The central and northern atolls of the Maldives — Male, Ari, Baa, and Raa — are the heart of the country's dive industry and home to several of its signature encounters. Baa Atoll's Hanifaru Bay hosts the world's largest recorded feeding aggregations of reef mantas during the southwest monsoon (May–November). South Ari Atoll has year-round whale shark sightings. Visibility is generally excellent, water is warm, and the classic choice is between a resort stay and a liveaboard — the latter accesses more remote sites.
The year at a glance
- Water
- 27–29 °C
- Viz
- 25–40 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 27–29 °C
- Viz
- 25–40 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 25–40 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 25–40 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 20–30 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 20–30 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 20–30 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 27–29 °C
- Viz
- 25–40 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- low
Signature dive sites
The sites you'll hear about in every briefing.
- 01
Hanifaru Bay
Snorkel-only manta ray feeding aggregation during SW monsoon.
- 02
Maaya Thila
Classic night dive with grey reef sharks and soft corals.
- 03
Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Current-swept pinnacle with grey reef sharks and jacks.
What you'll see
Top species with their April status.
Whale Shark
Reef Manta Ray
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Getting there
Gateway
Fly into Malé (MLE). Visa: Free tourist visa on arrival, 30 days.
Best months
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec