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.
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.
Advanced
Jan - Dec
14 nights
Pelagic
From £4955
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.
4 Stars
13 Hours
From £2895
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.
From £1800
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!
From £2995
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.
Saturday, 23 April 2016
14 nights at the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa with diving
Tour Type: Soft & Easy
Serena Spa is an oasis of peace and tranquillity set in a natural environment.
Tour Type: Boat Trip
Romatic Sunset Sail for a couple.
Tour Type: Cultural Tours
Morning Trip to Dhangethi Island. Experience the culture and explore the local shops.