The islands of the Indian Ocean are a varied collection, including many of the smallest territories in the world. Many hug the coastlines of continents; others must be sought out hundreds of miles from any other land.
The atoll’s resort has scuttled two wrecks (traditional dhoni) on its house reef. At a depth of 98 feet (30 meters), it’s the perfect place to complete your advanced training. The channels can be challenging, mantas can be seen all year, and an occasional whale shark visits the atoll’s waters.Located on the inner atoll is Repeater’s Paradise. It gets its name because...
Dhaalu Atoll’s scuba is perfect for beginners due to its wider channels and shallower drop-offs. But advanced divers can still explore greater depths and enjoy the thrill of drift diving in stronger currents.On the inside of the lagoon, on Lohi Island, is a cave dive that is suitable for both beginners and advanced divers. During stronger currents, it’s...
As this area is unchartered, your dive operator will be able to provide details of any known dive sites. However, a characteristic of the northern atolls is the wider and shallower channels. This reduces currents and makes the scuba suited to beginners as well as advanced divers. Beginners, however, won’t be able to dive unchartered sites until the currents are known...
The channels in the Haa Alif Atoll are much wider, and shallower, than in the rest of the Maldives. This reduces the currents and makes diving suited to beginners. It’s the perfect dive location for beginners to progress and experience the excitement of drift diving with sharks in the atoll’s channels.In the south-west is the Filadhoo Wreck. It rests at just 46 feet...
The atoll’s central lagoon is 40 miles (65km) across at its widest point and up to 279 feet (85 meters) deep. The substantial outer reef forms a natural barrier to the ocean’s currents, and diving options are available for both beginners and advanced divers. The atoll’s diverse topography includes caves, steep drop-offs and pristine reefs.There are numerous dive...
Featuring wild drifts in deep channels, wrecks and caves, the South Male Atoll is home to large pelagics and interesting environs. On the eastern side, there are six channels that feed all sorts of marine life into the atoll’s dive sites. While reef life isn’t as complete here as in nearby Ari or North Male, divers still flock to the area for its challenging elements...
The Noonu Atoll offers diving for all levels of experience but is better suited to intermediate divers. If you’re staying on the atoll, then beginners will have the opportunity to progress and experience the thrill of challenging drift dives.Located on the outer reef of the atoll’s southern tip is the Raafushi dive – suitable for all levels. The top of the reef is 10...
With colorful coral, deep wrecks and feeding manta rays, the North Male Atoll is a diving wonderland. This atoll is home to the most visited dive sites in the Maldives. Whatever your desire, you’re sure to find something to fit your needs in the North Male Atoll.Maldives Victory Wreck, widely regarded as the most popular dive site in the North Male Atoll, is a 328...
The atoll’s inner reefs offer deeper depths for advanced divers. There aren’t many channels on the eastern side, and this reduces currents. Beginners will have plenty of dive sites to choose from. One of the atoll’s top dive sites is found on a reef at Mulee Island. During the south-west monsoon (May to December) it’s common to spot mantas with their offspring...
Raa’s diving is popular due to the high density of thilas (submerged islands) located inside its lagoon. The marine life amongst the caves, overhangs and drop-offs is diverse. Fenfushi Thila is in the south of the atoll. The top of the pinnacle starts at 10 feet (3 meters). As you descend, you’ll see anemone coral and masked bannerfish with zebra stripes and yellow...