Maldives Dive Sites

Maldives Dive Sites

Explore 500+ world-class dive sites across the archipelago

Legendary Dive Sites

The most iconic underwater destinations in the Maldives

Banana Reef Maldives

Protected Marine Area All Levels

North Male Atoll Reef

Banana Reef

Maldives' first protected marine reserve, named for its distinctive curved shape. This vibrant reef features dramatic overhangs, swim-throughs, and spectacular coral formations with abundant marine life perfect for all skill levels.

Depth 5-30m

Current Mild to Moderate

Visibility 20-40m

Best Season Year-round

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Fish Head Maldives

Top 10 World Advanced

North Ari Atoll Thila (Pinnacle)

Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)

Consistently ranked among the world's top 10 dive sites, Fish Head is a legendary pinnacle rising from 40m to just 10m below the surface. Famous for its resident grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and giant trevallies that circle the thila in mesmerizing formations.

Depth 10-40m

Current Strong

Visibility 25-40m

Best Season Dec - April

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Fotteyo Kandu Maldives

World Famous Advanced

Vaavu Atoll Channel (Kandu)

Fotteyo Kandu

Often called the best channel dive in the Maldives, Fotteyo Kandu features spectacular overhangs decorated with soft corals and sea fans. The channel attracts schools of grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, and occasionally tiger sharks during the right conditions.

Depth 15-35m

Current Strong

Visibility 20-35m

Best Season Jan - April

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Hanifaru Bay Maldives

UNESCO Protected Snorkeling Only

Baa Atoll Cleaning Station

Hanifaru Bay

A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and one of the world's largest manta ray feeding stations. During the southwest monsoon, up to 200 manta rays gather in this small bay to feed on plankton, creating one of nature's most spectacular underwater events. Snorkeling only to protect the mantas.

Depth 3-15m

Current Variable

Visibility 10-25m

Best Season May - Nov

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Manta Point

Intermediate

North Male Atoll

Manta Point

Reliable manta ray cleaning station with year-round sightings

10-25m depth Mantas

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Kuda Rah Thila

Advanced

South Ari Atoll

Kuda Rah Thila

Stunning pinnacle with soft corals and grey reef sharks

12-35m depth Sharks

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HP Reef

All Levels

North Male Atoll

HP Reef (Girifushi Thila)

Colorful reef with overhangs, soft corals and diverse fish life

8-30m depth Reef Fish

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Maaya Thila

Advanced

North Ari Atoll

Maaya Thila

Famous night dive with white tip reef sharks and moray eels

6-30m depth Night Dive

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Rasdhoo Madivaru

Advanced

Rasdhoo Atoll

Rasdhoo Madivaru (Hammerhead Point)

Early morning dives for schooling hammerhead sharks

25-45m depth Hammerheads

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Shipyard Wreck

Intermediate

Lhaviyani Atoll

Shipyard (Fushivaru Thila)

Unique site with two sunken cargo ships and nurse sharks

15-30m depth Wrecks

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Sun Island Out

All Levels

South Ari Atoll

Sun Island Out

Year-round whale shark sightings along the outer reef

5-20m depth Whale Sharks

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Lankan Manta Point

Intermediate

North Male Atoll

Lankan Manta Point

Excellent manta cleaning station during SW monsoon

8-22m depth Mantas

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Understanding Maldives Dive Sites

Learn about the different types of diving environments

Kandu (Channel)

Channels cut through the atoll reef connecting the open ocean to the inner lagoon. Strong currents bring nutrient-rich water attracting large pelagics and sharks. Best dived on incoming tides.

Intermediate to Advanced

Thila (Pinnacle)

Underwater mountains rising from the sea floor to within 5-15m of the surface. These structures attract an incredible concentration of marine life and offer spectacular topography.

Intermediate to Advanced

Giri (Reef)

Shallow reef formations that break the surface at low tide. Perfect for beginners with gentle currents and abundant coral gardens teeming with colorful reef fish.

All Levels

Wreck

Intentionally sunk vessels and cargo ships create artificial reefs that attract diverse marine life. The Maldives has several accessible wrecks at various depths.

Intermediate

Maldives Underwater

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