Scuba Diving North Male Atoll

Okobe Thila

This amazing dive site is found inside the atoll to the west of Lankanfushi and can be dived via a number of different plans. Normally you will descend down a line that is fixed to a hole in the reef at around 12 metres.

Once on the reef, you may be able to make out that the site consists of 3 coral mounts starting at around 10 metres and sloping down to 25 metres. The stars of the show are the family of Napoleon fish that live here. They are very curious creatures and seem to enjoy the presence of divers for who they make a great photographic subject, particularly one of them which is an absolute colossus!

The entire area is literally bedecked with soft corals and sponges and the substrate peppered with windows, overhangs and caverns all worthy of inspection since they play host to squirrelfish, soldierfish and gaping morays. One such cavern is home to a group of some 20 oriental sweetlips. The wall also sees anthias in enormous swarms, as well as hundreds of bannerfish fluttering off the edge of the reef.

As a second or alternative dive here you may wish to vary your entry and exit points by approaching it as a drift rather than concentrating on the Thila alone. This will allow you to inspect the sandy channel that climbs up to 5 metres, where you can complete your safety stop among the fields of anemones, soft corals and tunicates, bright and vibrant in the sun's nourishing rays.

Okobe Thila Reef Basics: Pinnacle or drift dive
Depth: 10- 35m
Visibility: 15 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface conditions: Normally calm, but can be choppy
Water temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round. Liveaboards less likely to visit May to July
Distance: 5 km to the west of Lankanfushi, 13 km north of Male Town
Access: Liveaboard

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