The Manta Show in the Best Of Maldives : EcoPro Mariana Tour Highlights 15.02.– 25.02.2026
- Alexandra Brandt
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
There is something special about boarding a liveaboard in the Maldives. The anticipation of what lies beneath those turquoise waters, the promise of drifting along channels packed with marine life, and the knowledge that you are about to spend ten days with a group of strangers who will soon feel like family. Our recent Best of Maldives tour aboard the EcoPro Mariana delivered all of that and more.
Welcome Aboard: EcoPro Mariana, Best of Maldives Liveaboard from Malé
The first day of any liveaboard is about settling in. Guests arrive throughout the afternoon, stow their gear, and get familiar with the EcoPro Mariana, a 30-metre traditional safari boat that accommodates a maximum of 16 guests across 9 cabins. With its recent 2025 renovation, the vessel blends modern comfort with classic Maldivian liveaboard charm.
Our dive team spends the evening organising equipment and discussing preferences. Whether it is a CMAS group preferring air dives, a single traveller arranging dive insurance, or couples excited to explore together, the nervous energy of strangers quickly shifts into the comfortable buzz of a group about to share something special.
Currents, Sharks, and First Encounters
The diving begins in earnest on day two with a relaxed checkout dive to get used to gear and warm Maldivian waters. From there, medium incoming currents at channel dives bring classic drift conditions, close shark sightings, eagle rays cruising by, and the first taste of Best of Maldives action.
A highlight is the famous nurse shark night dive at Alimatha, where the group has the site to themselves. Dozens of nurse sharks glide through the lights, joined by massive rays and hunting trevallies, creating an intense yet controlled encounter that many guests call unforgettable.
Adventure Rides and Manta Magic
By day four, the group has found its rhythm. Channel and corner dives deliver small to medium currents, plenty of reef sharks, barracuda schools, and trevally, with some dives turning into thrilling drift “rides” when the ocean picks up speed. Safety always comes first, so dives are called early when conditions demand it – and guests appreciate going home tired but safe.
Day five brings one of those moments liveaboard divers dream of: a fast fly-in drift at Muli Corner that has everyone grinning behind their regulators. Kurali adds manta encounters and even a mating octopus, while relaxed macro dives at sheltered reefs let photographers focus on nudibranchs and small critters.
The Manta Show and Island BBQ
Medium incoming currents at sites like Dufushi Kandu provide shark action, eagle rays, and dense fish life, but Kurali steals the show when mantas circle the group for over half an hour. The same mating octopus appears again, giving photographers another rare behavioural moment.
The day ends with a legendary beach BBQ on a deserted island, complete with Chef Sampath’s famous steaks and a relaxed, family-style atmosphere.
Channel Diving Mastery at Fish Head and Rasdhoo with EcoPro Mariana
As conditions shift at Kudarah Thila, the team decides to abort the dive early when strong currents and down currents develop – another example of smart decision-making in dynamic environments. Not every dive brings mantas, but iconic sites like Fish Head deliver everything from tiny nudibranchs to sharks and baby eagle rays in crystal-clear visibility.
Maya Thila and Bathalaa Thila combine small to medium currents with abundant sharks, mantis shrimps, and schooling trevallies. Rasdhoo then becomes the top dive of the trip, with sharks passing incredibly close while the group hooks in and holds position for over 30 minutes, finishing with rich macro life in the shallows.
Shark Farewell and Journey Home
The final morning offers one last dive at Rasdhoo with a perfect medium incoming current and clear water. Sixteen sharks gather directly in front of the group, as if lining up to say goodbye, while divers enjoy a last mix of big animals and macro subjects before ascending with huge smiles.
Back in Hulhumalé lagoon, it is time for packing and a quick shore visit.
Ten days earlier, 15 strangers boarded a boat; now they leave as the EcoPro family, already planning their next adventure together.
What Makes the EcoPro Mariana Special
After years of running tours in the Maldives, we have learned that the vessel matters less than the people aboard it – but the EcoPro Mariana manages to excel at both. With a maximum of 16 guests in 9 cabins, our small group size allows guides to react quickly when currents split at corners or when a diver needs assistance at depth.
Professionalism and safety run through every part of the journey, from detailed briefings and drills to attentive care for guests who feel unwell. Add in Chef Sampath’s creative cuisine, legendary beach BBQs, and the warm, family-style atmosphere praised in our guest testimonials, and you get a liveaboard experience that goes far beyond just world-class diving.
If you are ready to create your own Maldives memories, our Best of Maldives and Central Atolls itineraries run throughout the year, with trips ranging from 7 to 11 nights. Whether you are hoping for manta encounters, shark-filled channels, or simply that feeling of being part of the EcoPro family, the EcoPro Mariana and EcoPro Seascape are the perfect base for your next liveaboard.
Check our upcoming trip dates and get in touch to reserve your spot. The mantas, sharks, and sunsets are waiting for you in the Maldives.
Your EcoProDivers Team
Comments