DivingThe north Male' atoll has many dive sites that have been explored by many divers; these diving sites have a variety of corals and marine creatures. North Male’ atoll has many reefs, drop offs and caves that add value to the diving experience, moreover divers could spot many species of large fish such as sharks and mantas. A few ship wrecks that have taken place in this region provide many of the artificial reefs that have been formed; there are also various types of natural corals and many species of reef fish that makes the diving experience interesting.
The best season for diving would be from June to October and December to March as in these months visibility is extremely high. Some of the species of fish that can be seen in these diving and snorkelling expeditions would include frogfish, Hammerheads, triggerfish, grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and eagle rays. Some of the renowned dive sites located in north Male atoll are old sharks point, banana giri, Hans Haas place, Lion’s head, Manta point, Okobe thila, Miyaru Faru and Maldives victory.
Access : By speed boat or Dhoni from Chaaya Island Dhonveli.
Location : Around the North Male' Atoll.
Lion's Head
A protected marine park located at the south end of North Male' Atoll is considered to be one of the most popular dive sites. It is the perfect natural environment for an array of fish such as small basslets, fusiliers and red tooth triggers. Larger types of fish such as tunas, napoleon wrasses, sharks and turtles also find the crevices of coral a perfect location to hunt. On the underside of the overhangs divers could spot various species of vibrant nudibranchs, sea fans hard and soft corals covering the reef as well as magnificent sponges. The dive site derives its name from the coral outcrop that is shaped like a lion's head.
Access : By speed boat or Dhoni from Chaaya Island Dhonveli.
Location : Southern end of North Male Atoll.
Kuda Haa
Located to the south west of the north Male' atoll Kuda haa provides a site for all year round diving. In Dhivehi 'Kudu' refers to a protected marine sanctuary that is shaped like a two-humped camel's back. This Kudu is covered in a variety of sponges. The abundance of fish living amidst the coral will guarantee that divers get the opportunity to spot several species. The most commonly spotted are large schools of blue-striped snappers, butterfly fish, basslets and fusiliers. If lucky divers could also observe leaf fish, cleaner shrimp, moray eels, and the rare scorpion.
Access : By speed boat or Dhoni from Chaaya Island Dhonveli.
Location : South Western side of North Male Atoll.
Girifushi Thila
One of the renowned and most beautiful dive sites in Maldives. Thila refers to a submerged pinnacle and the site is sandwiched between two islands which results with strong currents that make diving at this site extremely adventurous and exciting. The existence of the strong currents results with plenty of nutrients for corals and fish.
This reef comprises of overhangs, caves, crevices and boulders that rises from 30 meters the shallowest part of the thila is at 12 meters just off the island of Himmafushi. The reef houses a variety of yellow, blue, orange and pink soft corals which are flanked by black corals and stunning sea fans. The strong currents that result with more nutrients attracts a large number of colourful reef fish and from the larger variety gray reef sharks, barracudas, eagle rays and tunas. This dive site is conducive to experienced and qualified divers.
Access : By speed boat or Dhoni from Chaaya Island Dhonveli.
Location : South East North Male Atoll.
Middle Point
Another dive site for the experienced diver seeking adventure, this site is located on to the south east of North Male atoll offers all year round diving. Middle point is located at the centre of the Tamburudhu channel and is ideal for drift diving. The site rises from 100 meters below the sea to ten; Divers will take plunge into the deep blue sea and then will be guided to the reef by the current. Large schools of fish such as gray reef sharks, silver tip sharks and white tip sharks roam the waters as tunas, eagle rays and barracudas swim with the currents. The average visibility of middle point would be 20 - 40 meters.
Access : By speed boat or Dhoni from Chaaya Island Dhonveli.
Location : South East North Male Atoll.
Nassimo Thila
Located south east to the North Male atoll the reef has an average visibility of 20-30 meters. This dive takes place at the channel of Bodu Kalki. Nassimo Thila consists of reef pillars that ascend up to 40 meters, divers obtain the opportunity to zigzag through these imposing reef pillars which are encrusted with gorgonian fans as well as blue, yellow, orange and red soft corals. Various species of corals, sponges and different fish roam about overhangs of the main reef. Basslets, surgeon, butterfly fish, and fusiliers are chased by the larger species of tunas, barracudas and trevallies. Turtles and friendly napoleon wrasses often roam around the reef.
Access : By speed boat or Dhoni from Chaaya Island Dhonveli.
Location : South East North Male Atoll.
Okobe Thila
The reef consists of three mounds or rock formations covered with an array of corals. The coral reef is located within the atoll to the west of Lankanfushi, the coral mounds start at 10 meters and descends down to 25 meters. Divers reach this site by a mooring line that is attached to the front of a Dhoni (traditional Maldivian boat) for this dive. This site is dominated by groups of Napoleon wrasse, the overhangs and caverns is home to reef fish such as soldierfish, gaping morays and squirrel fish.
Access : By speed boat or Dhoni from Chaaya Island Dhonveli.
Location : Inner South East North Male Atoll.
Rasfari
Rasfari is an outer reef that is located to the west of North Male Atoll. This reef consists of a large sloping wall that descends from ten meters below the sea to twenty five meters. Divers could follow the sloping wall 30 meters down to the reef and observe the gray reef sharks, silver tip and white tip reef sharks, large schools of eagle rays roam around the site. Moreover giant barracudas, tunas and napoleon wrasses, as well as fusiliers, blue-striped snappers and surgeonfish are some of the marine life that can be viewed on a dive in Rasfari.
Access : By speed boat or Dhoni from Chaaya Island Dhonveli.
Location : Inner South East North Male Atoll.
