Ari Atoll

One of the best places to see large pelagics. From hammerheads to mantas the ‘atoll is your oyster’

Located on the west side of the Maldives, Ari Atoll hosts approximately 105 small and unique islands each offering some of the most amazing and fascinating diving in the country.

Insider's View

Ari Atoll is one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, located in the western area of the archipelago this part of the Maldives can be easily accessed and is roughly a 30-minute seaplane journey for the capital Male.

Separated into North and South atolls it offers a very distinctive experience for divers, once under the surface you will realise why Ari Atoll is the second most popular destination in the Maldives for divers. The usual barrier reefs that make up many of the other atoll’s topography are replaced by beautiful thilas and kandus, (submerged pinnacles and channels) perfect for drift diving and which attract many large pelagic including whale sharks, manta rays and hammerhead sharks.

The most renowned dive sites in this region are Maaya Thila and Fish Head, Maaya Thila can be suitable for beginners but has variable current. The highpoint starts at 6 metres and gently slopes to 12 metres, here you can delight in an array of nudibranchs, frog fish and zebra morays. From there it drop-offs to 30 metres, where divers can expect to see schooling fish, graceful formations of eagle ray and even the guitar shark!

Fish Head is suited to intermediate and advanced divers as it is quite a deep dive, with unpredictable current. This magical coral hill reaches gracefully from the sandy bottom with depths of 10 to 35 metres, there are caves scattered around the pinnacle and it is covered in black coral bushes, whip coral and gorgonians. Resident reef sharks will be hanging around at about 10 metres, an abundance of colourful fish and turtles will be gliding around this amazing dive spot.

Insider's View

OUR HOLIDAY PRODUCTS

Advanced

Jan - Dec

14 nights

Pelagic

From £4955

Maldives Diving Adventure

Maldives, Male Atoll

Combining a week onboard a great liveaboard with a week in a resort makes the ideal gateway to the Maldives as you will have the opportunity to experience both worlds.

  • Whalesharks & manta rays
  • Resort & liveaboard combination
  • Ideal for couples
  • beautiful reefs

4 Stars

Jan - Dec

13 Hours

Advanced

From £2895

Veligandu Island Resort & Spa

Maldives, Ari Atoll

Veligandu Island Resort located on the island of Veligandu is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon, an excellent house reef and long stretches of white, sandy beach. A paradise waiting to be explored.

  • Located in North Ari Atoll
  • Private island resort
  • Paradise on earth
  • 91 beach & water bungalows
  • Spa facilities available
  • House reef diving available

4 Stars

Jan - Dec

13 Hours

Advanced

From £1800

Ellaidhoo Maldives By Cinamon

Maldives, Ari Atoll

Experience paradise at Ellaidhoo Maldives offering superb accommodation and an exceptional house reef teeming with exotic fish and mesmerising gentle giants such as turtles, sting rays and sharks!

  • Located in North Ari Atoll
  • Private island resort
  • Choice of rooms or bungalows
  • Dive & Sail diving centre on-site
  • Ideal for families and groups
  • World renowned house reef

4 Stars

Jan - Dec

13 Hours

Advanced

From £1750

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Maldives, Ari Atoll

The Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa surrounded by a beautiful lagoon offers you an enticing blend of fun, relaxation and luxury in a setting of extraordinary natural magnificence.

  • Located on South Ari Atoll
  • Beautiful House Reef
  • Euro Divers on-site
  • Private Island Resort
  • 180 Beach & Water Villas
  • Choice of restaurants & bars

Marcelina

Saturday, 23 April 2016

Roberts, A 14 nights in the Maldives

14 nights at the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa with diving

Roberts, A 14 nights in the Maldives

Serena Spa


Tour Type: Soft & Easy

Serena Spa is an oasis of peace and tranquillity set in a natural environment.

Love Boat Sailing


Tour Type: Boat Trip

Romatic Sunset Sail for a couple.

Dhangethi Island Excursion


Tour Type: Cultural Tours

Morning Trip to Dhangethi Island. Experience the culture and explore the local shops.

Destination Fact File

One of the best places to see large pelagics. From hammerheads to mantas the ‘atoll is your oyster’

Air Temperature

Water Temperature

Destination Details

Internal Flights & Luggage Ari Atoll on the west side of the Maldives is accessed by resort seaplanes or speedboats. These journeys are limited to the international airline standard luggage allowance of 20kg check in plus 7kg hand luggage.
Transfer Information You will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to the resort. Transfer times are as follows: From Male to South Ari Atoll: 25 minutes by seaplane From Male to North Ari Atoll: 25 minutes by seaplane; 2 hours by speedboat
Dive Season The best months to visit the wonders of Ari Atoll to dive are from December to May during the dry northeast monsoon. This brings the calmest seas and with gentle breezes it will feel like paradise. The wet southeastern monsoon season stretches from June to November where you can expect stronger winds and rain. Even with these differing climates the temperature generally stay between a comfortable 30°C to 32°C with the water temperatures averaging between 26°C to 29°C. The visibility whilst diving is normally around 30 metres in the high season.

Save 25% Dive the World Club Weeks on Maldives Agressor liveaboard

For over 30 years, each Aggressor yacht has offered 25% off. Dive the World weeks to reward guests. These weeks are announced once a year and get booked up early. Give us a call today and book your space.

Book your Maldives Aggressor with Ultimate Diving and save 25% on the below listed weeks.
15/04/2019 to 25/04/2019 or 16/05/2019 to 23/05/2019

Early Bird Offer

Maldives, Ari Atoll

Get 20% discount from your hotel cost for all new bookings in Beach Villa, Jacuzzi Beach Villa and Jacuzzi Water Villa room categories, for bookings made from the 01/01/2018 to the 28/02/2018 for stays from 01/05/2018 thru and including the night of Sunday 30/09/2018.

Get 20% discount on hotel prices.

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa - Upgrade from Full Board to All inclusive Plus

Maldives, Ari Atoll

Fancy a diving holidays to the Maldives? Check this offer and call us today to book this amazing holiday!

Get saving on your trip to the Resort Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa.

Save 15% on the liveaboard Adora

MV Adora is the 123 ft long luxury yacht, latest addition to the Maldives dive industry, It provides maximum tranquillity at sea.

Get saving 15% on this liveaboard!

Save 15% at the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Maldives, Ari Atoll

15 % discount on all room categories

Traveling between 01/05/2019 to 30/09/2019.

Book between 12/04/2019 to 31/05/2019

15% Early Bird on Veligandu Island Resort & Spa

Maldives, Ari Atoll

Save 15% on your diving holidays to the Maldives

Book from between 01/06/2019 to 30/06/2019.

Stay between 27/06/2019 to 30/09/2019.

7 Nights at the Villamendhoo Island Resort from £1960 pp

Maldives, Ari Atoll

The Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa surrounded by a beautiful lagoon offers you an enticing blend of fun, relaxation and luxury in a setting of extraordinary natural magnificence.

Book 7 nights at the Vilamendhoo Island Resort from £1960 including flights, transfers and accommodation on full board basis