BAA ATOLL, MALDIVES

Trip 1: August 9th - 15th, 2025. (7 days/6 nights/10+ dives)
Trip 2: August 12th - 17th, 2025 (6 days/5 nights/10+ dives)

You could spend years diving in the Maldives. But if you must plan one trip, and one trip only – you have got to consider Baa Atoll!

 

Known to host the largest aggregation of manta ray feeding stations in the world, this is a bucket list destination with a chance to swim with hundreds of mantas, some whale sharks, and the friendliest turtles we have come across in the Maldives.

In addition, you get all the other attributes that make this region so popular with both divers and snorkelers alike:  easy access, crystal clear waters and a thriving reef ecosystem with plenty of colorful corals, fish as well as turtles, sharks and more.

Overview

Baa Atoll has 75 islands, with 13 being inhabited, and is away from some of the busier atolls of the south, which helps it retain a sense of peaceful calm.   The real draw is the significantly distinct and healthy reef system teeming with soft and hard. corals, as well as one of the largest turtle populations in the Maldives, including the hawksbill and green turtles.

 

We are going for the manta aggregation – so no surprises what the highlight of the trip is expected to be.  However, if Poseidon blesses us, we can also expect to see sharks, turtles, dolphins and possibly whale sharks as well – and of course, all the regular denizens of the reefs.

 

This trip includes 2 excursions to the famed Hanifaru Bay (aka Vandhumaafru Adi) for snorkelling with manta rays.   Diving has been prohibited at Baa Atoll, which was declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2011 but even the snorkelling is an incredible experience!    


And the fact that this is snorkelling makes it easily accessible to non-diving friends and family members who also want to experience the magic of the ocean.   As with all our trips, an experienced full-time dive profession from Bangalore Scuba will be on hand to help with logistics and provide assistance as needed.

TRIP 1:   AUGUST 9-15, 2025
  • Aug 9:   Arrive in Male and transfer to Dharavandhoo island via domestic flight or speed boat, and check in
  • Aug 10:  2 dives
  • Aug 11:  2 dives + snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay
  • Aug 12: 2 dives + snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay
  • Aug 13: 2 dives
  • Aug 14:  2 dives
  • Aug 15:  Checkout and transfer back to Male via domestic flight or speedboat
TRIP 2:   AUGUST 12-17, 2025
  • Aug 12:   Arrive in Male and transfer to Dharavandhoo island via domestic flight or speed boat, and check in
  • Aug 13:  3 dives
  • Aug 14:  2 dives + snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay
  • Aug 15: 2 dives + snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay
  • Aug 16: 3 dives
  • Aug 17:  Checkout and transfer back to Male via domestic flight or speedboat

Baa Atoll has a significantly distinct and healthy reef system teeming with soft and hard. corals, as well as one of the largest turtle populations in the Maldives, including the hawksbill and green turtles.   Based on our experience in diving here over the past years, most of the diving will be concentrated on the eastern parts and inner reefs of the atolls to shelter from the open seas to the west.   So the strong channel currents that the Maldives are famous for are somewhat rare in Baa, and you will spend more time diving the thilas (pinnacles).

 

 

Out of the 60+ sites of the region, some of the highlight sites are Dhonfanu Thila, Yellow Wall, Dhigali Thila (one of the legendary sites of the Maldives, known for its canyons and overhangs), Dharavandhoo Thila, Anga Faru (for sharks), Nelivaru Haa (manta cleaning station), Milaidhoo Wall, Christmas Tree and the Blue Hole.

 

 

And oh yes… did we mention manta rays?

 

 

 

We have planned the itinerary to visit some of the best sites of the atoll – the itinerary has 10 dives with each dive being guided, and group sizes adjusted based on experience/abilities of the divers.

 

 

This trip is suitable for certified divers of all levels.     Divers can also use the dives to pursue specialty training or do an Advanced course – a great way to level up your skills and have great sightings.

We have chosen to be based out of Dharavandhoo island in Baa Atoll.   It is 116km from Male, and has approximately 1000 residents.

 

Accommodation is on twin/double sharing basis in a boutique, family-run guesthouse that has an in-house restaurant and outdoor veranda, ideal for post-dive socialising and shenanigans.

 

 

 

All rooms have en-suite facilities, aircons, free Wifi, free bottled water, free tea and coffee and a fridge.

 

Breakfast is included with the stay, and as with all our Maldives trips, we generally go explore other restaurants on the island for lunch and dinner.   The average cost of a meal with a beverage is $8-15 – please bring sufficient USD cash.

Male is accessible by a wide range of flights, with especially easy access from Bangalore and Bombay.  

 

Arrivals:

For guests planning to take the flight to Dharavandhoo – please make sure you reach Male before 3:30pm on the day of arrival.   For guests taking the speedboat to Dharavandhoo, please reach Male before 11:30pm on the day of arrival.

 

Departures:

For departures, please factor in a suitable no-fly time when booking your return tickets.

We recommend you contact us to confirm the suitability of the flight times before booking, or if you need a separate transfer.

 

Visas:

Maldives has visa on arrival.    You will need one month’s validity on your passport, and a complete itinerary with confirmed return tickets and a prepaid confirmed hotel booking at a registered hotel.   You will also need to submit the Maldives IMUGA travel declaration within 96 hours of your departure.

 

Insurance:

Diving insurance is mandatory.     In addition, travel insurance is also recommended in case you have to cancel due to health or travel connection issues.   You can purchase insurance using the links below or contact us if you need any assistance selecting a plan:

 

Dive Assure:

All plans:  https://app.diveassure.com/#/registration/main/process/0/int/0/17014/en

 

DAN:

Annual plans: https://apps.dan.org/join-dan/?do=dw&rc=3209485

Short term plans:   Contact us for a link to buy

Early Riser Price:

$1130 per person on double occupancy – valid for the first 5 divers who sign up and confirm

 

Regular Price:

$1230 per person.

A 50% payment is needed to confirm the trip, with the balance due 15 days prior to the start of the trip.

 

Inclusions:

  • 6d/5n OR 7d/6n stay, depending on the trip option
  • Transfers from Male to Dharavandhoo & back via domestic flights
  • 10 dives
  • 2 Hanifaru Bay snorkelling trips
  • Nitrox
  • Taxes and fees

Excluded/Extras:

  • Single surcharge
  • International flights
  • Instructor fees if doing courses
  • Gear rental – $20/day with dive computer
  • Additional dives and snorkelling excursions not included in the page
  • Tip/gratuities for the crew ($50-100)
  • Please carry sufficient USD cash to pay for your meals – local restaurants rarely accept credit cards (although that is starting to change)

 

  • While the diving is accessible to all certification levels, we recommend divers who are not comfortable with their buoyancy, etc do a refresher in a pool before coming – this lets you enjoy the dives more and also doesn’t affect the dives for others

 

  • Please note the arrival and departure timings for your flight to/from Male – we recommend keeping some extra time on hand in possible, to allow for small delays

 

  • Feel free to contact us on +919880334003 or +917044072204 if you have any questions, or email info@bangalorescuba.com
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