Date
8-19 September 2026
Duration
10 nights/11 days
Island: 8-12 September 2026
Vessel: 12 -19 September 2026
Package Cost
- Diver Standard room: $3545.00 per person – sleeps 2 pax: one double bed & one single bed
- Diver Single Room-Standard (Solo) $4940.00 per person – sleeps 1 person: double bed
- Diver Superior-Upper deck: $4095.00 per person – sleeps 2 pax: 1 king or 2 single beds – SOLD OUT
- Diver Single Suite-Superior (Solo) $5695.00 per person – sleeps 1 person: double bed – SOLD OUT
- Snorkeler Standard Single Room (Solo) $4200.00 per person – sleeps 1 person: double bed
- Snorkeler Standard Room: $2995.00 per person – sleeps 2 pax: one double & one single bed
- Snorkeler Superior/Upper deck: $3495.00 per person – sleeps 2 pax: 1 king or 2 single beds. SOLD OUT
- Single room pricing available upon request.
Note: All costs for this trip are in U.S. Dollars (USD). A small booking fee applies, with various options available through WeTravel.
Overview
This route is designed to maximise our time spent with manta rays and whale sharks. It will be an unforgettable experience. You are responsible for getting yourself to Malé International Airport (MLE). A short domestic flight (included in the cost) will be required to Dharavandhoo Island for a three-night stay (Sept 8-12, 2026) to go out to Hanifaru Bay with the large aggregations of manta rays. We then board the charter vessel (Sept 12-19, 2026). Please note that check-in time for the vessel is usually around 2:00 pm. Scuba diving courses can be undertaken on the vessel if you are an open-water diver and want to progress your level or depth.
Package Includes
- 3 nights (4 days) at Dharavandoo Island (Kiha Beach Hotel)
- 3 manta ray swims at the world-famous Hanifaru Bay, the largest aggregation of mantas in the world (Marine Protected Area)
- 1 beach BBQ picnic evening with traditional Maldivian music and dancing
- 1 domestic flight (from Malé to Dharavandhoo)
- 7 nights onboard the luxury Carpe Novo liveaboard
- 17/18 dives from the Carpe Novo liveaboard
- 3 great buffet meals daily, plus between-dive snacks—the food is fantastic
- Drinking water, coffee or tea
- 3 dives daily (except the day of arrival and day before departure)
- Dive instructors—one guide for a group of five—are very professional and experts on the local dive sites
- Use of air tanks or nitrox tanks, weights, and belts
- Airport transfers on the days of embarkation or disembarkation (airport transfer from Dharavandhoo to or from the vessel to Malé International airport)
- Presentations on marine life
- Fun and friendly atmosphere with experienced group leader
Exclusions
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International flights to Malé
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Rental Gear
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Dive Insurance
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Travel Insurance
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Lunch, dinner, and beverages on the local island
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Gratuities
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Soda, alcoholic beverages, and “fancy” coffee drinks onboard the vessel
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Shopping on the local island
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Diving on the local island
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16% GST and 10% service charge for on-board purchases
- Green tax
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SIM cards
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Wi-Fi on-board the vessel (approx. $40 USD per week)
Notes on the Itinerary
The above trip routing is designed to be able to visit spots most frequented by Manta Rays, including the famous Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll. The trip starts in Baa Atoll, which means a one-way domestic flight will be needed at the start of the trip.
Guests will be encouraged to gather pictures and/or make sketches of the mantas seen during the dives. This information is passed on to mantamatcher.org to assist in the gathering and research of the manta population in the Maldives. Divers’ observations will be included in on-going manta research being conducted in the Maldives. Data on manta identification and migration is being collected by the Marine Research section of the Ministry of Fisheries in Malé. BONUS: If it is a “new” manta and it is spotted for the third time, the guest can decide on a name and keep track of “their manta” in the future.
Entry Requirements for Maldives
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Most visitors to the Maldives can enter visa-free for up to 30 days
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Guests will complete the IMUGA traveler declaration form before departure for entry into the Maldives
Group Leader
Amanda Delaforce is a marine biologist with a passion for conservation and citizen science. She first established this trip in 2016 and has been leading it ever since — it remains one of her all-time favourites. Amanda has been visiting this incredible destination for over a decade, and 2026 will mark the 10-year anniversary of her group expeditions there. She’s excited to share this unforgettable experience with you.
THE VESSEL
Carpe Novo
The MV Carpe Novo is a 42-meter-long (138-foot) motor safari yacht with a wooden hull, three decks, and a sun deck. It is the newest boat in the Carpe Diem fleet, starting operation in 2016. The sun deck, bar on the middle deck, and rest area on the lower deck will spoil you for a week.
Superior rooms (main deck): each have a king-size bed that can be divided into two super singles, a desk, a dresser, a hanging closet, large windows, individually controlled air conditioning systems, a flat-panel TV/HD player, and a private ensuite bathroom with a shower.
Standard rooms (lower deck): each room provides individually controlled air conditioning, one queen bed and one super single bed, desk/chair, dresser, hanging closet, TV/HD player, portholes, and a private ensuite bathroom with shower.
The electricity voltage onboard is 220V, and international outlets are available onboard if required. If joining from the US, check that your chargers are 120V/220V compatible (most electronics—laptops, iPads, GoPros, camera battery chargers are compatible).
For the photographers, the vessel offers a spacious camera room for setting up and charging cameras or batteries, and the crew will assist with carrying cameras to and from the dive dhoni and are trained in the careful care of camera gear.
How to secure your spot
Please note that this trip has limited spots, so you will need to get in quick to secure your booking. The following payments will be required:
$800 USD to secure your spot
Payment 1 due on February 25, 2026
Remaining balance due on June 01, 2026
Payment
Once you pay your deposit, an invoice will be sent to you via the booking platform. I would recommend purchasing your flights into Malé (capital) as soon as possible to secure a cheap flight. To check on available spaces to secure your spot, email: amanda@amandadelaforce.com.
Bookings, Payments and Cancellation Policy and Force Majeure in relation to the Tour
TERMS & CONDITIONS
These Terms & Conditions apply to all bookings made with Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 26 661 237 734), trading as OceanLife Scuba Expeditions (“OceanLife Scuba Expeditions”, “we”, “us” or “our”).
1. Insurance
- OceanLife Scuba Expeditions highly recommends that all guests purchase comprehensive personal travel and dive insurance as soon as possible after confirming their travel plans. Your insurance policy should provide adequate cover for, at a minimum, trip cancellation, medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, scuba diving activities, missed or delayed flights, baggage loss or delay, travel interruptions and personal liability. We recommend Dive Assure or DAN for dive insurance. Dive Assure offers both annual and short-term (per trip) Dive and Travel Insurance policies. You can purchase a policy here – https://app.diveassure.com/#/registration/main/process/0/int/0/18669/en-intl
- Evidence of adequate travel and dive insurance must be provided prior to departure.
- All diving, snorkelling and in-water activities are conducted by our appointed in-country operator(s), including liveaboard vessel operators and local dive centres, who maintain responsibility for their own operational procedures, safety standards and applicable insurance requirements. While participating in diving, snorkelling or swimming activities, you are required to comply with all instructions given by the Captain, Dive Instructor, Divemaster or other authorised crew members.
2. Bookings and Payments
- Bookings made more than 100 days before the commencement of the trip require a non-refundable deposit of USD $800 per passenger.
- All deposits are non-refundable.
- Bookings made within 100 days of the commencement of the trip require payment in full to secure the booking.
- Final payment is due no later than 100 days before the commencement of the trip. A final payment reminder will be sent prior to the due date.
- Each guest is required to complete a Dive Trip Questionnaire (which may include a Dive Medical Assessment where applicable) before receiving final trip confirmation. The completed questionnaire must be returned to OceanLife Scuba Expeditions before final payment is made.
- Guests are required to disclose all relevant medical conditions honestly and completely. Failure to disclose relevant medical information, or providing false or misleading information, may result in OceanLife Scuba Expeditions refusing participation where the condition may affect the safety of the guest, other participants or the safe operation of the expedition.
- Guests are responsible for ensuring they hold valid passports, visas, permits, vaccinations and any other documentation required for entry into the destination country or countries. OceanLife Scuba Expeditions accepts no responsibility for denied boarding, refused entry or additional costs resulting from incomplete, expired or invalid travel documentation.
3. Amendment and Cancellation Policy
- All deposits are non-refundable.
- The total trip cost becomes 100% non-refundable within 100 days of the scheduled departure date. This applies to deposits and all subsequent payments, except where otherwise required by law.
- If you cancel your booking 100 days or more before departure, and your place can be resold, a trip credit equal to your remaining balance (less a USD $300 administration fee) will be issued. The credit must be used on another OceanLife Scuba Expeditions trip departing within two (2) years of the cancellation date.
- If you cancel your booking within 99 days of departure, no refund or trip credit will be issued.
- If a guest misses the commencement of the expedition or any part of the itinerary due to delayed or cancelled flights, missed connections, immigration delays, baggage delays, weather events or other travel disruptions, no refund, credit or alternative arrangements will be provided by OceanLife Scuba Expeditions. Any eligible costs should be claimed through the guest’s travel insurance policy, where covered.
- OceanLife Scuba Expeditions reserves the right to amend itineraries, accommodation, vessels, dive sites, schedules, guides or expedition leaders where reasonably necessary due to weather, sea conditions, safety considerations, wildlife activity, mechanical issues, operational requirements, government directives or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Such changes do not constitute grounds for compensation or refund.
4. Force Majeure
- OceanLife Scuba Expeditions shall not be liable for any delay, alteration, cancellation or failure to deliver a trip where such circumstances are caused by events beyond our reasonable control.
- A Force Majeure Event includes, but is not limited to, acts of God, war, terrorism, fire, flood, severe weather, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, industrial disputes, strikes, civil unrest, acts of government or regulatory authorities, the inability to obtain licences or permits, delays caused by subcontractors or suppliers, telecommunications failures, material shortages or any other event beyond our reasonable control.
5. Guest Responsibilities
- Guests participating in scuba diving must hold the minimum certification required for the expedition and provide proof of certification if requested.
- Guests agree to dive within the limits of their certification, experience and current medical fitness, and to follow all instructions provided by dive professionals, vessel crew and expedition staff.
- Guests are responsible for arriving at the designated departure location at the required time. OceanLife Scuba Expeditions is not responsible for missed departures resulting from delayed or cancelled flights, missed connections, immigration delays, baggage delays, weather events or other travel disruptions beyond our reasonable control. Any costs, losses or expenses incurred as a result of these disruptions are the responsibility of the guest and should be claimed through the guest’s travel insurance policy.
- Guests are responsible for the care and security of their own dive equipment, camera equipment, luggage and personal belongings throughout the expedition.
- Wildlife sightings are natural events and cannot be guaranteed. OceanLife Scuba Expeditions makes no representation or warranty that any particular marine species, wildlife encounter or photographic opportunity will occur during an expedition.
- OceanLife Scuba Expeditions reserves the right to refuse participation or remove any guest from an expedition, without refund, where their behaviour is considered unsafe, abusive, disruptive, illegal, intoxicated, or likely to place themselves, other guests, crew members or the expedition at risk.
6. Liability and Obligations
- OceanLife Scuba Expeditions acts as an expedition organiser and booking agent for accommodation providers, liveaboards, dive operators, transport providers and other third-party suppliers.
- We choose our in-country dive operators carefully. We check that they hold the correct permits, licences, vessel registrations and insurance before we work with them. Once you’re on the water, they’re responsible for running the trip safely under their own procedures, not ours.
- To the maximum extent permitted by law, OceanLife Scuba Expeditions accepts no responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, delay or expense arising from the acts, omissions or default of any third-party supplier involved in delivering any component of the expedition.
- Participation in scuba diving, snorkelling and other adventure activities involves inherent risks which may result in serious injury, permanent disability or death. These risks include, but are not limited to, decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, hyperbaric injuries requiring recompression treatment, equipment failure, adverse weather, strong currents, remote locations where emergency medical assistance may be delayed, and encounters with wild marine life that may result in stings, bites or other injuries.
- Guests acknowledge these inherent risks and voluntarily participate in these activities at their own risk. Participants are responsible for ensuring they are medically fit to participate, exercising reasonable care, following all safety instructions and complying with directions provided by the vessel crew, dive professionals and expedition leaders.
- To the maximum extent permitted by law, OceanLife Scuba Expeditions shall not be liable for any personal injury, illness or death suffered directly or indirectly as a result of participation in the expedition or associated activities. We are also not liable for any consequential loss, including loss of income, profits, enjoyment or opportunity, nor for the loss, theft or damage of personal belongings before, during or after the expedition.
- Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or any other applicable legislation.
7. Privacy & Data Collection Notice
OceanLife Scuba Expeditions collects personal information, including contact details, payment information and, where relevant to trip participation, health and medical information, in order to process bookings, arrange travel and diving activities, and communicate with guests. Health information collected through our Dive Trip Questionnaire is used solely to assess fitness to dive and may be shared with our appointed in-country dive operators for safety purposes. We do not sell personal information to third parties. By using this website or booking a trip, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described here.
8. Photography
During the expedition, OceanLife Scuba Expeditions and its representatives may capture photographs and video footage for promotional, educational and marketing purposes. Unless you notify us in writing before departure, you consent to the use of images or video in which you may appear on our website, social media channels, printed publications and other promotional material without compensation.
9. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms & Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Queensland, Australia.
By placing a booking with Amanda Delaforce Photography and Travel Pty Ltd (ABN 26 661 237 734), trading as OceanLife Scuba Expeditions, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms & Conditions and the Cancellation Policy.
