MV Sting Ray this week embarked with 17 divers, a multinational group of divers from Austria, Germany, Spain and Singapore all arriving to Maldives with one thing in common.

Despite the poor monsoon weather condition during the past 3 days, diving remained at a top level Mantas sighting at Lankan Manta Point and Whale Sharks at south Ari atoll.

Sting Ray started this week on the 18th ending on the 26th. Due to late arrivals and bad weather condition check dived and sailing out of Hulhumale’ lagoon had to be postponed to the next day.

The weather remained bad bring scattered rain shower and gusty wind, check dive was at Lankan Manta Point under calm conditions and no current were present. No mantas were seen on the first dive but second dive brining more luck with 6 to 8 mantas at the cleaning station during the 60 minute dive.

After having an great big fish dive (Gary Reef Sharks, Eagle Ray and more pelagic) at Kandooma Thila, sting ray sailed to southern Ari atoll and included Omadhu Thila and Vilamendhoo Thila for the day’s remaining 2 dives. Nothing big on both dives but seeing frog fish and leaf fish was rewarding.

Whale Shark search began the next day morning after a dive to Kuda Rah Thila. The weather didn’t allow to cover much of the outer rim of southern Ari atoll and the search had to be limited to the island Dhidhoo. After searching for an hour the dive guides decided to go for the second dive at Dhidhoo Outer Reef and while everyone was back on the dive dhoni the crew spotted one whale sharks right next to the dive dhoni allowing everyone to snorkel.

MV Sting Ray’s is performing 4 dives today and at presently is located diving at Makaru Thila. Dhigaa Thila near Raidhigaa Island being the first, second Fish Head (Mushimasmigili Thila) and night dive at Maaya Thila this evening.

Related posts:

1. Sting Ray reports whale shark sighting at White Sands Beyru and Dhagethi Beyru
2. Black Pearl reports three whale sharks on their first “Guaranteed Whale Shark and Manta Safaris in Maldives”
3. MV Sting Ray reports whale shark at Holiday Beyru Faru yesterday.
4. MV Sting Ray: Highest priority for Whale Shark this week
5. Black Pearl Liveaboard Reports Whale Shark Sighting at Southern Ari Atoll
6. Adventurer 2 locates whale shark under rainy conditions at Holiday Island Beyru.
7. MV Sting Ray resumes diving safaris on southwest monsoon season.
8. Adventurer 2 reports Whale Shark sighting while diving and snorkeling.
9. MV Sting Ray continues towards southern Ari atoll.
10. Adventurer 2 dive and snorkel with whale shark at Sun Island Beyru.