoni is equipped with air and NITROX compressors taking the dive clutter and noise away from the mother ship and limiting those forgetful dive tender moments. There are dedicated rinse tanks, a camera table, and stations for charging and drying air guns for the photographers.
The mother ship, Emperor Serenity, features 13 roomy private bathroom and shower en suite cabins, individually climate controlled to your preference, with either king or double/single bed configurations. Five cabins are above deck, while others offer classic porthole views. There are several indoor and outdoor lounge areas, a large dining area, a TV entertainment area, a library, a spa, and a full-service bar that allow you to be as sociable as you wish. A partially shaded large sundeck is perfect for sundowners, stargazing, or early morning yoga (mats provided).
A highly attentive crew of 10 is on hand to ensure guest comfort and satisfaction, including special dietary requirements.
This leisure vessel was carefully crafted for our cruise by Ultimate Yachts, leaders in yachting as the perfect fit for our ambitious itinerary.
Emperor Serenity, with her dive vessel.
Lounge
Stern platform & decks
Dining
Dive vessel
Sun deck
King Cabin
Double Cabin
Twin Cabin
Maldives trip details.
Date
22 January – 01 February 2023
Price per person
King Cabins: $4,550 (4 cabins)
Double Cabins: $4,150 (1 cabin)
Double/Twin Cabins: $4,150 (6 cabins)
MMF Hosts
Dr. Andrea Marshall, Dr. Simon J Pierce and Dr. Elitza Germanov.
Dive Highlights
The southern Maldivian atolls, dubbed 'the Galapagos of the East', have been awarded UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status. These remote, vibrant coral atolls are teeming with reef fish, sunfish, and sharks are abundant. We may see adult whale sharks, great hammerheads, silky sharks, silvertip sharks, bull sharks, and both manta ray species – it's a true 'marine megafauna' trip!
Includes
> 11 day / 10 night liveaboard cruise on the Emperor Serenity
> Up to four dives per day
> All meals and snacks, every day
> Tea, coffee, water, and a glass of wine complimentary with dinner
> Tanks, weights, belts, and guide
> Nitrox
> Boat transfer
> Taxes, service fees, including “Green Tax”
> Presentations from Dr. Andrea Marshall, Dr. Simon Pierce, and Dr. Elitza Germanov.
Excludes
> International flights and internal flights from Male
> Onshore accommodation (if necessary)
> Dive courses (Advanced or NITROX)
> Dive gear rental *
> Specialized Tiger Shark encounter **
> On-board massages and spa treatments
> Alcohol and soft drinks
> Use of on-board wifi and satellite phone (available for a fee)
> Encouraged gratuity
> Travel insurance ***
Enquire now
See the FAQ’s
