Dive the Maldives' Deep South and Join a Shark Research Expedition
Sail for two weeks on Myna II from Malé to Fuvahmulah's tiger sharks. A marine biologist is on board, and we never take more than 18 guests.
- Week 1, southbound
- 27 Mar to 3 Apr 2027
- Week 2, northbound
- 3 to 10 Apr 2027
- From (per person, per week)
- $3,545
- Guests
- 18 at most
Chiara answers in English, Italian or German.
What You'll See on Your Way South
Every photo and clip on this page is our own. The route is planned around these encounters, from the manta cleaning stations in Meemu to the tiger sharks of Fuvahmulah.
Manta rayOff a reef wall Hawksbill turtleReefs across the seven atolls 
Grey reef sharksChannel dives on the way south Grey reef sharkA close pass in open blue 
Tawny nurse sharkOn a Maldives night dive Manta rayPassing overhead 
StingrayResting on the sand Whale sharkCruising over the reef 
Spotted eagle rayIn open blue water 
Leopard sharkResting on the reef
How the Research Works
Every guest can add photos and sightings to the shark-monitoring data we collect with Sara from Miyaru. Most of that work comes together at Fuvahmulah, with its tiger sharks.
- You photograph the sharks you meet, and Sara uses the pictures to identify individual animals.
- You can log what you saw on each dive: species, location, sex and size.
- Every evening Sara tells you more about the sharks you saw, and at Fuvahmulah she takes the group to the Miyaru Lab to explain what they're researching.
The Route, Week by Week
Week two isn't week one in reverse. We turn north at Fuvahmulah and dive different channels and reefs all the way back to Malé.
Week 1, Southbound
27 Mar to 3 Apr 2027
- Day 1MaléEmbarkation, a check dive and the cruise south.
- Day 2VaavuChannel diving with plenty of sharks, then an overnight passage south.
- Day 3MeemuManta cleaning stations, soft corals and channel dives.
- Day 4LaamuOuter reefs and channels swept by current.
- Day 5Gaafu AlifuHuvadhoo channels, grey reef sharks and a whale shark search after dark.
- Day 6Gaafu DhaaluRemote reefs, channels and shark monitoring.
- Day 7FuvahmulahThe Tiger Zoo and blue-water shark diving.
- Day 8FuvahmulahBreakfast, disembarkation and onward travel.
Week 2, Northbound
3 to 10 Apr 2027
- Day 1FuvahmulahEmbarkation, a check dive and your first look at the tiger sharks.
- Day 2FuvahmulahThe signature shark dives, with the research running alongside.
- Day 3Gaafu DhaaluNorthbound channels in areas week one didn't dive.
- Day 4Gaafu AlifuRemote reefs, channels and a whale shark search after dark.
- Day 5LaamuPelagic encounters and southern reefs.
- Day 6MeemuMantas, channels and a wildlife search in the evening.
- Day 7KaafuGreen turtles, leopard sharks and the last cruise to Malé.
- Day 8MaléBreakfast, disembarkation and the airport transfer.
The plan follows the weather, the currents and the sightings, so days can move.
Thinking About Both Weeks?
You start and finish in Malé, so there's no domestic flight to book, and you dive the whole route once in each direction. Both weeks together cost $100 less than two single weeks.
Life on Myna II and What It Costs
Myna II sleeps 22. We cap every trip at 18, so there's room on deck and the dive groups stay small.
Fares Per Person
| Cabin | One week | Both weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Lower deck | $3,545 | $6,990 |
| Top deck, ocean view | $4,545 | $8,990 |
- Based on two guests sharing. A single cabin costs 50% more.
- We add a fuel surcharge of about $250 a week, depending on local fuel prices.
Myna II
- Length
- 30 m
- Built
- 2022
- Guests
- 18 at most, in 10 cabins
- Crew
- 12, plus 5 dive guides
- Cabins
- Private en-suite, air-conditioned
- On deck
- Sun deck with loungers and a jacuzzi
- For divers
- Nitrox, camera table, rinse tank and charging points
Detailed deck plans are available if you ask.
Included
- 7 or 14 nights on board with full board, snacks and soft drinks
- 18 dives a week with guides. Your 12-litre tanks, weights and Nitrox are included.
- Transfers between the airport and the boat in Malé and Fuvahmulah
- Green tax, GST, port and national park fees
- Service charge and tips for the crew
- A contribution to Miyaru's research of $50 for one week or $100 for two
Not Included
- International flights
- The domestic flight if you book one week (we can help you arrange it)
- Diving insurance (highly recommended)
- Rental equipment
- The fuel surcharge
Can You Join? Yes, With the Right Preparation
This is diving in currents through remote channels, so there are a few things we check with everyone before they book. If you're not sure where you stand, message us and we'll talk it through.
Less experienced? Ask us about a private guide.
ASK CHIARA IF IT'S RIGHT FOR YOU- Open Water Diver or equivalentAdvanced is recommended. We run Advanced Open Water courses on board.
- Nitrox certificationIf you don't have it yet, you can do the course on board.
- Recent dives and good buoyancyIf it's been a while, you'll do a refresher dive first.
- A dive computer and an SMBWe can lend you a current hook.
- Diving insuranceWe highly recommend it, though it isn't required.
- Age 15 or older
- The Diver Medical Participant QuestionnaireIf it says you need a doctor's sign-off, we'll need that before you dive.
Who You'll Dive With
We started Ocenara after building our careers diving across Egypt, Greece, Oman, Jordan and the Maldives. We host every trip ourselves.
Chiara
Co-founder and tour leader
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and SSI Advanced Open Water Instructor. She guides dives and runs the planning and operations with Mike. She also shoots the trip's photo and video, and she speaks Italian, English and German.
Mike
Co-founder and tour leader
PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and SSI Advanced Open Water Instructor. He guides dives and runs the planning and operations with Chiara. He also keeps the dive equipment in order, and he speaks German and English.
Sara
Marine biologist
Research Manager at Miyaru. She moves between the dive groups to collect shark-monitoring data and gives the evening talks about what you saw.
Mizzy
Expert guide and field researcher
A Maldivian dive instructor born on Muli Island and a field researcher at Miyaru, with a lifelong connection to the sharks.
What Past Guests Say
These are Google reviews from our Red Sea liveaboards. The Maldives expedition is new for 2027, so its own reviews will come after the trip.
“Our Red Sea liveaboard with Ocenara was nothing short of wonderful.”
– Doug TwyfordRed Sea liveaboard “Our diving adventure with Ocenara, Chiara, and Mike was truly unforgettable.”
– Chris JiménezRed Sea liveaboard “My experience with Ocenara was nothing short of extraordinary”
– Francesca FontanaRed Sea liveaboard
Frequently Asked Questions
IS THIS THE RIGHT TRIP FOR MY EXPERIENCE?
The Deep South can bring strong currents, blue-water entries and negative descents. Tell us your certification, roughly how many dives you have, when you last dived and how much diving in current you've done. We'll talk through whether the trip suits you and whether a refresher or a private guide would help.
HOW DO YOU KEEP THE DIVE GROUPS SMALL?
Chiara and Mike dive with three local guides, so a group is usually four or five divers per guide, put together by experience and conditions. Every dive starts with a briefing and has the dhoni team behind it, and a surface marker buoy is mandatory.
CAN I JOIN FOR JUST ONE WEEK?
Yes. Choose the southbound week, 27 Mar to 3 Apr 2027, or the northbound week, 3 to 10 Apr 2027. Each one is seven nights on board, and staying for both joins the two routes into one 14-night trip.
WHICH FLIGHTS SHOULD I BOOK?
That depends on your week, because week 1 ends in Fuvahmulah and week 2 starts there, so one-week guests also need a domestic flight to or from Malé. Talk to us before you buy any flights so we can confirm your transfers, any domestic connection and the time you need between your last dive and flying.
CAN I JOIN ON MY OWN?
Yes. Tell us whether you'd like to share a cabin or have one to yourself, and we'll explain the options and the price before you decide. A cabin to yourself costs 50% more than a shared one.
WILL WE SEE SHARKS AND MANTAS?
Every encounter depends on the wildlife and the conditions. We dive the places these animals come back to and plan each day carefully, and we leave the marine life free to come and go.
HOW DEEP AND HOW LONG ARE THE DIVES?
All dives are guided no-decompression dives, to 30 metres at most and up to 60 minutes. The water is 28 to 29°C, so a 3 mm suit or a rashguard is enough.
HOW DO I RESERVE MY PLACE?
Message Chiara on WhatsApp or send us your details below with your preferred week, your cabin and your diving experience. We'll check availability and whether the trip suits you, then send the written offer with the payment schedule, the cancellation terms and the next steps.
Ask About a Place on Board
WhatsApp is the quickest way to reach us. If you'd rather use email, leave your details and we'll write back with availability for your week.
+39 345 430 0864
Tell us your certification and how many dives you've logged.