A Protected Marine Area, this offers one of the best-known dives in the Maldives. There is a remarkable variety of marine life on the thila, including grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, turtles, stonefish, frogfish, zebra morays, batfish and many, many more species. At the edge of the thila, where there is a large coral overhang full of bright orange Tubastrea corals.The top of the rock, at 15m (50ft), is covered in colourful soft corals. The vertical side of the rock drops down to the atoll plate at 40m (130ft). In this channel between the satellite rock and the thila, grey reef sharks often patrol and we have seen guitar shark here on a number of occasions.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 40m

Madi means ‘ray’ in Dhivehi. In the northeast season this is a superb manta ray cleaning station. As with many good manta points, the reef slopes down gently from its top at 8m (25ft) to the atoll floor at 30m (100ft). Although there are many cleaning stations along this 1km reef, the area where the mantas are most active is midway along the northern side. This site attacts mantas, which hover like great spaceships in the current. To the east of the basin the reef forms a wall which drops steeply down to the sand floor at 30m (100ft). At a depth of 25m (80ft) there is a large cave running along the reef for 200m (220yd).

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30m

The topography here is quite complex. The thila is divided into four large coral heads, of varying sizes, that sit on a plateau rising from 40m (130ft) to 12m (40ft). The thila is no more than 100m (110yd) in diameter, and you can swim around the whole site in a single dive. Each of the blocks is undercut from 15m (50ft) to 25m (80ft) with superb caves jammed full of soft corals, gorgonians and whip corals.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 25m

Beside Kudarah Thila this is most probably the most, well known dive site in south-Ari atoll. A 2m wide Canyon splits this small thila in two parts, from the west towards east side, which gives this reef its name. This Canyon is the main attraction, on this wonderful submerged reef, covered in soft corals. On the north side at a depth of around 25-30m are two big coral blocks with overhangs, and beautiful fan corals which (torchlight recommended!) are well worth a visit. The top reef has intact hard coral growth and with some luck, even a leaf fish can be spotted along with a variety of marine life. Depth and strong currents make this thila suitable for experienced divers only - watch your no-decompression limits!

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 35m

The most famous dive site in south Ari-Atoll and has already, in 1995, become a “Protected Marine Area.” A wonderful small reef, with lot’s of soft corals and an abundant fish life makes all dives an unforgettable experience. There is an arch to dive through on the west side and the two big overhangs on the east side are typical marks on this unique dive site. Thousands of blue stripped snappers cover the reef like a yellow carpet and big blue fin jack fish can be watched while hunting the smaller fusiliers. Also white tip reef sharks can sometimes be seen. Definitely one of the best dive sites in south Ari-Atoll!

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth:

Banana Reef, named after the C-shape of the reef is around 100 meters in length. The reef is in front of the channel where fresh current enriches the reef with plankton it carries attracting also pelagic.The most exciting part of the reef is at the north-eastern side of the reef where big spectacular rocks starting from a depth of 30 meters rising up to 12 meters below the surface. Schools of Banner fish can be seen just at the start of the dive, the dog-toothed tuna and several species of Jackfish can be seen chasing their next pray. As you drift, the reef slopes down and after few minutes you will drift in the biggest overhang in Banana Reef where the top starts at 10m and drops to 20m. This overhang is fully covered with soft coral on its ceiling, huge schools of Blue line snappers is always inside letting you approach them very closely. It is both suitable for beginners and the most experienced divers and is a photographers’ heaven.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30m

The Hathaa Giri is located in the nice inner reef and has many giant clams, turtles, red anemones, schools of banner fish, fusiliers. The journey from Hakura resort to this dive site is about 15 minutes.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30m

The Guraidhoo Corner lies on the east side of the South Male’ Atoll, outside of the reef. Nearby islands are Losfushi, Guraidhoo and Kandooma. On the edges of the channel, at depths ranging from 25 to 30 meters, you will have the best chances to observe great many grey reef sharks, local school of eagle rays, large hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and. Guraidhoo Corner is also home to large schools of oriental sweetlips, bannerfish and large black-and-white striped snappers.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30m

The Maamigili Faru is located South Ari Atoll on the outer corner of Maamigili. This shallow platform extends from the corner to the outer atoll rim giving you the opportunity to see sharks, groupers, pelagics, stingrays and turtles.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30

The square-shaped reef is about 80 metres wide and can be circled in one dive if divers wish, providing the current is not too strong. There are ledges and caves at different depths around much of the reef and for the most part, there is a big undercut from about 25 to 30 metres before the reef tapers to the bottom slopes. The north and north west sides have a particular interesting landscape at reasonably shallow depths, making it ideal for the less experienced diver, while at depth, are caves with all the usual features including sea fans and black coral bushes. Divers tend to stay shallower at Fish Head, hovering around the reef edge at about 15 metres as this gives the best all round view of a family of about 20 resident grey reef sharks.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30m

Banana Reef is an infamous site, mainly because it was the first dive site to be discovered in the Maldives but also because it has something for everyone and today it still carries on to be one of the most popular in the area. The dive, which ranges in depth from 5 to 30 meters, has several fascinating features comprising of a pinnacle, caves and some overhangs. Coral formations here are abundant and colourful, attracting an extensive variety of fish, including powder blue tang, squirrelfish, morays, napoleon wrasse, bannerfish and oriental sweetlips. Larger pelagic such as sharks, barracuda and groupers swim the waters and currents can be strong at points so it is best to stay close to the reef.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30 meters

Large and shallow plateaus (10 - 20 ft) on the west side of the atoll, right next to the wide lagoon of Rasfari. It is covered with hard corals and hosts a cleaning station during the northeast monsoon. The most common way to do the dive here is to start on top of the reef, which is protected from the currents and after spending some time with the mantas continue the dive towards the wall that drops down to about 75 feet. The wall is nicely covered with hard corals, rich with fish life and popular with turtles.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

One of the channel dives that you don’t want to miss. With strong incoming current the list of possible encounters is impressive. Mainly grey reef sharks but also whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleons and tunas are quite common and with the visibility reaching 120 feet during the northeast monsoon it can be the highlight of the trip.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

This channel comparing to other channels in this area offers more technical conditions to observe big schools of grey reef sharks. The center of the channel is the place to be.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

The place is known for its cleaning station hosting manta rays all year long. There are a few coral reefs a bit shallower, which are also considered cleaning stations and mantas can be seen there quite often.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

This place offers one of the most incredible drift dives in the the archipelago. Unlike other atolls in the Maldives this one has no lagoon. Surrounded by depths in the middle of the Indian Ocean the site offers unique conditions to encounter species like tiger sharks, oceanic mantas, mola mola, thresher sharks, hammerheads, grey reef sharks and other big fish.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

Scuba diving the Maldives' Baa Atoll is to scuba dive in one of the greatest biospheres on Earth. The region harbors significant biodiversity of reef animals, hard and soft corals, reef fish species, turtles, manta rays and any number of shark species. Baa Atoll scuba diving is also famous for offering one of the largest gathering of manta rays worldwide.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

Explore the captivating underwater world of North Male Atoll with its renowned dive sites like Lankan Manta Point and Fish Factory. Encounter vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life including mantas, sharks, and colorful reef fish, making it a diver's paradise.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

The famous Hanifaru Bay, which is known locally as Vandhumaafaru Adi, is thought to be one the few places in the world where whale sharks congregate in to mate, although recent research suggests otherwise with the vast majority of the whale sharks seen there being young males. The bay also regularly sees some of the largest gatherings of Manta rays worldwide with up to one hundred individuals in the small inlet when the tide pushes plankton into the bay.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

Also known as 'Big Shark Channel', this is another top dive site and certainly lives up to its name. Dropping in at the south eastern corner you keep the reef on your left until you reach the drop off at the channel entrance which is approximately 30 metres deep. This site features small caves and numerous overhangs, and there is a sloping section on the left side of the channel covered in hard coral and some soft coral.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30

Thaa Atoll (also known as Kolhumadulu) is among the least visited dive destinations in the Maldives. This round atoll has a combined landmass close to nine kilometres, with no single island larger than a square kilometre. The mesmerizingly beautiful series of 66 tiny islands that make up the atoll are surrounded by spectacularly clear water with underwater wonders and beauty yet to be discovered. Some dives have strong currents but this brings in the pelagic such as Hammerheads, Whale Sharks and dolphins especially at night. Expect large reefs, coral gardens, steep walls and overhangs plus action packed channels.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

Laamu Atoll (also known as Haddhunmathi Atoll) is an oval shaped southern atoll. It measures 48 km in length and 35 km in width, and has some of the top dive sites in the world such as Guraidhoo and Gan; this Maldives Atoll is situated 32 southeast of Kolhumandulu Atoll and 95 km north of Huvadhoo Atoll. Laamu Atoll boasts numerous pristine dive sites with many different features like caves, steep drop offs, swim-throughs, not to mention the abundance of marine life and beautiful topography. Expect beautiful fish-filled channels with great shark encounters.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

The high concentration of plankton present in these waters gathers a large number of filter feeders, including the large manta rays. Some swim alone, but most are in groups of three, five, eight, even fifteen, twenty advancing in single file forming long undulating ribbons. Plenty of colourful coral structures can be seen with clown fish swimming between the tectacles of orange anemones. The synchronous and harmonic movement of a school of hundreds of yellow snappers is a beautiful view and you may even spot a turtle.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

11km of reef stretches along the south of Ari Atoll, which is home to whalesharks coming up for a feed. Thought to be a 'nursery' for whalesharks, the South of Ari Atoll is a place where you can find juvenile whalesharks all year round.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

Grey reef sharks are common visitors at Guriadhoo Kandu when the currents are incoming, along with several pelagic species and eagle rays.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

Grey Reef Sharks and large pelagics can be seen at this site as well as manta rays, Napoleon Wrasse Eagle Rays and Sailfish.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 18

Expect to see Napoleons, turtles, moray eels and a lot of reef fish. In the blue water pegalics can often be seen passing by. There are caves and overhangs with walls packed full of yellow, blue, pink and white soft coral.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 32

The sandy bays here are sometimes known as 'Manta Road' as this is where they mostly gather for cleaning. On one point there is a lhuge cave at 17 meters that divers can look into. On many occasions, nurse sharks have been spotted in this cave and on the top reef underneath blocks. It is not uncommon to see 10 or more manta rays at a time.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 25

This site is located opposite the similarly named island & features a slope. There are a large number of cavern-like overhangs between 20 & 40m depth from which this site is named. These overhangs are densely covered in blue & yellow soft coral as well as black coral. Nurse sharks can often be found resting here. Stingrays can often be seen on the slopes & if one looks closely, there are numerous nudibranchs also to be found.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 40

This site is a cleaning station located on the rays' migration route. The site is accessible throughtout the year and is an active site. The main cleaning station is at the bottom of the sloping reef. You will be able to spot rays around the main pinnacle but also at depths farther north or south.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30

Located on the southeast outer reef of Lankanfinolhu Island in North Male atoll in Maldives, Lankan Manta point is a dive site among the most famous Manta rays cleaning station. The large block of coral at a depth of 10 to 18meters is where the rays come during the southwest monsoon and outgoing currents to get cleaned by wrasses. Easy to access and adapted to beginners, this popular dive site is often visited by many cruise ships and divers, and can even become over-visited sometimes.
Even though Manta rays are the main reason divers come to Lanka Manta Point, you can also encounter whitetip sharks, lobsters and humphead wrasses.

It is recommended to enter the water ahead in the current to avoid disturbing the rays. A building on the coast will indicate the location of the cleaning station. When the current is strong, do not stay at the surface for too long.
Divers can drift with the current toward the rays’ cleaning station, but it is mandatory to remain away from the cleaning area without crossing it.
The North reef is made of a gentle slope, but the South reef gets steeper and hosts many humphead wrasses and turtles.

Outgoing currents can cause turbulence that may push divers offshore. It is recommended to remain close to the reef to avoid that.

As the most famous manta cleaning station, this site can also get too crowded sometimes. It may be interesting to consider going to other sites in the surroundings, where rays can also be spotted.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 20m

Gaafaru Atoll is a small island on the important shipping route, which is surrounded by numerous shipwrecks. The main dive sites around here are the SS Seagull (a giant sunken steamship with an anchor at 6m/20ft, boilers and stern at 30m/98ft), Lady Christine (a sunken iron vessel with a drop down at 50m/164ft, overhangs and caves) and Erlangen (almost intact shipwreck with the hull at 50m/164ft).

The best season for diving at Gaafaru Atoll (Maldives) is from January to May, while June is usually not recommended. The water temperature averages 27-28C/81-82F, and the air is generally 29-31C/84-88F.

The shipwrecks of the Gaafaru Atoll dive sites serve as home to nurse sharks, Napoleon wrasses, moray eels, rays, grouper, and lots of crustaceans. Sometimes divers may even spot a hawksbill turtle.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 55m

The island of Gan lies just south of the equator. It is part of Addu Atoll, the southernmost atoll in the Maldives. This atoll is the second most densely populated region of the country after Male' the capital. Gan is 5km long by 3km wide making it the largest island in the atoll. Twenty kilometres of man-made causeways link Gan and the other islands of the Western Lagoon into a continuous chain.

During the Second World War, Gan became an important air base for the British RAF. Tensions arising from the Cold War led Britain to maintain a strategic presence here until 1976. Reminders of the British influence on these islands can still be seen today in the landscaping and in the style of buildings.

At the Equator Village resort 78 bungalows are beautifully integrated into a luxuriant tropical garden of flowering bushes and trees. All the rooms are very spacious and equipped with air conditioning, a fridge and hot showers. The hotel has an open-air restaurant, a bar and a television room. Other facilities on offer include tennis courts, a billiard room with full-size billiard table, and a freshwater swimming pool with poolside bar. Bicyles are available for rent, offering an ideal way to make your own exploratory tour of Gan and the neighbouring islands. Equator Village is the only resort on the atoll and is located just 1km from Gan airport.

Gan is not a typical Maldives beach resort set on an isolated private island. Instead, guests have the opportunity to explore the area and freely visit the friendly local communities on the neighbouring islands. They only ask that you show the proper respect for local customs. While there is lots to see on land, it is the underwater attractions that bring divers back to Addu Atoll again and again.

Divers looking for large, colourful coral colonies of all species and forms will not be disappointed. Addu Atoll was lucky to have been spared the effects of the coral bleaching of 1998 that other reefs in the Maldives are still recovering from. Divers keen to see some of our larger underwater wildlife will find much to quicken their pulse. Addu Atoll is one of the few places in the Maldives where giant manta rays, with wingspans of 5 metres plus, can be found throughout the year. The channels and outer reefs of this atoll are also home to a number of shark species, hawksbill and green turtles, and abundant schools of large fish. For the wreck diver we have the "British Loyalty", largest shipwreck in all the Maldives. This 143m oil tanker was torpedoed twice by enemy submarines during World War II, but survived to be scuttled by the British themselves in January 1946. It now lies on sandy ground below the sheltered waters on the inside of the atoll. At depths of 16-33m it offers us perfect wreck diving conditions. There is excellent coral growth with healthy colonies of both hard and soft corals.

At Diverland we make sure that divers of all levels get their money's worth. We happily cater to the needs of experienced divers, as well as complete beginners and those who want to advance their dive training. Our team of PADI instructors offer a full range of dive courses from the entry-level Open Water Diver certification up to professional Divemaster. If you are leading a dive group please contact us in advance of your arrival so that we can let you know about our special group rates.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 25m

Fuvahmulah (also known as Fua Mulaku and Poue Molluque) is the second-largest one-island atoll in the southern part of the Maldives. Visitors can get to the island by air or by sea, using the local liveaboard’s itinerary. Pristine diverse nature is represented here by tropical woodlands and wetlands, with rare birds and dense vegetation, freshwater lakes, marshland areas with thick vegetation, white-sand and pebble beaches, the biggest on the Maldives fertile lands of humus, mango, pineapple and orange trees. There are also several shrines, such as the Muslim mosque Gemmiskiy and the Buddhism stupa ruin called the Havitta. The place is also famous for a natural phenomenon known as Bissaaveli, where part of the beach sand moves away from the shore towards the edge of the reef, creating a lagoon, enclosed by sand and the shore of the island. Fuvahmulah became open to foreigners not long ago. That means it offers opportunities to dive at the barely touched reefs and stay in quite new hotels (developed starting in 2013). The most popular dive sites include Raazwa Faru (Fuvahmulah South), Thoondu (Fuvahmulah North), Rasgefannu, and the best spot for both diving and snorkeling, Neregando Fannu.

Divers can dive at Fuvahmulah throughout the year, with an average water temperature of about 26-29C/79-84F. During the hot and dry period from December to May, the water temperature falls to 24C/75F in some places. Short, heavy rains may occur from June to July.

Thresher sharks, tiger sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, and many other smaller fish can be seen here.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 40m

Located north of Kandooma Island, this beautiful pinnacle lies at the bottom of a channel, with its top reef at 12m descending to around 40 meters deep on all sides. The eastern and northern sides are the most interesting with many overhangs and colourful soft corals. The many species you can spot there include big schools of fish, eagle rays, whitetip sharks, green turtles and grey reef sharks. During incoming currents, this fauna is mostly found on the plateau between the thila and the ocean. During outgoing currents, most sharks will be found around their cleaning station.

During outgoing currents, it is recommended for divers to place themselves at the Jack Corner, which is located in front of the thila at a wide overhang. The grey reef sharks’ cleaning station is marked by a distant block in the last part of the dive. Divers can end their exploration around the top reef where eagle rays and green turtles can be spotted. This dive site is accessible throughout the year but conditions can be very difficult. During outgoing currents, divers tend to be pulled to the bottom. They should not explore the cleaning station without at least 80 bars in the tank and being closed to the non-decompression limit.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30m

Located in Meemu. Thuvaru North is a channel site, located opposite the similarly named island in the south. The north side offers a pleasant dive with marine life typical of the Maldives. Encounters with sharks resting on the sandy bottom & a variety of other reef fish along the edge of the channel, are possible. Depth: 12 - 50m

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Advanced Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 50m

Fushi Kandu has a fantastic channel with a relatively shallow entrance at 15m allowing for an extended channel dive, which permits crossing the channel to maximise the sightings. This dive site is commonly described as Fish Soup, and it rarely disappoints with its resident grey reef sharks, barracuda, big eye jacks, and abundant fish life.

• Dive Type: Boat Dive
• Diver Level: Open Water Diver
• Max Depth: 30m