Black Pearl reports three whale sharks on their first “Guaranteed Whale Shark and Manta Safaris in Maldives”
Black Pearl initiated “Guaranteed Whale Sharks and Manta Safaris in Maldives” and is currently on their first trip. A group of 12 multinational divers from South Africa, UK, Dutch, Swiss, and Austria arrived on the 18th for a week’s trip that end on the 26th.
Guaranteed whale sharks and manta safari’s with Black Peal is actually planned to take place in BAA atoll at Hanifaru Bay but due to poor weather conditions the route had to be redirected to Ari atoll.
Black Pearl began with their check dive at Back Faru and moved to Himmafushi for the final anchorage. The next day diving started from Lankan Manta Point but dive ended seeing no mantas.
Second dive was repeated at Lankan Manta Point and this time with more luck 3 mantas were at the cleaning station.
After the second dive Black Pearl moved to south Male’ atoll, Guraidhoo region and dived at Medhu Faru. Here the highlight was Gray reef sharks and White tips reef sharks.
The next day morning diving began from Kandooma Thila where up to 6 Gray reef sharks were seen including Eagle Ray, Jack’s, Tuna and many more pelagic.
Black Pearl headed to southern Ari atoll for the second dive at Omadhu Thila and the third dive at Vilamendhoo Thila, both begin easy dive with calm conditions. Here the highlights were white tip reef sharks and sting ray.
After spending the night at Dhangethi lagoon diving resumed the next day morning from 5 Rocks where everyone enjoyed seeing a unique reef formation including many fishes.
Before the whale shark search began the group agreed on doing only 2 dives for the day allowing the crew members to focus on finding whale sharks. Not much time in to the search outside Ari Beach found the first whale sharks, 1 ½ hours later two more whale sharks were spotted near the corner of Dhidhoo Island and all divers snorkeled about 20 minutes with each whale shark.
The final anchorage was Raidhigaa Island but again due to bad weather no BBQ was made.
The next day diving started from Bodu Miyaru Thila (if directly translated to Dhivehi its “Big Shark”) located south east of Raidhigaa is an average size Thila.
Dega Thila as the day’s second dive; A mecca for invertebrates, sponges and diversity of fish life were found and the highlight was a purple frog fish and a green leaf fish. Third dive was planned at Fish Head (Mushimasmigili Thila) and after that the final anchorage at Faanamudugau lagoon.
Black Pearl’s projected route for the next days include; Maaya Thila night dive, Makaru Thila, Rasdhoo Madivaru.
Read more on tomorrow’s blog about: Guaranteed whale sharks and manta safari’s in Maldives with Black Pearl.
Related posts:
- Black Pearl Liveaboard introduces “Guaranteed Whale Shark and Manta Safari” in Maldives!
- Black Pearl Liveaboard Reports Whale Shark Sighting at Southern Ari Atoll
- Sting Ray Reports Mantas and Whale Shark Sighting Despite Monsoon Weather.
- MV Sting Ray reports whale shark at Holiday Beyru Faru yesterday.
- Black Pearl Liveaboard Searches for a Whale Shark
- Black Pearl seeks out for whale shark at southern Ari atoll.
- Black Pearl reports 3 whale sharks in one day.
- Sting Ray reports whale shark sighting at White Sands Beyru and Dhagethi Beyru
- Black Pearl resumes diving after a week of no cruise.
- Black Pearl Dives at North Male Atoll at Lankan Manta Point