ARI ATOLL
Explore the island of Fenfushi, an island whose inhabitants were skilful coral sculptors. This now deserted island is now uninhabited, but the island is still littered with remnants of its traditional carving history. Explore this deserted island finding carved tombstones and mosques that are a testament to the extraordinary skill and talent of island residents.
Dive into the waters of the Ari Atoll that are known for their high clarity and their high concentration of pelagic species. These waters are a true divers paradise and there is no shortage of marine wildlife that make their way to the atoll to make use of the many cleaning stations. Visit Panettone, an exclusive dive site of underwater rocks that are covered in yellow and orange soft corals and sea fans creating an extraordinary underwater tapestry.
Visit the village of Dhangethi and see the enormous banyan trees that grow here. Meet with locals who will show you how they have put these extraordinary trees and their aerial roots to use in building and crafting. For a deeper and more authentic encounter, share a meal with these local craftsmen.
In the afternoon head below the surface in the Kuda Rah Thila Marine Reserve. Dive through a coral-covered archway, an entrance to this stunning dive site. Here you can expect to see coral and fish of every colour and size. Explore Manta Point, a cleaning station that attracts a huge number of whale sharks and manta rays.
HANIFARU
Discover the Hanifaru Bay Marine Reserve Area, a stunning stretch of ocean with a high concentration of manta rays. Join the Manta Trust who aim to protect and preserve these endangered species and help them with their crucial conservation work. Explore Anga Faru a fascinating dive site that boasts a rock pinnacle thought to be a shark nursery for Grey Reef Sharks. Here you will encounter hundreds of baby Grey Reef Sharks and turtles.
For something a little different, head to an underwater shipyard. Explore wrecks that lie eerily at the bottom of the ocean overtaken by nature and covered in soft and hard corals. This silent ship graveyard is the perfect place to be awed by the striking power of nature.