Ocean Conservation and Mantas in the Maldives
Freediving Family Expedition (14 Spots Total)
Experience a rare slice of the real Maldives.
When most people think of the Maldives, they imagine luxury resorts, overwater villas, and curated tourism. But that’s only one side of these islands. This trip is about something rarer — a glimpse into the untouched Maldives, where the reefs breathe freely, the marine life is wild, and the culture runs deep.
Join this Freediving Family Reunion set on the remote island of Makunudhoo, which combines conservation with laid-back adventure and raw, wild beauty. Our partner for this trip is the only operator on the island, but it’s no resort island - Makunudhoo is a rare slice of the Maldives still untouched by tourism — and that’s the magic.
With fewer than 2,000 residents, this is your chance to experience authentic Maldivian island life, far from the crowds.
Unlike many tourist hubs in the Maldives where harmful practices like shark feeding are common, this experience is built on respect and research. We’ll explore healthy ecosystems, witness marine life in its purest form, and learn how local communities and scientists are working together to protect the reefs for future generations.
In addition to beautiful corals and an abundance of marine life, one of the main draws of this trip are the daily interactions with Manta Rays.
This trip is heavily focused on conservation and sustainability in the Maldives so we’ll dive deep into the ecology of manta rays with evening marine talks.
We’ll also explore uninhabited islands, catch our own fish and take cooking classes from the locals. This is where curiosity meets community — in and out of the water.
This is your chance to reconnect with familiar faces, meet other like-minded ocean lovers, and share an unforgettable week in one of the most untouched corners of the Maldives.
What Are Freediving Family Expeditions?
Our expeditions are a chance to explore some of the most incredible underwater destinations on the planet alongside a community of adventurous, ocean-loving humans who are just as obsessed with freediving as you are. Think breathtaking dive sites, inquisitive marine life, local food, spontaneous adventures, and the kind of memories that somehow only happen when you throw a bunch of freedivers together in a beautiful part of the world.
While our mailing list and past students get first access to registrations, many of our expeditions are also open to the wider freediving community — so whether you’ve trained with us before or are joining us for the first time, you’re invited to come dive, explore, and experience it all with us.
Each trip is a close knit and a unique experience for those that join. Space is very limited at these events which opens us up to one of a kind opportunities to explore the world with new friends.
What’s in store in Makunudhoo:
✨ Everything taken care of — from domestic flights and boat rides to cozy accommodation, delicious meals, and every adventure in between. Just show up and we’ll handle the rest.
🚤 5-6x epic boat excursions gliding out to dive with manta rays, drift over vibrant reefs, and step onto untouched islands most travelers never see.
🦋 Dive deeper into manta magic — join marine researchers Tiana and Fauz to discover how these gentle giants live, feed, and thrive, and why protecting them matters.
🎣 Catch-and-cook adventures — learn the traditional ways of hand line fishing with local fisherman. And yes, we’ll eat what we catch!!
🍛 Discover the flavors of island cuisine — by stepping straight into a Maldivian kitchen for a cooking class!
🩵 That familiar Freediving Family energy — equal parts goofy, soulful, curious, and wild.
🌙 Evenings of storytelling, community, and reflection — reconnecting with old Deep Week friends and making new ones.
🏝️ True, authentic Maldivian island life — warm smiles, home-cooked meals, and a slower rhythm that lets you fully exhale.
Where are we staying?
We’ll be staying in a locally owned guesthouse right on the island of Makunudhoo, just steps from the sea. Each cozy room is shared between two guests, offering comfortable beds, air conditioning, and everything you need to relax after a day in the ocean. It’s simple, peaceful, and nestled in with island life — no resort flash, just clean, quiet spaces and heartfelt hospitality. This intimate setting keeps us close to the water, close to each other, and fully immersed in the rhythm of the Maldives.
This is also where our Maldivian chef, who has worked in various 5-star restaurants, will prepare three traditional dishes a day so we can experience the rich culinary heritage of the Maldives! These dishes will include fresh fish and other delicacies in various forms of curries, soups, and other local recipes! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets can also be accommodated.
Deeply cultural and fully immersed.
The Maldives is a predominantly Muslim country, and one of the special aspects of staying on a local island is the opportunity to experience the culture firsthand. Out of respect for local customs, guests are asked to dress modestly when walking through the village and visiting local businesses, with shoulders and thighs covered.
Swimwear is welcome on the boats and during all ocean activities, but a cover-up should be worn in public areas on the island. Please note that, in accordance with local regulations, this is also an alcohol-free destination, and alcohol cannot be purchased or brought onto the island.
This is a wonderful opportunity to experience Maldivian culture with curiosity, respect, and appreciation. We're incredibly grateful to be welcomed into this community and to have the chance to connect with local traditions in a genuine and meaningful way.
Take a peak at all we have planned
Each day we’ll have a beautiful meal prepared by our chef for breakfast, lunch and dinner (at the chef’s restaurant just 5 min walk from the accom)! The days will be structured with: breakfast - AM Dive for Mantas - lunch - afternoon activity - dinner. The dive locations are all 10-15 minutes boat ride away. Read below for some of the special afternoon activities!
📅 March 23 – Travel to Makunudhoo
• In the morning on the first day we’ll travel from the main island (Malé) to Makunudhoo! (we recommend you arrive the day before in Malé.
• We’ll acquaint ourselves each other and unwind from our travels before having a welcome meeting and briefing at the guest house!
🤿 March 24 – Dive and Manta talk!
• Morning dive sesh for Mantas!
• Followed by a fun dive!
• In the evening, we’ll have a Manta Biology talk given by Manta Researcher Tiana Wu!
🪸 March 25 – Dive and coral presentation!
• Depart for another day exploring the reefs in the AM!
• Painting class by local ocean painter in the afternoon.
• Evening talk about coral!
🐠 March 26 – Dive and fishing!
• AM dive with Mantas
• We’ll spend the afternoon fishing at sunset for a fresh catch!
🐚 March 27 – Mantas, mantas, mantas!
• AM Dive
• Maldivian cooking class for lunch!
• Manta behavior conservation talk in the evening!
🐬 March 28 – Diving, dolphins and turtles
• AM Dive for Mantas
• Dolphin and turtles talk in the evening
🏝️ March 29 – Dive and island picnic
• We’ll have our usual morning dive followed by a remote island picnic!
✈️ March 30 – Departure Day 🥲
• Travel back to Malé. We’ll depart the island around 12 noon!
*Please note everything is weather dependent but we can usually expect perfect conditions this time of year!
What’s included?
✅ What Is Included:
• All domestic travel from Malé to Makunudhoo
• About 5-6 boat trips for ~4 hours each
• Shared accomodation for 7 nights on Makunudhoo island (2 ppl / room)
• All meals on Makunudhoo island covered by local chef
• Traditional Maldivian Cooking Class
• Ocean painting class with local artist
• Donations to conservation research and local schools on island.
❌ What is not included
• International flights to and from Malé from origin
• Travel insurance
• Personal luxury items, toiletries, etc.
Meet Your Hosts
This underwater adventure will be guided by Marissa (Freediving Family’s resident spearo and ocean-lover) and Tiana & Fauz (residents of the Maldives and Manta Researchers). Together, Marissa, Tiana and Fauz will be there to answer your questions, pepper you with Manta chat and generally have an awesome time! 🩵
FAQs
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Yes you can! All of our expeditions are first opened to prior event attendees before we open them up to the general public! But after that they are open to anyone who’s keen to come along for an adventure :)
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During our Family Reunions, we don’t offer certifications. You must be at least Wave 1 certified or the equivalent to be able to attend these events!
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Please see the "Expedition-Specific Terms" section in the terms and conditions on our webpage, as the conditions for this trip are a little different than our usual terms.
The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable starting 4 months prior to the event starting. If you need to cancel before 4 months, you can transfer the full amount already paid towards a future event. If you need to cancel within 4 months, the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable (even if we can rebook your spot as flights and ferries will have already been purchased in your name), but we are able to transfer any remaining balance you paid towards a future event.
We cannot issue refunds.
For more info, check our terms of service.
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Our accommodation has 7 shared room with 2 beds each. Each have their own attached bathroom.
They are also air conditioned, which we love! 🌬️
If you’d like a private room we can accommodate at an additional cost. -
You should plan to bring your own gear. But our local operator on island you can rent you some if need be. Just be sure to let us know in advance!
Lead will be provided but weight belts will not so please do bring your own!
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The water in the Maldives this time of year is incredibly warm - 29–30 °C (84–86 °F).
We recommend a thin suit (1-2mm) or less. Divers often get away with a rash guard and leggings in these temps 🙌
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Nothing during the retreat is compulsory.
If you feel like you need some time to chill and relax by skipping a dive session, then by all means do so!
As Brandon always says, this is your vacation and you get to decide how much or little you want to do!
If you do decide to skip an activity, you are not entitled to a partial refund on the event.
Pricing
Trip dates: March 23 - 30, 2027
$880 USD
($1,250 AUD)
Deposit
$2,950 USD
($4,190 AUD)
Full Payment
The price includes a donation to conservation research and local schools on Makunudhoo island, as well all costs associated with the trip - including domestic flights from Velena international airport to Makunudhoo, accommodation, boat fees, entry fees, and meals. It does not include any international flight travel or transportation costs from other locations or gear hire (except lead). Please keep in mind that as stated on the website and in the "Expedition-Specific Terms" section in the terms and conditions, the conditions for this trip are a little different than our usual terms. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable starting 4 months prior to the event starting. If you need to cancel before 6 months, you can transfer the full amount already paid towards a future event. If you need to cancel within 4 months, the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable (even if we can rebook your spot as flights and ferries will have already been purchased in your name), but we are able to transfer any remaining balance you paid towards a future event. Your transaction is secure through Stripe. Terms of Service.