Upon arrival in the magical Maldivian capital - Male (the most densely populated piece of land on the planet) your crew will meet and transfer you to your home, away from the hustle and bustle of life, for the next 2 weeks  - The Black Pearl. There you’ll meet the rest of your Maldivian crew and the MWSRP marine biologists.

After chilling out and settling in, no time will be wasted in getting you in the water! An orientation dive will take place in North Male before you begin your journey through the idyllic coral sand chain of islands north to Baa Atoll.
During the evening the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP) biologists will formally introduction themselves and deliver a presentation about the organisation’s work (+ short briefing about animal encounter conduct)

The next day your dives will begin! Rasfaree Outside and Voshimas Thila where grey reef sharks, green and hawksbill turtles and other wonders of the ocean will be awaiting your decent into the warm crystal clear tropical water.

The afternoon will bring the channel crossing to Baa atoll – drawing you ever closer to some of the most extraordinary dive sites in the world.

During evenings onboard The Black Pearl, the marine biologists will discuss with you the importance of the precious ecosystem sometimes through interactive presentations and other times during a general chat. You will also be given the opportunity to become involved in the research – taking photographs, monitoring behaviour and distuinguishing features, measuring animals (where possible), sexing, logging GPS coordinates etc – and recording all of the data on one of the most comprehensive whale shark databases in the world. You’ll be introduced to and given the chance to use I3S, the spot pattern recognition software, originally developed by NASA and used to identify whale sharks and manta rays through their unique spot patterns. The biologists will be with you 24/7 giving you every opportunity to gain answers to those questions you have always wanted to ask.

Your dive locations will vary depending on wind and weather conditions. Please see the list of sites below for the scheduled dive sites. However, nothing is set in stone. If you particularly like a certain spot we may stay for another dive….or two.

For example, Hanifaru! The lagoon is a natural phenomenon where you will almost certainly want to remain. Arrival will be scheduled for the best tide times to ensure the best chance of witnessing the feeding frenzy at its climax.

Dive Sites Anga Faru, Dhigali Haa, Rangali Faru, 12.5 Thila, Maavaru Kandu, Muthaafushi House Reef (Night Dive ), Dharavandhoo thila, Milaidhoo Outside, Blue hole, Dhe Gaa Thila, Neli Varu, Don fan thila, Blue Hole, Cake, Outside reef, Udoodhoo West, Ranfaru, Hurualhi corner, Kihaa rock, Vadhoo coner, Kihaadhoo thila, Aidhoo Chennel, Iru caves

Day 13: Unfortunately, is the beginning of the end of your experience with the Black Pearl crew and MWSRP - The channel crossing voyage will begin….but don’t worry! You’ll sneak one last dive in at Lankan Manta point where chances are you’ll get one last ‘manta ray fix’ before departing the incredible environment of the Republic of Maldives.

Day 14: Your crew will transfer you to Male airport for your departure where you can dream of your unforgettable experience over the past two week experience.