Maldives
Maaya Thila (Ari Atoll)
Highlights:
- Famous pinnacle dive with an abundance of marine life.
- Grey reef sharks, stingrays, moray eels, and turtles.
- Night diving offers encounters with hunting sharks and giant trevally.
Best Time to Dive:
- Year-round, but December to May offers the best visibility.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Fly into Velana International Airport (Malé), then take a seaplane or speedboat to the Ari Atoll resorts.
Banana Reef (North Malé Atoll)
Highlights:
- One of the Maldives’ first protected marine areas.
- Colorful coral formations, overhangs, and caves.
- Schools of barracuda, fusiliers, and napoleon wrasse.
Best Time to Dive:
- November to May for calm conditions.
How to Reach:
- By Boat: 20–30 minutes from Malé by speedboat.
Manta Point (North Malé Atoll)
Highlights:
- A manta ray cleaning station, best for close encounters.
- Huge schools of fish and occasional reef sharks.
- Easy drift diving.
Best Time to Dive:
- May to November (manta rays are most active).
How to Reach:
- By Boat: 30 minutes from Malé.
Fish Head (Ari Atoll)
Highlights:
- High shark population, especially grey reef sharks.
- Dramatic underwater topography with overhangs and caves.
- Large schools of snapper, fusiliers, and jacks.
Best Time to Dive:
- December to May for best visibility.
How to Reach:
- By Seaplane or Boat: Accessible from resorts in Ari Atoll.
Fotteyo Kandu (Vaavu Atoll)
Highlights:
- Considered one of the best drift dives in the Maldives.
- Caves, overhangs, and vibrant soft coral formations.
- Pelagic species like tuna, sharks, and eagle rays.
Best Time to Dive:
- December to May.
How to Reach:
- By Boat: Liveaboard trips or speedboat from Malé.
Hanifaru Bay (Baa Atoll – UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)
Highlights:
- One of the best places in the world to see manta rays and whale sharks.
- A feeding frenzy occurs when plankton levels are high.
- Diving is not allowed, but snorkeling is permitted.
Best Time to Visit:
- June to November (peak manta ray and whale shark season).
How to Reach:
- By Seaplane: From Malé to Dharavandhoo Airport, then a short boat ride.