DivingDiving at Ari atoll is considered to be the best by many professional divers, the reason being that there are many diving sites located along the boundaries of the atoll. Diving at Ari atoll is unique in that it does not have a long stretch of barrier reef. There is all year round diving at this atoll, however if one plans on spotting whale sharks May and November would be the best time, while Mantas are common between December and April.
If coral gardens, turtles and reef fish are what a diver seeks to observe Maaya Thila located on the northern part of Ari atoll and Kudah Rah Thila would be the sites to visit. Mushimasmigili also known as fish head attracts large variants of fish despite being a small reef, some of the lager species of fish found here are grey reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse. Broken rock consists of a reef split in two. Become adventurous and investigate the two ship wrecks on Ari atoll encrusted with soft corals and sponges these wrecks are home to lionfish, anthias, batfish and many other small species of fish.
Access : Speed boat or Dhoni ride from Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo.
Location : Around North Ari atoll.
Broken Rock
The dive site gets its name from the large structure with a diagonal split in the middle, the reef starts at 12 meters and drops to 25 meters. The current tends to drift the divers into place where they could observe gorgonian fans, a wide variety of vibrant soft corals that encrust the canyon. The types of fish that can be spotted in this dive site are napoleon wrasse, moray eels and turtles. 17 meters away from the canyon lays a thila that is home to schools of barracudas and blue lined snappers, during the months of May and November on rare occasions divers could spot whale sharks. Broken Rock is a dive site that should be explored by experienced divers.
Access : By speed boat from Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo.
Location : 2.5km north east of Dhigurah.
Fesdu Wreck
This wreck has been artificially sunk to encourage the growth of corals; it has been a decade since this 30 meter long fishing trawler has been sunk. The wreck is coated with tubastrea, feather stars, soft corals and a variety of sponges. The Inside of the ship has become the shelter for butterfly fish, anthias, lionfish, schools of glass fish and the large variety of fish such as red-mouthed groupers, blue-fin trevally and moray eels. Divers will be swimming around the wreck for a 360° view and thereby proceeding to a nearby thila.
Access : By speed boat from Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo.
Location : 1km southwest of Fesdu on the north side of Viligili Falhu.
Hammerhead Point
This dive site is considered to be one of the most significant sites in the Ari atoll; the site is located in Rashdoo atoll. Divers are advised to explore this site early morning; the reef consists of a ridge rising up to 10 meters and many overhangs and caverns located at 25 meters. Here one could spot schools of dolphin fish, black snappers and dog toothed tuna and as the name denotes divers will be able to see schools of hammer head sharks. This dive is challenging due to the current however the rewards are much greater.
Access : By speed boat from Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo.
Location : Around North Ari atoll.
