Maldives Diving

Northern Atolls

While many divers and the majority of liveaboards in the Maldives seem to dive only the atolls of North Male, South Male and Ari, it is worth considering the atolls to the north.

Having the entire sea to yourself and being the only dive group on any given site is a rarity further south, but is one of the charms of exploring this region that includes the atolls of Baa, Raa, Lhaviyani and Noonu.

Coral coverage in this area is a little "hit-and-miss" with some areas being home to very healthy hard coral gardens and others featuring only average reef health. However, what seems quite consistent is the abundance and diversity of fish life in this area. Many sites exhibit astonishing biomass as well as an impressive variety of species.

Baa Atoll is known to be one of the better places in the Maldives for diving with manta rays. Sharks are not common in the north, however Noonu Atoll has a magnificent site for grey reef sharks. Otherwise you can expect many Thilas and Giris featuring overhangs caves and swim-throughs, so the topography is as interesting as the marine life that swarms around it.

Highlights

Dhonfanu Thila, Baa Atoll - As with many sites in the area this is a submerged pinnacle but it is for the numbers of fish that this site deserves special praise. Ever-changing topography, mantas and other big creatures in the blue, plus a dizzying quantity of reef fish in an enormous variety of species combine to make this a site to remember.

Baa Atoll is also home to Hanifaru Bay, a large bay on the eastern side of the atoll and a place where mantas visit in large numbers when plankton blooms during the southwest monsoon. Whale sharks are also present, feeding on the nutrient-rich salty soup.

Orimas Thila, Noonu Atoll - Grey reef sharks in numbers of 20+, from inquisitive juveniles to imposing adults, swim in regular patterns over this cleaning station, occasionally responding in jerky movements to their cleaners. A beautiful and inspiring diving encounter with sharks in an area of the Maldives where they are rarely seen.

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How to Dive the Northern Atolls

Diving in the Maldives' northern atolls promise a destination full of rich aquatic rewards for divers without the feeling of being "one boat among many". While the dive sites further south may have several Liveaboards around at the same time, a visit to the Northern Atolls means having the sea to yourself.

At the time of writing there is only one Maldives liveaboard diving in this area that we recommend. It operates in and out of Kuredu Resort in Lhaviyani Atoll. From Male, a seaplane takes around 40 minutes to the resort and flying over the atoll chain is a highlight of anyone's stay.

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Diving Season

Scuba diving in northern Maldives is possible all year round except for the month of June. Conditions are generally best during the Northeast Monsoon season from December to April, although September to November can produce great conditions too. Confirmed liveaboard departures run from July to May.

The best time of the year for diving at Baa Atoll with manta rays and whale sharks is from August to November.

Water temperatures hover around the bathtub mark of 27 to 30°C, meaning that a shorty wetsuit is adequate for most divers. Visibility is not season dependent and ranges between 10-30m. Currents vary but are usually manageable by all standards when diving within the atolls, rather than the channels. Most of the dives are within the atolls.

Reef Summary

Good for: Large animals, drift dives and snorkelling
Not so good for: Small animals, hard corals and beginner divers
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface conditions: Calm but can be choppy in southwest monsoon
Water temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience level: Beginner - intermediate
Number of dive sites: >50
Distance: 180 km north of Male
Access: Liveaboard
Recommended length of stay: 7 - 10 days

Dive Site Descriptions

More detailed information on the Northern Atolls dive sites:

• Maldives travel information

View a map of:
• Northern Atolls  -   The Maldives

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