North & South Ari Atoll (Alifu Atoll)
Alifu Atoll is comprised of three geographical atolls - Ari Atoll, one of the largest atolls in the Maldives, measuring 80 kilometers in length and 30 in width, Rasdhoo Atoll and the tiny Thoddoo Atoll. If you visit a resort in Ari, you will be surprised to learn that this is one of the most highly developed tourist areas in the Maldives. This atoll also boasts some exceptionally exciting dive sites; the hammerhead point in Rasdhoo Atoll, Maaya Thila in Northern Ari Atoll which is a protected site and dive sites in the south famous for its sighting of whale sharks are just some of the highlights.
North and South Male' Atoll (Kaafu Atoll)
Kaafu Atoll consists of four geographical atolls; North and South Male’ Atoll, Gaafaru and Kaashidhoo Atolls. The atoll is located almost in the centre of the Maldives atoll chain. With 80 islands in all, only 12 are inhabited. The atoll is dotted with dive sites, many of them well known in the diving community. Manta points, interesting reef formations, coral gardens and wrecks are all part of the diving experience in these atolls. The Maldives Victory, which sank on Friday the 13th 1981 near the airport island of Hulule, is now an exciting diving attraction.
Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo Atoll)
Vaavu Atoll is comprised of two geographical atolls; the main Vaavu Atoll and the large circular atoll, 9 kilometers in diameter, Vattaru with just one uninhabited island on it. Vaavu Atoll is a true geographical wonder. It is a boot-shaped atoll and the ‘toe’, Fotteyo Muli is the easternmost point of the Maldives archipelago. In addition to this, the 55 kilometers long unbroken reef that stretches from the ‘toe’ to the ‘heel’ of the ‘boot’ is the longest reef in the Maldives. Vaavu atoll has been exposed to tourism since 1975 and the atoll has been a great favourite with safari and cruise operators. However it is more isolated and less commercialised than any of the other tourist atolls. Vaavu Atoll hosts some of the best diving in the Maldives. Fotteyo Kandu is considered by many as the best dive site in the country and one of the top five in the world. The reefs of the eastern side of the atoll are in pristine condition and are wonderful for divers and snorkellers alike. There are many thrilling shark dives in the atoll, where divers may be lucky enough to see hammerhead sharks as well as the more common grey reef sharks.
The Victory Wreck
The wreck of the Maldives Victory lies on the western side of the airport-island, Hulule, precisely near the first quarter of the southern side of the landing strip. The wreck lies parallel to the reef on the sandy sea bed at a depth of 35 meters (115 ft), upright and with the bowsprit pointing north. For more than a decade now, the superstructures have been patrolled by a large school of batfish, while a number of barracuda hover above the deck; those who swim around the wreck are provided with an escort of humphead wrasses. Large schools of fusiliers dart through the water, as a foreshadowing of the fact that in the pipes, passageways, nooks and crannies of this ship, one will encounter all of the animal species that can normally be found on reefs, and in grottoes and underwater caverns. During a number of dives, one will encounter a large sea turtle sleeping at the tip of the bowsprit of the Maldive Victory.
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This site lies on the east side of the South Male’ Atoll, outside of the reef. To be more exact, this is the south side of the channel mouth. Nearby islands are Losfushi, Guraidhoo and Kandooma. The reef top drops from ten meters (33ft) to 30 meters (100ft) and more; there are grottoes and projections just about everywhere. The edges of the channel drop down to a depth of 30 meters (100 ft). Large isolated coral blocks grow, from the scarp of the reef upward. At Guraidhoo Corner only drift dives are possible. It is therefore necessary to be quite an experienced diver |
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on the reef; all the more so because there are powerful vertical currents all around the site at certain hours of the day. The dive comes to an end along the wall of the channel or at the edge of the reef. Because of its location outside of the reef, and because of the water movements and the topography, this place is destined to be the home of larger fish. On the edges of the channel the best chances are that one will be able to observe a great many grey reef sharks and the local school of eagle rays. The latter tend to swim in the open ocean, at a considerable distance from the seabed. In this same spot large hammerhead sharks, whale sharks and sailfish have been sighted frequently. Guraidhoo corner is also home to large schools of oriental sweetlips, bannerfish and large black-and-white striped snappers. And of course the large and friendly humphead wrasses are ever present.
Banana Reef
Banana Reef lies on the eastern side of the North Male’ Atoll, inside the barrier reef. Nearby islands include Fullmoon Island, Farukolhu Fushi and Kurumba. This reef, with its elongated form, which is in fact reminiscent of a banana in shape, stretches from northeast to south over a length of some 300 meters (about a 1000 ft). Ever since scuba divers began to visit this part of the North Male’ Atoll, 20 years ago, Banana Reef has remained an ideal spot. Indeed, it seems that year after year on Banana Reef the fish population simply continues to grow. The upper section of the reef lies at a depth of just three meters (10 ft) beneath the surface of the water, but on the western side the reef plunges to a depth of 30 meters (100 ft) and more. The western side is also the best place to dive, since there are seven major coral agglomerations here that form an uncanny seascape. On Banana Reef, only drift dives are possible. The unbelievable abundance of fish and the presence of many varieties of coral are clearly the result of the virtually incessant currents, which are obviously a major factor in determining the direction of one’s dive. It is at any rate possible to halt even in the presence of the strongest currents, by taking shelter in grottoes or in the lee of enormous masses of coral. On Banana Reef, only drift dives are possible.
Kuda Rah Thila (Broken Rock)
Broken Rock lies in the southernmost corner of the Ari Atoll, on the eastern side. The closest islands are Dhangethi to the north and Dhigurah to the south. The thila, which seems to have been cleft asunder by a blow from a giant axe, is some 70 meters (230 ft) in length, and rises to a depth of some 13 meters (43 ft) beneath the surface. The remarkable aspect of this coral base is the enormous canyon that runs diagonally across the centre, from southeast to northwest. With a depth of 22 meters (72 ft), this cleft was the source of the name, Broken Rock. On the eastern side is a jutting formation with a remarkable shape, and another small plateau, at a depth of 17 meters.
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Broken Rock lies in the southernmost corner of the Ari Atoll, on the eastern side. The closest islands are Dhangethi to the north and Dhigurah to the south. The thila, which seems to have been cleft asunder by a blow from a giant axe, is some 70 meters (230 ft) in length, and rises to a depth of some 13 meters (43 ft) beneath the surface. The remarkable aspect of this coral base is the enormous canyon that runs diagonally across the centre, from southeast to northwest. With a depth of 22 meters (72 ft), this cleft was the source |
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of the name, Broken Rock. On the eastern side is a jutting formation with a remarkable shape, and another small plateau, at a depth of 17 metes.
The dive site is embellished by a great many soft corals and by a teeming and varied abundance of fish. There is always the possibility of running into a grey reef shark or two, or a school of barracuda. A mixed group of batfish and blue fusiliers are usually guests at Broken Rock, as are the many sea turtles. The jutting crags on the northeastern side are populated by a great many tiny animals. One can, of course, gain an overall idea of the various animals and corals by swimming all the way around the thila, which is eminently possible if the currents are weak
Lion’s Head
"Lion's Head" is a protected marine park situated in a channel. Subject to strong currents, this deep wall reef boasts many exciting overhangs and forms the perfect environment for a large variety of fish, ranging from small basslets, red tooth triggers and fusiliers to the larger pelagic species such as tunas, napoleon wrasses, sharks and turtles. You will encounter beautiful nudibranchs on the underside of the overhangs, magnificent sponges and some very pretty hard and soft corals covering the reef.
Kuda Haa
"Kudu" is a protected marine sanctuary shaped like a two-humped camel's back. Rising from 35 meters below the sea to six, this beautiful reef is covered in sponges and corals. The abundance of fish living here simply takes your breath away. Large schools of blue-striped snapper roam the deep; clouds of basslets, fusiliers and butterfly fish swim all over, while sharks hover in the shallow areas. You might also come across moray eels, cleaner shrimp and the rare scorpion and leaf fish. This is truly a dive you shouldn't miss when visiting the Maldives.
Girifushi Thila
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"Girifushi Thila" is one of the best known and most beautiful dive sites on this island nation. Sandwiched between two outer atoll islands, strong currents are a permanent feature making diving here very exciting, while providing plenty of nutrients for both corals and fish. This protected reef enjoys overhangs, caves and crevices rising from 30 meters below the sea to ten at the top.
Most of the reef is completely covered in yellow, blue and orange soft
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hanging corals, as well as stunning sea fans. The current attracts an astonishing variety of small reef fish and large pelagic species such as gray reef sharks, eagle rays, tunas and barracudas. To really enjoy this dive you will need to be a confident and experienced diver.
Middle Point
"Middle Point" is situated in the middle of the Tamburudhu channel and offers a drift dive for the experienced and adventurous. It rises from 100 meters below the sea to ten. When commencing your dive you will jump into the deep blue of the ocean with nothing much around you until the current takes you to the front point of the reef, where you will observe a large school of gray reef, silver tip and white tip sharks circling the deeper waters. Looking up at the surface you will discover eagle rays dancing in the current accompanied by tunas and barracudas. After some time of underwater dreaming, you can let the current carry you along the reef and enjoy the other treasures it has to offer.
Nassimo Thila
This dive takes place in the spectacular Bodu Kalki channel. "Nassimo Thila" is a large reef with imposing reef pillars standing proudly at a height of 40 meters. You will wind in and out of this bizarre underwater landscape taking in its amazing beauty. The pillars are covered in blue, yellow, red and orange soft corals and large gorgonian fans. The large overhangs of the main reef also house hundreds of different coral species, colorful sponges and thousands of fish. Large tunas, barracudas and trevallies are often found chasing small reef fish like basslets, surgeon and butterfly fish, as well as entire schools of fusiliers. Turtles and friendly napoleon wrasses can be seen here regularly too.
Okobe Thila
The "Okobe" marine reserve is one of the most awe-inspiring dive sites in the Maldives, a small thila consisting of three large rock formations. A mooring line is attached to the front of your dhoni (Maldivian word for boat) for this dive. Once you reach the bottom of the line, you will be met by a friendly and curious napoleon wrasse welcoming you to his "home". Further down, it gets difficult to see the reef, as you are surrounded by hundreds of fish. If you believe you are in an aquarium, you will be forgiven. The reef is not large but requires more than one dive if you want to take in all the beautiful corals and fish. A "must see" dive in the North Male Atoll.
Rasfari
"Rasfari" is a spectacular outer reef in the North Male Atoll. Its large sloping wall falls from ten meters below the sea to 25, levels out and then ledges off again dropping down to 90 meters. You will follow the sloping wall some 30 meters down to the reef and marvel at gray reef sharks, silver tip and white tip reef sharks circling right in front of you, while a large family of eagle rays dances in the current. Completing this magnificent show of underwater magic are some giant barracudas, tunas and napoleon wrasses, as well as schools of fusiliers, blue-striped snappers and surgeonfish.
Sunlight Thila
"Sunlight Thila" is a formation of two small reefs that attract giant manta rays between March and October, when the winds from the south carry a large amount of plankton to this area. Between the reefs lies a 70-meter long sand bottom boasting small coral formations with plenty of cleaner wrasses. During your dive you will kneel on the sand whilst watching these majestic mantas circling above you waiting for their turn to be cleaned. As it is not uncommon to see ten or more manta rays at a time, this dive has become a big attraction for both beginners and experienced divers.
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