Our Northern Highlights itinerary in the Maldives is one of the standout trips in Emperor Divers’ schedules.
It combines some of the country’s finest atolls, extraordinary biodiversity and near-guaranteed encounters with the ‘big guns’ of Maldivian diving – mantas and sharks.
Onboard Emperor Serenity, this is the only 10-night sailing of the summer – an extended trip designed to make the most of this exceptional route.
Renowned writer and photographer Stefan Beskow has experienced the wonders of Northern Highlights first-hand. And, if his tales inspire you to join us for this special journey, read on to see how you could get a big saving on this year’s trip. Here’s what he had to say…
“There is a specific kind of magic that happens in the northern Maldives, especially when you find yourself drifting through the UNESCO World Heritage waters of Baa Atoll. My trip through North Male, Baa, and Raa Atolls felt less like a standard diving holiday and more like a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest shows.
“This region is where the ocean’s true giants come to play, and during our August tour, they certainly didn’t disappoint.
“The heart of the trip was undoubtedly the encounters with manta rays. In Baa Atoll, the ecosystem is so incredibly rich that we had breathtaking manta sightings every single day of the week.
“There were moments underwater where the sheer volume of fish was almost overwhelming. I actually found myself laughing into my regulator because schools of fish were literally ‘in the way’ while I was trying to photograph the Mantas!
“It’s a rare and wonderful ‘problem’ to have when the marine life is so dense it crowds your camera lens.
“But the real showstoppers were the whalesharks. We were lucky enough to snorkel with these gentle behemoths twice during the trip, but the most surreal moments happened right at the back of the boat.
“For four of our evenings, a whaleshark decided to hang out by the swim platform, basking in the lights and cruising through the plankton while we watched from the deck.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling of finishing a day of world-class diving only to have the world’s largest fish come to visit you while you’re relaxing with a drink.
“As I look back on the trip, my advice to anyone still sitting on the fence about the Maldives is simple: just go.
“The sheer variety of the diving, combined with the frequency of these big animal encounters, makes it a destination that truly has something for every diver. Whether you’re navigating the vibrant reefs of Raa Atoll or watching a manta dance in the blue, the Maldives has a way of leaving you completely awe-struck.
“I’ve been many times now, and I can say with total certainty that I haven’t been disappointed once.
“I’m already convinced that I’ll be back on the deck of an Emperor boat in the not-too-distant future – the Indian Ocean has a way of calling you back, and I’m always happy to answer.”
So, want to make this trip even better and collect a big discount? Well, you can save 20% on this summer’s Northern Highlights departure, sailing July 8th-18th. Simply email [email protected] and quote the code Manta26 to secure your discount.
Don’t hang about. As Stefan says, the Indian Ocean is calling….
Pictures courtesy of Stefan Beskow