PRIME DIVING
North Male is perhaps the best known and explored diving atoll of the Maldives. It has long been recognised as providing a great variety of scuba diving, beautiful underwater scenery and a geographical location that makes it relatively easy to get to – the international airport in Male is only a short speedboat ride away. Diving in North Male Atoll diving is characterised by reefs, caves, current-swept channels and drop offs. The atoll sees plenty of fish action and is generally a good area for large pelagics, with reef sharks and mantas at the front of the queue.
1. AMINGIRI SANDBANK REEF
Description: What seems to be a rather “unspectacular” sandbank reveals itself as a very pretty dive site. Having said that, sandbanks are never really unspectacular in the Maldives but you wouldn’t expect a very pretty wall ranging from 3 to 30 meters when looking at the pristine white sand on top of the reef. Amingiri Sandbank Reef is also a very short boat ride from the Hilton so it is a great site for those who do not enjoy long boat rides. The wall itself has very nice overhangs especially in the south. The overhangs are within depths that are suitable for all experience levels.
You can expect to see a lot of curious batfish. If they have a good day, they are not shy and will approach divers, check out your bubbles and maybe even suckle on your fingers. You’ll also bump into the many snappers, both blue striped and red snappers. Keep your eyes open for leopard sharks, white tips, and lobsters.
Depth: 4m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
2. ANEMONE REEF
Description: With Anemone Reef we have another little gem of a dive site right in front of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. The dive site is of round shape and can be defined as a classical Maldivian thila – a submerged pinnacle. The top reef is located at 4 meters which makes it easy to descent to for all experience levels.
Anemone Reef has its name for a reason. You will find a lot of anemones and of course also anemone fish (aka clown fish or otherwise known as Nemo) there. The symbiotic relationship between an anemone and a clownfish is a classic example of two organisms benefiting the other; the anemone provides the clownfish with protection and shelter, while the clownfish provides the anemone nutrients in the form of waste while also scaring off potential predator fish. You’ll also find schooling bannerfish, glass fish blocks and turtles on the reef. Stingrays rest in the sand in midst of sand eels and jack fish are hunting off the reef in the blue water.
Depth: 4m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
3. MAS GIRI
Description: Located a 10-minute boat ride north-east of Hilton Maldives Amingiri, Mas Giri has another famous Maldivian reef structure – a giri. Giris are similar to thilas with the main difference being that a giri reaches the surface or may even be exposed during low tide. Most of the time around giris are less exposed to currents which makes them great sites for novice divers and night dives.
It is safe to say that Mas Giri is one of our must-see dive sites if you like beautiful marine life. Pretty much all tropical reef fish that are home in the Maldives can be found on Mas Giri. Expect to see turtles, white tip reef sharks, lionfish, lobsters, parrotfish, butterfly fish, damsels, surgeon fish, angel fish, rabbit fish, anemone fish, snappers, sweetlips, bannerfish, moray eels and many more. But not only is it a very “fishy” dive site. There are also beautiful and healthy coral patches to enjoy.
Depth: 0m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
4. THIN THILA
Description: Located just north of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. This dive site is situated in the backdrop of a channel and just east of our dive site Hulangu Kandu. Due to its location strong currents can affect it. The site consists of a thila with three top reefs at 3 meters. The sandy bottom lies at around 20 to 30 meters. Thanks to its location it has nice coral coverage and both small and big marine life can be spotted.
Even though a channel dive site usually promises a lot of larger fish species, a lot of macro life can be found at Thin Thila. Nudibranchs, anemone fish, squad shrimp, sea stars and cleaner shrimp have made the reef their home. Keep an eye in the blue water away from the reef for hunting tunas, jack fish and eagle rays. You will also find the odd white tip lazing about and sting rays sleeping in the sand. Overall coral life is beautiful and generally healthy and you’ll have the great chance to dive through large groups of schooling blue striped snappers.
Depth: 3m to 30+m
Experience Level: All Levels, on a strong current advanced
5. HULANGU KANDU
Description: Hulangu Kandu is located in the channel just north of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. The dive site itself sits at the corner of the outer reef. It is an interesting diving spot with changing reef structures. On an incoming current we jump into the blue water, drift to the corner and enjoy the show. Even though it is more spectacular on an incoming current, the site can also be dived as a drift dive on an outgoing current.
Hulangu Kandu on an incoming current is a classic shark dive. Watch large schools of grey reef sharks and white tips circling the deep waters. Occasionally they are joined by some silver tips and even dolphins make an appearance here. As you look up towards the surface, spot eagle rays swimming alongside tuna and barracudas. Reef hooks can come in handy. Alternatively hold on to rocks or dead coral.
Depth: 8m to 30+m
Experience Level: Advanced on a (strong) incoming current due to the depths and the fast descent. If conducted as a drift dive it is suitable for all experience levels.
6. NASEERO THILA
Description: Located just north of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. This dive site lies in the protection of a faru in between two channels. This makes the dive sites less exposed to strong currents and therewith suitable for all experience levels. The reef structure is a thila, an underwater mount, with a top reef at 4 meters from where it drops steeply to approximately 30 meters. Naseero Thila is also known as Hoholha Gaa in Divehi, the local language of the Maldives. Translated to English it means “rock with overhangs” and this is exactly what you will find here.
Unique reef dwellers at Naseero Thila include the long-nosed hawk fish, red anemones and a lot of juvenile species of reef fish. Lion fish, fusiliers, fairy basslets, damsel fish and tunas are among the more common species to be found at this site. Check in the overhangs for nudibranches and other macro life. Glassfish, cleaner shrimp and moray eels tend to hang out together. If you spot one, try to find the others.
Depth: 4m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
7. KUDA HAA
Description: Located in the south-west of the atoll and only a short distance and 25 minutes boat ride from Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Kuda Haa consists of two connected thilas that can easily be spotted from the surface. One thila starts at 6 meters and the other one at around 14 meters. Both of them slope down to a sandy bottom at 30+ meters. Kuda Haa is a legendary site which many divers have dubbed as fish soup.
The site is a protected marine area. Thus, fishing is not allowed and marine life is excellent. Napoleon wrasses help you to navigate through the small valley while glancing at the big blue tunas passing by. On the reef you can spot many different types of moray eels, shrimps and basslets. With a good eye and a little bit of luck you may spot a scorpion fish or a mantis shrimps protecting their house with supernatural boxing skills.
Depth: 5m to 30+m
Experience Level: Advanced – this site is located in the front of a channel with strong currents sometimes dominating. A fast descent is often necessary.
8. MOON VALLEY
Description: Moon Valley is located very close to Kuda Haa in the same channel to the south-east of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Moon Valley is situated directly at the channel mouth. Moon Valley is a great channel dive site that is often conducted as a (gentle) drift dive along a wall. The more adventurous can also explore the two thilas that are located in the channel. Depending on the current you’ll either drift into the channel or start there and drift to the outside reef.
During the north-east monsoon which takes place during the months of January to April you’ll have great chances to see mobulas here. Mobulas are manta-like rays that belong to the same family, look almost identical but they are a wee bit smaller. You will however also find eagle rays and napoleon wrasses all year round. Later during the day you’ll usually spot tunas as they hunt among schools of fusilier. On the top reef you will find emperors, oriental sweetlips and spectacular displays of schooling fish.
Depth: 10m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
9. BAROS THILA
Description: Located south of the resort island Baros. Baros Thila is as the name already revels a submerged pinnacle (a thila). Contrary to giris, thilas are completely submerged in water. Thilas are what divers are coming to the Maldives for. They can be located inside the atoll or in a channel. They usually attract a lot of marine life with the “fishiest” parts being the place where the current meets the reef. This is the so-called current split. Baros Thila has a top reef at around 8 meters. The reef top is dominated by rock formations. From there it gradually slopes down to 25 to 28m.
Expect many big magnificent sea anemones that are home to large families of anemone fish. As soon as the big-nosed unicorn fish find you and your buddy they will start playing and enjoying themselves. So don’t get frightened. It is all about your bubbles in which the bathe themselves. Have a close look underneath the rocks because you will often find sleeping nurse sharks, resting lionfish or lobsters.
Depth: 7m to 28+m
Experience Level: All levels
10. BLACK CORAL
Description: Black Coral consists of a long wall along a large circular shaped reef. The top starts at 4 meters and then descends to about 25m where you will find a sandy bottom. Due to its size, this reef has many different areas to explore. On the wall you will find lots of overhangs and even a small swim through – all at moderate depths, interspersed with sand slopes and little reef blocks at various depths.
The name already gives it away, many black corals can be seen here, especially along the wall. Even though the name suggests otherwise black corals aren’t really black. Black corals actually obtain their name from their inner skeleton. They are usually white or brown on the outside, sometimes even pinkish. The sought after long nosed hawkfish usually lives in black coral. Lots of puffer, box, trigger and angelfish forage around the reef. For our macro fans with cameras: don’t forget to check the black corals for ghost pipefish. Good luck!
Depth: 4m to 25m
Experience Level: All levels
11. BANDOS ROCK
Description: Bandos Rock is located on the house reef of Bandos Island Resort. The top reef starts at 3 to 5 meters and drops (rather steeply) to a sandy bottom at 30+ meters. You will find several caves and interesting overhangs on the wall. Selling point for this beautiful dive sites are the large table corals, the pinnacle that creates a canyon for divers to swim though as well as the abundant marine life. Bandos Rock is usually done as a drift dive suitable for all levels of divers.
There is a good chance of seeing black and white tip reef sharks, tunas and sometimes even eagle rays. Inside the caves and overhangs you can find lobsters, cleaner shrimps, lionfish and moray eels. Around the colourful pinnacle you have a great chance of finding banner fish, batfish and hunting jack fish.
Depth: 5m to 30+m
Experience Level: All levels – inexperienced divers should exercise caution when diving near the overhangs on a strong current since you might experience mild washing machine effects. You avoid this by staying approximately 2 meters from the reef.
12. GIRAAVARU CAVES
Description: A spectacular dive site located in the south-east of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Giraavaru Caves is located at a channel mouth and can therefore be affected by strong currents. The dive site itself is most interesting in between 5 and 25 meters where it is dominated by caves and overhangs. Giraavaru Caves also features an incredible drop off which is the perfect place for spotting large school of reef fish. Due to the number of overhangs and caves at around 20 meters the site is best dived on Nitrox but also without you’ll have a great dive experience. You just have to spend time at the shallower caverns.
The views from inside the caves and caverns are simply beautiful! You can look out into the blue water and spot pelagic fish such as sharks but also eagle rays, napoleon wrasses and a lot of snappers.
Depth: 6m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels when the conditions are right. During full, new moon or during times where we experience strong currents Giraavaru Caves is better only approached by advanced divers with experience in current diving.
13. DRAGON’S MOUTH
Description: Dragon’s Mouth is an old time classic (and also favourite) that is located on the outside reef of North Male Atoll. Only situated two channels west of the capital city Male, it can get busy at Dragon’s Mouth. However, the dive site is large enough that a few dive boats don’t necessarily make it crowded. The dive site itself is a well-protected inlet on the outside reef offering a number of caves.
The most beautiful caves are located at depths in between 10 and 15 meters which makes the site perfect for both experienced and novice divers. Colourful sponges and soft corals cover a few of the caves. We conduct the dive as a drift dive in either direction. We usually start deep (depending on the certification level at 18 meters or 30 meters) passing huge fan corals and then shallow up into the colourful caves. Bring a torch and camera! The dive site also boasts a few cleaning stations where sweet lips, soldier fish and groupers are getting an after-meal treatment by some cleaning fish. Altogether an easy dive.
Depth: 5m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
14. KANDU THILA
Description: Kandu Thila is located north of Hilton Maldives Amingiri in Rasfari Channel. Due to its location in a channel, Kandu Thila can experience very strong currents which makes it a dive site that is suitable more for the advanced diver. The absence of a main reef makes it necessary to descent fast to the top reef at 6 meters. If you miss the reef, you will have to get back on the boat and jump again. Kandu Thila is a typical dive site that many divers come to the Maldives for. Usually, the (fishy) action takes place where the current hits the reef and where you’ll find the thila teeming with marine life. Overall, it can be a very challenging but also a very rewarding dive. With little current, nothing speaks against beginners exploring the beautiful thila.
The reef is covered with plenty of hard corals which are beautiful to look at with all the schooling fish, moray eels, anemones and their inhabitants as well as giant trevallies and groupers. Dogtooth tuna and eagle rays often hunt in the current.
Depth: 6m to 30m
Experience Level: Advanced
15. MAS THILA
Description: Mas Thila is located just in the backdrop of Kandu Thila. If Kandu Thila is affected by strong currents, this is the perfect alternative due to the fact that Mas Thila is a bit more sheltered by a faru (a long reef). This makes Mas Thila an ideal dive site for both experienced and novice divers without having to miss out on amazing marine life. The reef top is located at 8 meters. From there the reef drops to about 30 meters. Due to mild currents, there is no need to descent fast so you can enjoy the full beauty of the top reef and take all the time in the world to descent. The name Mas Thila was given to this dive site due to the great variety and quantity of fish life. “Mas” translates into “fish” in Divehi, the language of the Maldives.
Tunas and large barracudas can be spotted at Mas Thila as well as big schools of fusiliers, snappers and banner fish. The other usual suspects such as coral grouper, oriental sweetlips, humpback snappers, morrish idols and moray eels also call this reef their home. White tip reef sharks frequent the place as well.
Depth: 8m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
16. NEYGEY THILA
Description: Neygey Thila is a very pretty dive site just south of Kuda Hithi. It takes a 40-minute boat ride to reach this dive spot from Hilton Maldives Amingiri. The thila actually consists of three separate humps that connect to each other in between 15 and 18 meters and then jointly drop to the sea bottom. The reef tops are starting in between 6 and 12 meters. You will find the bottom at approximately 30 meters. Even though it is located in the inside atoll Neygey Thila can be subject to strong currents which might make it necessary to descent quickly.
You might find white tip reef sharks either hunting in the current or sleeping in the sand. Look into the overhangs and underneath coral blocks for sleeping nurse sharks. Stingrays potentially rest in the sand or in the overhangs but if you are lucky, you will also see them swimming. Giant trevally, and tuna can be spotted as well as many types of colourful reef fish.
Depth: 6m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels – with a strong current a fast descent is necessary. If you can’t decent fast, please let your instructor know so we can jump with some buffer.
17. NAKATCHA THILA
Description: Nakatcha Thila is a spectacular dive site no experienced diver should miss. A 45-minutes boat ride separates us from Hilton Maldives Amingiri to this truly amazing Maldivian dive experience. Nakatcha Thila is a medium sized reef with marvellous overhangs and beautiful caves covered with a large variety of hard and soft corals. The dive site is great for macro photography and videography as well as for its abundant marine life.
Napoleon wrasses and white tip reef sharks are often found here. Also expect to see hawksbill turtles, lobsters, groupers, snappers and many other of the Maldivian reef fish suspects. Gorgonian goby, emperor fish, black saddle groupers as well as bengal snappers can be found here. Always keep an eye in the blue water away from the reef for passing eagle rays. Coral life is also superb with healthy gorgonian sea fans, black coral, whip coral, lobed pore coral and abundant staghorn coral.
Depth: 5m to 26m
Experience Level: Advanced – a challenging dive site on a strong current.
18. SHARK POINT
Description: Shark Point is located 45 minutes north west of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. The dive site promises a pleasant drift dive in depths from 10 to 30 meters along a pretty faru (long reef) close to Rasfari Corner. Plenty of hard and soft corals in a great variety of colours make this reef a beautiful scenery for the diver’s eye. We will drift in either direction depending on the current. But altogether divers don’t really come here for the pretty reef.
You might have guessed – at shark point sharks are starring the show and we can pretty much promise you an encounter with one of those elusive animals. At the southern end of the reef, you will find a little meeting point of grey and white tip reef sharks. With a little bit of luck, you might even spot their big brothers such as silvertips. Eagle rays can be seen hunting off the reef in the current. Giant groupers and schools of the usual reef suspects such as rainbow runners, sweet lips, snappers, groupers, trevally, barracuda and large napoleons can be spotted here.
Depth: 6 m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
19. RASFARI CORNER
Description: Rasfari Corner is situated in the same channel as Mas Thila and Kandu Thila. The three of them can be perfectly combined on a two-tank dive trip which take place every morning. It takes 40 to 50 minutes to reach these three amazing dive sites. Rasfari Corner, which is located directly at the channel mouth, ranges from 9 to 30 meters and is an interesting drift dive. During the dive you will make your way along the reef, explore rocks, little overhangs, coral blocks and maybe even the two deeper reefs off the main reef corner.
Rasfari Corner is known for a great chance to see big grey reef sharks, barracudas, eagle rays and schools of jack fish. It is an amazing dive site that is often visited by dolphins. Turtles and napoleons are residents here as well. Keep an eye in the blue for passing eagle rays. It is also quite common to find white or black tip reef sharks. Overall, a site not to be missed and an amazing place to see sharks.
Depth: 9m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels – on a strong current it is better to have an advanced rating and experiences with diving in more turbulent water.
20. RASFARI BEYRU
Description: Rasfari Beyru is located on the outside reef in between Shark Point and the Bodu Hithi Manta Point. This fact alone should tell you that it is a dive site with the greatest potential of making your day a really special one. Neither manta rays nor sharks only stick to one part of the ocean so you are very likely going to meet one or the other. Rasfari Beyru is a long reef covered with pretty hard corals and some soft white sandy bays where white tip reef sharks come to have a little rest. The reef top starts at about 8m then slopes down to around 30m. Expect to have a wonderful time during the dive!
Due to its great location keep one eye in the blue water off the reef to not miss any pelagic passing by. Grey reef sharks, eagle rays, tuna, barracudas and schools of trevallies are often spotted here. The reef itself offers a wide variety of marine life making this their home.
Depth: 8m to 30 m
Experience Level: All levels
21. MALDIVES VICTORY
Description: The Maldives Victory sank on 13th of February in 1981 after the captain lost his way in the channel between Male and Hulhule Airport Island and hit the reef at almost full speed. Its hull was badly damaged and it sank within minutes. All passengers and crew members survived. Nowadays this 3500-ton heavy and 110m long shipwreck is yet another diving highlight in Maldivian waters. Its depth ranges from 16 to 35 meters. The dive site was not open to divers during the process of building a bridge between Male and the Hulhumale. It is now again a challenging and impressive dive site.
The entire ship can be comfortably explored in one dive. As many years passed since the Victory sank coral growth on the wreck is in remarkable condition, especially around the wheelhouse. Different kinds of fish gather around this artificial reef. Schools of batfish and barracuda are usually found nearby. Don’t forget to look out for some of the old radios left behind!!
Depth: 16m to 30+m
Experience Level: Advanced – it is deep and subject to strong currents.
22. OKKOBE THILA
Description: Okkobe Thila is one of the most famous dive sites in North Male Atoll and definitely one to tick off the list of must-see underwater places in the Maldives. Okkobe Thila can be reached after a 45-minute boat ride towards the est side of the atoll. The dive site consists of three main pinnacle sections ranging from 10 meters to 50 meters in length. The reef top starts at approximately 12 meters sloping down to 25 meters respectively 32 meters.
Coral growth and fish life are excellent. Plenty of colourful soft corals, big schools of banner fish and barracuda can be found. Often napoleon wrasses, eagle rays and tuna patrol around the reef. Several small overhangs and caves can be seen where camouflaged grouper rest, as well as small sea creatures such as nudibranches and shrimps can be spotted.
Depth: 12m to 32m
Experience Level: Beginner to advanced. On a strong current a fast descent is necessary.
23. NASSIMO THILA
Description: Situated next to Paradis Island and not too far from Okkobe Thila. Nassimo Thila is considered one of the best thilas in North Male Atoll and has been declared a protected marine area. The reef top starts at 10 meters and you will find the bottom at approximately 30 meters. A section of the reef has broken off, leaving large coral boulders in between 18 and 30 meters. These boulders are covered with a blanket of soft and hard corals. Where the reef has broken off a long series of overhands and crevices are covered with a beautiful layer of blue soft corals
The dive site features fantastic coral growth and a rich marine diversity all around the thila. If dived with current expect close ups with napoleons, barracudas and schools of snappers, especially in the north. The south has more hard coral growth and is usually more sheltered from the current. Nurse sharks often sleep in the overhangs.
Depth: 10m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels – can be difficult with strong current when you need to be more experienced to descend fast enough to reach the reef.
24. BANANA REEF
Description: There are many Banana Reefs in the Maldives. Every time a reef is shaped like its fruity name parent, it becomes a Banana Reef. However, there is only this one legendary reef which is at the same time one of the first reefs that was discovered and dived in the Maldives. It is located in the inner south east of North Male Atoll and has been declared a marine protected area. The reef is big and banana-shaped with caves and overhangs. The reef top is between 3 to 8 meters from where it drops to 30+ meters
On the eastern side some rocks have broken away and created a perfect habitat for a surprising variety of schooling fish and large pelagic. Amongst the large overhangs resides an enormous school of blue-striped snappers. You will also discover a pristine reef wall berthing with life from different species of moray eels to fascinating coral and fish.
Depth: 3m to 30+
Experience Level: All levels depending on the current. Banana Reef is famous for the ‘washing machine’ effect occurring with strong northeast currents. With light current it’s suitable for all levels of divers.
25. FISH TANK
Description: Fish Tank is located 60 minutes east of Hilton Maldives Amingiri and approximately 20 minutes north of Hulhumale. It is best enjoyed on a two-tank dive trip since it is quite a long drive. However, it is worth it every minute of it! The dive site consists of a fringing reef that ranges from 4 to 30 meters and is suitable for all levels of divers. However, you will not come here for the reef!
Overall, you’ll be amazed. Prepare yourself for one of the most thrilling dives sites in the Maldives. With more than one hundred local stingrays who are welcoming, friendly and not shy you are heading towards your Instagram post of the year! Swim, explore, enjoy and take a few selfies with the stingray locals. You’ll also bump into quite a few moray eels. Usually solitary, you’ll see three or even four moray eels share one hiding hole. But that’s not all, you’ll also bump into the occasional guitar ray and have banner fish as far as the ese can see. Fish Tank is definitely a site where you’ll have to bring a camera!
Depth: 4m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
26. MAAGIRI REEF
Description: Maagiri Reef covers a large area and consists of several coral blocks at various depths, a small drop off and sandy slopes. The most shallow reef top starts at around 2 meters with a maximum depth of approximately 32 meters. All this makes it an exciting dive site for all levels of divers. Experienced divers can venture a bit deeper to explore beautiful and colourful blocks between 25 to 32 meters.
Maagiri Reef is known for its big schools of banner fish and blue striped snappers. In between the coral blocks you’ll find many lionfish and juvenile fish hiding out. There are a few cleaning stations where moray eels hang out to get a good scrub and some dental work. Even the rare honeycomb moray can be found here. On the sandy slopes make sure to look out for garden eels, flounders and of course triggerfish that like to hang out there.
Depth: 2m to 32m
Experience Level: All levels
27. BODU HITHI MANTA POINT
Description: Bodu Hithi Manta Point is probably one of the best manta cleaning stations in North Male atoll. It requires a 60-minute (dive) boat ride to the north in order to reach the gentle giants. The station is active, alive and kicking during the northeast monsoon (December to April). Thousands of cleaner fish attract the attention of quite some manta rays. Due to the depth of the cleaning station in between 3 and 6 meters snorkelers and divers alike can enjoy the majestic manta rays. The biggest manta groups can be found on an outgoing current when the water is leaving the atoll. We therefore always aim to reach the manta point once the current flows to the outside atoll. If you have had enough of manta rays (is this even possible?) you can continue the dive along the outside reef where batfish, napoleons and turtles are commonly seen.
Expect to see manta rays from December to April. If there are no mantas it is still a pleasant dive and it is possible to see sharks, turtles and many, many other colourful reef fish.
Depth: 3m to 30m
Experience Level: All levels
28. BODHU HITHI THILA
Description: Bodu Hithi Thila is a very large reef located on the west side of North Male Atoll and just North of Bodu Hithi Manta Point. The thila is located inside the Hithi Kandu. This makes is subject to potentially strong currents. The reef top lies at around 8 meters. There are three bays in the reef with a sandy bottom in between 15 and 25 meters.
Hard coral cover is very poor but the vicinity to the outer reef and the currents in the channel attract pelagic such as napoleons, white tip reef sharks or even grey reef sharks from time to time. During the northeast monsoon (December to April) it is also visited by manta rays that can be found on a 10-meter plateau or cruise along the south side. You might even have a chance to see a whale shark here. Some deeper lying overhangs in the south are also worth investigating for the stunning yellow soft corals that grow here.
Depth: 8m to 25m
Experience level: All levels – on a strong current expect some turbulences
29. KUDA THILA
Description: Kuda Thila translates into “small submerged reef” and this is what you’ll get: A small thila located in Hithi channel with medium to sometimes strong currents. It starts at about 13m, sloping down to a depth of 30 meters and more. The dive site boasts a pretty cave in the south and there are many more small overhangs to be found and explored all over the reef. However, with the reef top being at 13 meters and the overall small size of the thila, it is not a place that is very interesting to beginners if the currents are strong.
The top of the reef is an excellent place to look for the elusive stonefish. It is mostly found, well hidden, underneath one of the many coral blocks you will find here. Lots of reef fish such as butterfly fish, blennies, gobies and anemone fish are found all over the reef. Big groups of fusiliers can be seen passing while being hunted by trevallies. Eagle rays are frequent visitors.
Depth: 13m to 30m
Experience level: Advanced – strong current might make it necessary to descent very fast.
30. FURANA NORTH
Description: Located north of Sheraton Full Moon Resort on the eastern edge of the North Male Atoll. Furana North is about a 70-minutes boat ride to the east of Hilton Maldives Amingiri. While this is a long time on a boat, the dive spot is too good to not go there. The dive site is a classical channel dive site that also features a thila, which is an underwater mount from 12 to 30 meters. Usually jumped on the outside reef with a left shoulder drift into the channel. After approximately 20 meters it is possible to reach the thila.
An exciting channel dive best dived on a medium or strong incoming current. It is possible to encounter many pelagic fish such as dog tooth tuna in packs, giant trevally hunting in the blue, white tip and grey reef sharks riding the current and huge schools of fusiliers. The excitement will be yours once you discover the many napoleons and gliding eagle rays. During September to November manta rays frequent the site.
Depth: 10m to 25m
Experience level: Advanced (current, depth). With little current also possible for beginners
31. HP REEF
Description: Located in the southeast of North Male Atoll. Another far away site but this is an exceptional dive site and known as one of the most beautiful dive spots in the Maldives. The depth runs from 10 to 40 meters. One side of the reef is filled with boulders, caves and crevices. The other side contains a large outcrop of rock divided from the reef by a narrow sand channel. On this rock you will find a narrow swim through from 27m to the top at 15m.
Sandwiched in between two outer atoll islands, strong current is a permanent feature. Most of the reef is completely covered in yellow, blue and orange soft corals as well as stunning sea fans. Schools of big-eye trevally and jack fish, rainbow runner, barracuda and tuna make this reef a playground for pelagic. Grey reef sharks and eagle rays join in for the action. The reef top is home to many species of angelfish.
Depth: 10m to 40m
Experience Level: Advanced – to really enjoy this dive you need to be a confident and experienced diver
32. LANKAN MANTA POINT
Description: Situated next to Paradise Island and 75 minutes from Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Having Lankan in the proximity gives us the unique chance to offer manta diving all year round. Lankan Manta Point can be described shamelessly as the mother of all manta points during the south west monsoon (May to November). The reef itself is a rocky, gradual slope from 7 to 30 meters.
The name is game here. Manta points don’t get much better than this. Lankan Manta Point consists of three (or four) cleaning stations and you are almost guaranteed to see the gentle giants here. Especially during the summer monsoon, the cleaning stations are beaming with these big guys. All you have to do is hold on and enjoy the show without interfering with the mantas and their cleaning duties. Turtles, napoleons and white tip reef sharks also frequent the site.
Depth: 10m to 30
Experience Level: All levels