EXPLORATION
The variety of dive sites and the immense diversity of life hosted by the tropical reef ecosystems is what makes Maldives a truly unique place for diving, with each and every dive a unique experience, even on repetitive dives to the same location because you can never tell what you will encounter in the blue wild. In the dive sites listed below, the accompanying photos are taken by different dive professionals we trained, showcasing the sheer variety and beauty of our coral reefs.
Rasfannu Male' House-reef
Male’ is geographically located on the southern edge of North Male’ Atoll. The house-reef outside Rasfannu has spectacular growth of soft corals and abundant fish life with the channel often bringing in surprise pelagic visitors. This is the location where we conduct most of our scuba course open-water dives. Easy entry/exit from shore and no boat travel involved.
Adam Ashraf, single coral polyp.
Maldive Victory Wreck
Resting upright & slightly titled on the ocean floor, southwest of airport island Hulhule’, is the 83m freighter Maldive Victory that hit the reef carrying full load of cargo and sunk shortly afterwards on13 February 1981. The nutrient rich channel currents have since transformed the shipwreck’s metal framework into a thriving coral reef, making for a challenging yet rewarding dive for advanced divers.
Sarah Ismail, jellyfish & juvenile trevally.
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Kandu’oi Giri
Located on the southeast fringes of North Male’ Atoll, Kandu’oi-giri island houses a fish processing facility which dumps some of the fish waste near the harbor. This makes for an exciting experience diving to the island's house-reef. Moray eels, sting rays, sharks and different species of schooling tropical fish are drawn to the dive-site in abundant numbers. Hence it's common name, Fish Tank.
Hussein Soba, moray eels of all sorts.
Nassimo Thila
This protected marine area is one of the most spectacular dive sites in all of North Male' atoll. From the coral covered boulders to the north, overhangs and crevices on the main reef, to the swim-throughs to the south, all around the site are amazing soft corals, sea fans and gorgonians, attracting a wide variety of reef fish and patrolling pelagics.
Mohamed Aruzan, pretty, sexy shrimp.
Lankan Manta Point
Favored by manta rays as a cleaning station during the southwest monsoon season, mostly from mid-August to November. When mantas are present, divers must remain below them, away from the cleaning station, remain neutrally buoyant and observe them with least interruption.
Ali Zayan, manta rays mirror.
Emboodhoo Canyon
Located in South Male’ Atoll, Emboodhoo Canyon refers to the area of the reef inlet formed by a section of the reef breaking off the main reef of Emboodhoo Faru. Marine life inside the canyon is varied from the outside, and it is an exquisite dive site offering beautiful overhangs, colorful corals & abundant fish life.
Abdulla Salaam Ahmed, a curious blenny.
Emboodhoo Express
Emboodhoo Express is the southern channel of Emboodhoo Finolhu. A marine protected area, this channel is well known for its strong currents that attract large pelagics like sharks and rays. Ideal for a drift dive, the most commonly seen are white tip reef sharks, grey reef sharks and eagle rays. For advanced divers.
Mohamed Sujuan, guitarfish: ray or shark?
HP Reef
Located on south east North Male’ Atoll, HP Reef or Girifushi Thila is one of the most beautiful dive sites in Maldives. Sandwiched between two outer atoll islands, strong current carrying nutrient rich waters are a permanent feature resulting in spectacular soft corals, overhangs, caves and abundant fish life.
Sushant Joshi, turtle practicing yoga.
Maagiri Caves
The north side of Maagiri reef feature large overhangs where nurse sharks and sting rays are often found, taking shelter inside the caves. Large schools of fish congregate close to the eastern side of the Giri, especially when the current is coming in the channel. A lively, colorful reef suitable for beginners.
Mohamed Visham, ghost shrimp hides well.
Bandos Rock
Located on the eastern house-reef of Bandos Island, Bandos Rock stands a few meters away from the reef, rising from 20m to 12m, creating a nice canyon for divers to swim through. The main reef has large table corals, several overhangs and abundant tropical fish & sharks, especially black tip reef sharks seen at 25m.
Markin Ishaq, ornate ghost pipefish.
Vaadhoo Caves
Vaadhoo Island is located on the northern edge of South Male’ Atoll. On the north side of the house-reef, facing the ocean currents from Vaadhoo Kandu, is part of reef with multiple overhangs, caves and a swim-through, called Vaadhoo Caves. A beautiful, impressive drift dive but challenging if the current is strong.
Ibrahim Nashiu, iconic pair of symbiosis.
Kuda Haa Thila
Kuda Haa is a marine protected area in North Male’ Atoll, shaped like two humps of a camel, referring to two steep thilas, one rising up to 8m and the other peaking at 15m, both connected by a ridge. This site is recognized for the prolific fish life & the sheer diversity of fish that are seen here. Strong currents.
Ali Riffath, dolphins at the safety stop.
Kurumba Wall
A marine reserve located inside the Bodu Kalhi Kandu east of Bandos, Okkobe Thila consists of three large rock formations. Suitable for advance divers as strong currents tend to sweep the site. It is a spectacular site with colorful soft corals, sea fans, large schools of reef fish and prolific fish life.
Hussain Rafaal, round ribbon-tail stingray.
Okkobe Thila
Located inside the North Male’ Atoll, the house-reef of Kurumba Island starts from 1-2m & slopes down to 10-30m to the sandy bottom below. The wall dive is sheltered from currents and is suitable for students and beginners. Tropical fish such as schooling batfish, moray eels, lionfish and groupers are observed here.
Farish Mohamed, turtle glides gracefully.
Banana Reef
The first dive-site to be discovered in Maldives, Banana Reef is a protected marine site located inside the atoll. Suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike, the overhangs, soft corals, canyons and big schools of fusiliers, oriental sweet lips and snappers make it a fabulous dive site.
Hussain Haleem, always friendly batfish.
Feydhoo Wall
Feydhoo Finolhu is in North Male’ Atoll. The house-reef is a straight wall down to about 35m, covered with soft corals, sponges and dotted with lots of crevices and holes. It is an easy wall dive suitable for students and beginners. Many different species can be observed.
Ahmed Shifzan, graceful eagle ray.
Kiki Reef
Located on the southwest edge of North Male’ Atoll facing the Vaadhoo Kandu, Kiki Reef is set back into a large cavity in the reef. The sheltered reef offers a spectacular wall dive suitable for students and beginners. Overhangs, a long swim-through, caves and ledges thriving with diverse invertebrates and prolific fish life.
Shahfaan Waseem, pretend-moray comet.
Back Faru
Located in northeast side of Farukolhufushi house-reef, an island lying on southeast edge of North Male’ Atoll, Back Faru offers an easy drift dive as it is well protected from strong winds during the southwest monsoon season, and also because it’s not greatly affected by the currents. Many surprise encounters from the deep ocean.
Hammad Abbas, biggest fish whaleshark.