This region tends to be the most popular, particularly with first time visitors. Trips range from 6 to 10 nights in duration, with 7 nights being the most common.

Trips here tend to be for 7 nights, with longer cruises scheduled occasionally. Solitude and tranquillity are chief attractions to divers here.

Liveaboard tours here can be for 7 nights but 10+ night charters are equally as common. Divers who are happy in currents will enjoy this region.

Unlike in other parts of the world, safari boats in the Maldives are usually accompanied on the cruise by a dedicated dive boat called a ‘dhoni’. These dhonis are used to conduct the diving activities during the tour, and store all the guests’ scuba gear and noisy equipment such as compressors. This not only allows a more peaceful atmosphere onboard, but also frees up space on the mothership that would have usually been taken by a dive deck and platform. The liveaboards operating here are therefore often more spacious than you might expect.