Water Temp - 26-29 degrees C
Experience Level - Beginner - Advanced

The Maldives is situated off the Western Seaboard of Southern India stretching between the 7 degree meridian in the North to just below the Equator in the South. The Atolls are actually the tips of a submerged volcanic mountain range sculptured by the ocean currents and overlaid with centuries of rich coral growth. There are two main seasons, NE Current (Our Winter) and South West Current (Our Summer), dictated by the prevailing winds at the different times of year. Diving is good all year round, although June is liable to be more rainy due to the period of change from the NE monsoon to the SW. During the NE Monsoon the clearer water is to be found on the East side of the Atolls. Active currents bring in good predatory pelagic action, with a variety of sharks and eagle rays, particularly in the channels. At this time of year the nutrient rich waters on the West side create a perfect environment for the large plankton feeders such as Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. In the SW Monsoon the scenario is reversed, the Mantas and Whale sharks migrate to sites more on the Eastern side of the Atolls and predatory pelagic action is found in the channels on the West side.

New divers to the area may come across local terminology that they are not familiar with, here are some descriptions of different dive site features.

Channels or Kandus
These are gaps or breaks in the outer reef of the Atoll where the tidal and ocean currents wash onto and off the central lagoon, often creating a hot spot of action especially during periods of good current. It is not uncommon to see large numbers of Grey or White tip sharks or large squadrons of Eagle Rays effortless riding the incoming ocean streams in the channel mouths.

Thilas
A Thila is a submerged Coral Reef , typically with a flat surface coming to between 9 and 12 metres of the surface. The sides often have small caves and overhangs. These present some of the most interesting and exiting dive sites as they attract a huge populous of schooling fish and hard and soft coral growth. Thilas are found both inside the Atolls and in the channels.

Giris
These are generally smaller round coral reefs that come within a few metres of the surface, although still submerged. A similar rich environment to a Thila, often with caves, overhangs and swim throughs.

Out Reef
The fringing reef generally starts at around 2 metres depth, shelving down to a forty metre shoulder and then plunging into the ocean depths. Being on the outside of the Atoll the outreef is subject to passing traffic. This is where Whalesharks, Mantas, and Hammerheads and giant Tuna cruise above the deep water on the outer fringes of the Maldives.

We have provided some information about some of the many diving areas below, if you would like any more information or are ready to make a booking please call us on 0800 0728221 or email travel@scuba.co.uk.

Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviani, Noonu
The large most Northerly Atoll of the Maldives is divided into four areas:- Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviani, Noonu. There is a commercial airfield in Haa Dhaalu with regular flights to and from the capital Male some 450 kilometres to the South. Most is yet unexplored by divers, although some expeditionary trips have explored parts of Noonu. The Maldivian government have recently passed legislation allowing this area to be opened for Tourism, so there are expected to be tourist resorts here in the future, but currently this huge area can only be dived from a liveaboard.

Baa Atol
The Atoll is divided by a 3 kilometre wide channel, with big dropoffs into deep water. There are many channels on the Eastern side with excellent Coral growth. Here again there is a huge potential for discovering new dive sites as this Atoll is still relatively unexplored. There is currently only one resort situated at Sonevafushi on the South East of the Atoll.

Lhaviyani Atoll
This Atoll has many excellent channels. The Atoll is quite narrow at it’s Northern end so dives can be planned on both East and West side. Renown sites include the Kuredu Express, Fushifaru Thila and the Shipyard, final resting place of two Japanese fishing vessels. There are currently 3 resorts Kuredu, Komandoo and Guraidhoo.

Gaafaru Falhu
A small Atoll, almost enclosed by the fringing reef with three channels. There are three known wrecks on the North side.
Lady Christine, a survey vessel sunk in 1974, The Erlangen, a German cargo vessel sank 1894, and the SS Seagull, sunk in 1879.

North Male Atoll
Situated centrally in the Maldives this Atoll is home to the nations capital Male, and the international airport. The diving is varied with good channels on both the East and the West side and some remarkable Thilas. Famous sites would include Lankan Finolhu, where Mantas are reliably found in the SW monsoon season, Nassimo Thila one of the prettiest soft coral sites in the islands, Banana Reef teeming with fish, and HP reef, a beautiful nutrient rich Thila, situated on the south East side of Male.

South Male Atoll
Crossing the Vaadhoo channel from Male we come into South Male Atoll, one of the best know diving areas with many narrow channels on the East Coast and also a variety of Giris and Thilas. Popular dive locations would include Embudhoo Express, an exiting channel dive, Guraidhoo Corner known for its sharks, rays and dolphin encounters, Kandooma Thila on the outside of Cocoa Corner, with sharks turtles, excellent coral and schooling fish, and the Kuda Giri Wreck.

Rasdhoo
A small Atol North of Ari, Rasdhoo has an interesting channel dive with big tunas, barracudas and grey sharks. On the outside of Rasdhoo Madivaru it is possible to encounter hammerheads coming up from the surrounding deep water in the early morning.

Ari Atoll
Whether an enthusiastic and experienced diver or a more casual new recruit to the sport, Ari Atol has something to offer everyone. In the North East Monsoon the Mantas frequent many sites on the west side, which is also the best area for hard corals, notably table corals stacked layer upon layer. Inside the Atoll are the well know sites of Fish Head and Maaya Thila, reputed to be one of the best night dives in the Maldives. Kudarah Thila is also notable for it’s soft and hard corals and shoals of blue line snapper. In the South of the Atoll Rangali Madivaru is a huge cleaning station frequented by large numbers of Mantas in the North East Monsoon. Maamigili is where whale sharks frequently patrol the out reef year round.

Felidhoo Atol
Known for it’s spectacular channels on the North East side, Felidhoo is a favourite Atol to visit in the North East monsoon, with visability up to 40 metres and a whole range of shark action, including Hammerheads at Fushi Kandu. Another site worth a visit is Fotteyo in the East , noted for its many soft coral encrusted caves.

Further South toward the Equator are Wataru Atol, Mulaku Atol Lamu Atol and Thaa Atoll, still largely unexplored. Across the other side of the One and a half degree channel is the larger Huvadhoo Atol, which is the deepest Atoll in the Maldives. Good channel diving on both sides of the Atoll, some with huge Gorgonian forests. The Coral here is in very good condition, and this area unlike the more Northern Atolls in inhabited by Leopard Sharks. This area is best dived in the North East Monsoon.

The most Southerly Atoll in the Maldives is Addoo Atoll, with for channels an several wrecks including the British Loyalty a 5 and 1/2 thousand ton Oil tanker, torpedoed by the Japanese in 1944. There is a commercial airport at Gan, which used be a British Airforce base.