Maldives 'Shark Week' Special with Marine Biologist Dr. Elke Bojanowski 9th-16th February 2025

Best of the Central Atolls: Male - Ari - Vaavu - Male (Male - Male)

In association with her charity, the Red Sea Shark Trust, Elke will be taking her world-famous ‘Shark Week’ on tour to the Maldives in 2025. She will be hosting the trip on board the luxurious MY Horizon III liveaboard. This liveaboard focuses on quality diving, comfort, and safety. A twin-engine motor yacht, with 12 cabins that can accommodate 22 divers, a restaurant serving delicious buffet food, a fully stocked bar with your favourite tipple, spa, sundecks and an open-air hot tub. As well as Elke the boat provides 4 experienced Divemasters and the average ratio is 1 Divemaster for every 6 divers.

‘SHARK WEEK’ ITINERARY

The liveaboard will be cruising the Central Atolls focusing on searching for large pelagics including the following sharks and rays:

• Schools of Grey Reef sharks
• Manta Rays
• Whale Sharks
• Hammerhead sharks
• Eagle Rays
• Nurse sharks
• There is also a chance of seeing a Tiger, Bull and other sharks too!

Running across several evenings or afternoons, Elke will be conducting fun & interesting talks about shark & ray biology, how to interact safely with them, their conservation, and how you can get involved with her research.

Elke has been a marine biologist, scuba diver and environmentalist for over 20 years. She has an amazing ability to find the sharks in the area, and is referred to by many as “The Shark Lady”.

Diving with the Horizon 3 yacht takes place from the dedicated 18m support dhoni, with 3 crew, camera rinsing, set-up stations, dive kitting up area, and  nitrox available for those certified. The dhoni is large enough to support more than 30 divers, leaving ample space for everyone to get kitted up and for gear storage. 

Date

9th-16th February 2025

The "Best of Maldives" because they include a beautiful mix of everything:

Sharks, Rays, Napoleons, Mantas, Corals, sometimes Mantas at Night, Whaleshark, an exciting wreck dive, and BBQ on the island.

You will love it because it offers a beautiful mix of Maldivian highlights. Approximately 17 dives will be completed.

Day 1 

Embark from Male. Pick up 11.30am at Airport outside of Burger King and later transfers too. A second pick up will transfer for afternoon arrivals. Check dive in the afternoon.

Day 2-6  

3-4 dives per day, including a night dive where possible. 2 dives will be planned when crossing.

Typical a day on board:

• Light breakfast.
• Morning dive.
• Breakfast.
• Dive 2.
• Lunch.
• Dive 3 (And dive 4 where possible).
• Dinner.

Activities:

• Diving.

Day 7

Sail back to Male, last diving day.

Day 8

Disembark 7-8am

The exact route and sites visited are subject to change based on local regulations, guest experience, weather, and logistics and are at the Captain's discretion.

Price £2385 Includes - Price increase by £300 March 2024

• Local Transfers
• Full board accommodation in a Twin/Double cabin share
• Water/tea/coffee
• 6 Days diving
• 12L cylinders
• Air Fills
• Weights
• Shark Presentations

• Excursions (island & beach hopping, snorkeling, Male' city & HulhuMale' Visit)

• Fishing with line and bait (Local style fishing)

• Free Glass of Wine served during Lunch and Dinner

• SUP (Stand Up Paddling) and Kayak

• Board Games

• Check-in Time - Transfer from Airport 11.30am from Burger King
• Check-out 7-8am

Extra costs

• Flights - Now Available
• Cabin upgrade Upper Double Deck plus £150
• Rental equipment (see list below)
• Nitrox - Unlimited Nitrox (single cylinder) $112
• Courses
• Alcoholic drinks - Bar Menu List and Prices
• Gratuity (Tip) requested is $150 US Cash

Obligatory surcharges and Visa

• Green tax $12/night for Liveaboard and any Hotel nights - Payable onboard cash or card but this will incur a 3.5% bank fee.
• Traveller Declaration - Complete within 96hrs before arriving in Maldives - Required.

What to bring

• Save a Dive Kit (Spare mask/fin straps, mouthpiece, O-Rings, DIN Inserts for A-Clamp/international regs, small multi-tool, dive computer battery, Neoprene Glue [Black Witch], Tie Wraps, etc) 
• Reef Hook
• Your dive kit or pre-booked hire from boat - suggest bring a spare mask if you own two
• Sun protection - cream and hats
• Mozzy Spray
• Summer casual clothing
• Cash $ or Cards. 
• Small First Aid Kit to incl Paracetamol, Imodium, Rehydration Salts, Kwells (Even though boat will supply)
  
• Logbook and cert Cards - or print out eCerts
• Own Reusable Water Bottle/s
• Bring any paperwork requested

In Hand Luggage

• Your personal medications
• Cert Cards - or print out eCerts/screen shot
• Dive computers
  
• Passport
• e-Tickets
• Credit Cards or/and Debit Cards and Free Fee Currency Card

Itinerary

• Thriving reefs and corals
• Manta ray and Shark sightings
• Grouped atolls
• Drift diving
• Tropical beaches

Upgrades & Extras
Wifi - available to purchase on board. While wifi is available in many areas, we cannot guarantee a signal. You may also purchase a local SIM card at MLE airport for internet data packages.

Ayurvedic Massage Service

Price List

Dietary & Special Requirements

Please inform us about any dietary or special requirements you may have throughout your trip. We can cater for most diets as long as we are pre-informed. Further to this, if you or any member of your group has a special occasion whilst on-board, such as a birthday or anniversary, let us know and we will make them feel special!

Diving Qualifications & Experience
Please ensure you hold the correct diving qualification and number of logged dives for the itinerary you are booked onto. You will be required to present your qualification card and recent log books upon check-in onto the vessel. Please note that decompression diving is not allowed in the Maldives and that the maximum depth is 30 metres. Diving in the Maldives is suitable for more experienced divers with training/certification to dive to a depth of 30 metres. Experience and comfort with currents and drift diving is necessary, as well as negative entries.

Minimum qualification

Advanced Open Water with Deep and advantageous to have Nitrox with min 30 logged dives.

Quick Facts

• Average Water Temp: 28 - 30 C
• Average Air Temp: 28 - 30 C
• Average Visibility: 5 - 25m
• Good for: Whaleshark, Manta, Sharks, Reefs
• Suitable for beginners: No
• CCTV: Onboard in the common areas – dive decks, saloons, engine rooms and other communal areas. Horizon III also have a designated Nightwatchman. The Night watch is a patrol which is done every 20 minutes.
• There is an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on board the dhoni.

Highlights

The Maldives is a must see diving destination for any diver serious about getting close to those magical creatures, manta and whalesharks. Surely the only way to experience the absolute very best of diving in the Maldives is on board our latest liveaboard - MY Horizon lll which brings luxury liveaboard diving in the Maldives at a truly affordable budget. Don't delay - don't miss out on what is one of the most memorable dive holidays you will take!

Please note: Use of a dive computer is obligatory.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
Check whether you need a yellow fever certificate by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s Travel Health Pro website at http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/139/maldives#Vaccine_recommendations.
Please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/maldives for the most up to date advice.

Currency

The local currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), however most large businesses including resorts and restaurants accept US Dollars. If you bring US Dollars cash it must be in good condition without damage, tears or stains. Please note that local banks (and therefore local businesses) will not accept old versions of US banknotes: the newer $100 banknote should have a blue security strip, and the $20 and $50 bank notes should not be dated older than 2004.

All you need to do now is contact the office for the booking details.

Confirmation of the flights etc will be forwarded. Balance required 90 days prior to departure.