...Highlights: shark action, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics...
...Diving environment: healthy reefs, wall dives, drift diving, caverns, advanced divers, off the beaten track...
A vacation escape to the Far North Atolls rewards you with serenity on your dives since, unlike most other areas of the Maldives, you are unlikely to see another liveaboard during your entire cruise. This remote and untouched region offers a true pioneering spirit, where the underwater world feels entirely your own. The marine life also seems to revel in the minimal interference from humans with flourishing hard coral growth over most of the submerged boulders, probably the best in the entire country. Soft corals do well on the sides of the boulders even when exposed to the often strong currents, creating a vibrant tapestry of colour.
The sea creatures that are found here thrive in the nutrient-rich waters, bringing in the reef predators: white and black tip reef sharks patrol the channels in impressive numbers. Large numbers of manta rays, as well as leopard sharks and guitar sharks populate many of the dive sites in the far north. The abundance and variety of marine life, from tiny macro subjects to towering pelagics, make every dive an unpredictable and thrilling experience.
Your liveaboard diving adventure in the Far North Atolls will be spiced up with drift dives, cave explorations and even a visit to the Maadhoo wreck, an added attraction for history and marine life enthusiasts alike. Wall dives are among some of the best you will find in the whole of the Maldives region, with dramatic drop-offs plunging into the deep blue, and the coral reefs shine in the sunny weather and clear waters that make for great visibility of up to 30m, ensuring every detail of this pristine underwater world is perfectly visible.
Dive Site Descriptions
Haa Alifu Atoll
At Baarah Thila, divers are treated to a classic submerged pinnacle experience where the current-swept waters attract an incredible concentration of marine life. Numerous species of fish, including schools of Andaman sweetlips and blackfin barracudas, gather against a stunning backdrop of vibrant hard coral growth, while leopard sharks are often seen resting on the sandy floor below. The dive involves moving with the current over this expansive boulder, offering a memorable and effortless drift. The highlight here is the distinct possibility of witnessing over 30 manta rays enjoying the attention of cleaner wrasse at a bustling cleaning station, a truly spectacular sight as these gentle giants glide and hover in the current.
At Nellahidhoo Thila, the sheer number of black and white tip reef sharks is the main attraction, with these sleek predators feeding in the currents with apparently no interest in the inquisitive scuba divers, allowing for close and thrilling encounters. If you can distract yourself from this spectacular shark scene, you will also see giant trevally and mantas soaring in the blue water above you, adding to the pelagic spectacle. Beneath the action, the profusion of healthy coral structures provides a haven for moray eels peeking from their crevices and colourful nudibranchs crawling across the reef, ensuring that there is something captivating to see at every level of this incredible dive site.
Full access to all the best coral reefs and vibrant marine life in the far north of the Maldives is only possible on a liveaboard safari. Since there is only 1 liveaboard cruising the Far North Atolls, your dive vacation is one adventure after the next with guaranteed large pelagic sightings due to the lack of interruptions from other boats and divers in the area.
A 30 minute domestic flight from Male is required to join these charters. For more information on the tour route and all the other travel information you might need to visit Maldives, read our Outer Atolls liveaboard section.
Liveaboards in the Maldives become fully booked well in advance so we recommend that, to avoid disappointment or having to settle for a sub-standard vacation, you plan to book your trip at least 6 months prior to your proposed dates of travel.
Find Your Liveaboard
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
Calm weather makes the Far North Atolls of the Maldives great for scuba diving all year round, with the exception of June and July. The water remains constantly warm throughout the year with little deviation from the 28-30°C range, so you might not want to wear any more than a lightweight shortie. Some divers prefer simply shorts and a rash vest in such comfortable temperatures.
Currents and surface conditions do not really follow seasonal patterns particularly. You can expect sunny skies most of the year with some of the more exposed sites occasionally seeing choppier seas and some of the channels experiencing currents which vary more with daily tidal movements than seasons. Although currents can be strong with choppy wave action, your experienced divemasters can often guide you to the protected side of the thilas, ensuring the conditions work for you, not against you.
Generally the best conditions are from December through to April. The only liveaboard in the area runs confirmed cruises between August and May. The marine creatures that figure strongly in diving the Far North Atolls do so throughout the year with mantas appearing more frequently and in bigger numbers from September to November.
For more useful information on Kulhudhuffushi’s climate and water temperature in the Far North Atolls, visit the Weather Spark website.
Where are the Far North Atolls and How Do I Get There?
Review our maps below of the Far North Atolls and their host country Maldives. Here, you will find information on how to get to the Maldives. After arriving in Male City, a half hour flight takes you to Hanimaadhoo, presenting you with magnificent views of the Maldives atolls and islands along the way.
Reef Summary
Depth
5 - >30m
Visibility
20 - 30m
Currents
Can be strong
Surface conditions
Can be choppy
Water temperature
28 - 29°C
Experience level
All levels
Number of dive sites
>40
Distance
280 km north of Male
Recommended length of stay
7 - 10 days
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TESTIMONIAL
Nancy McIntyre
Germany
Booked through you, great communication! Very timely. Would not hesitate to book with you again and will!
