2/5 for the number of wrecks to be visited
4/5 for close encounters with dolphins
5/5 for coral gardens and schools of fish
1/5 for cave and canyon dives
4/5 for nudis and other macro objects
5/5 for close encounters with sharks
5/5 for big fish sightnings
When starting a liveaboard adventure in the Maldives from Malé Atoll, the trip usually begins with a relaxed check dive at one of the atoll’s sheltered reefs or sandy lagoons, allowing divers to test equipment and refresh basic skills before heading to deeper channels and current-rich sites. Commonly chosen spots for these initial dives include Lankan (a renowned manta ray cleaning station near Paradise Island), Fish Tank, Kurumba House Reef, and Maagiri Reef, all of which are close to Malé and offer gentle conditions with abundant marine life. These locations make for an inviting introduction, setting the perfect tone for the vibrant coral gardens, schooling fish, and thrilling pelagic encounters that await throughout the Maldives.
Rasdhoo Atoll, a picturesque and compact atoll in the Maldives, is famed for its thrilling channels, steep outer walls, abundant pelagics, and vibrant coral reefs. The atoll offers over 19 diverse dive sites, from the exhilarating Rasdhoo Channel—an advanced drift dive with regular sightings of grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling fish—to Madivaru Corner, a legendary horseshoe-shaped reef where divers encounter big schools of sharks, barracudas, and rays. Highlights also include Madi Gaa, a manta ray cleaning station; Holhi Faru and Miyaru Faru, which feature stunning walls, caves, and overhangs; Veligandu North, adored for easy drifts among coral gardens and macro surprises; and scenic wreck dives like Kuramathi Queen. Rasdhoo’s clear waters, varied topography, and high chances for shark, manta, and even hammerhead encounters make it a must-visit for both adventurous and beginner divers alike.
North and South Ari Atoll, together forming one of the Maldives’ most celebrated diving regions, offer a wealth of famous dive sites known for their abundant marine life, pelagic encounters, and distinctive underwater landscapes. In North Ari Atoll, top sites include Maaya Thila—renowned for grey reef sharks and vibrant night dives, Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)—a protected reef teeming with schooling fish and Napoleon wrasse, and Ukulhas Thila—a long pinnacle drawing rays and sharks. Wreck dives like Fesdu Wreck, and channels such as Veligandu Kandu, further enhance the region’s variety.
South Ari Atoll is especially famous for whale shark sightings at Maamigili and nearby outer reefs, as well as beautiful thilas like Kudarah Thila and Broken Rock, which feature dramatic topography and thriving coral. Dhigurah and Rangali offer manta ray cleaning stations, while Machchafushi Wreck and 5 Rocks are beloved for scenic dives and macro life. Both North and South Ari promise easy drift dives, healthy coral gardens, and an impressive range of large species, making them a must for both adventure seekers and casual divers.
Vaavu Atoll, also known as Felidhu Atoll, is renowned for its wild, untamed channels and thrilling big-fish action among over twenty spectacular dive sites. The atoll is a paradise for advanced divers, featuring iconic sites like Fotteyo Kandu—often hailed as one of the world’s best channel dives with its vibrant soft corals, dramatic overhangs, and regular encounters with hammerhead, grey reef, and silvertip sharks. Miyaru Kandu (“Shark Channel”) lives up to its name, treating divers to impressive schools of sharks, eagle rays, and exhilarating currents, while Alimathaa Jetty offers unforgettable night dives with tame nurse sharks, stingrays, and abundant reef fish. Other highlights include Fushi Kandu, with its colorful coral blocks and reefs teeming with life, and Kunaavashi Kandu, known for big pelagic sightings. Vaavu’s pristine reefs, frequent shark and manta encounters, and lack of large tourist crowds make it a favorite among liveaboard itineraries and serious underwater adventurers.
