THE SCUBA HOTSPOT OF THE MALDIVES

Whale sharks, hammerhead schools, colorful coral gardens and clear water. Dive into an underwater sensation with your next liveaboard trip in the Central Atolls.

The Central Atolls of the Maledives include the capital Male and is easily accessible by plane. It was the first area discovered in the Maldives for scuba diving. Famous atolls in this area are North Male Atoll, South Male Atoll, Ari Atoll, Felidhoo (Vaavu) Atoll, and Rasdhoo Atoll. Some of the best dive spots of the Maldives are located in the Central Atolls, for example, the whale shark hotspot at the Ari Atoll or the hammerheads at Rasdhoo Atoll. Other highlights of these atolls are big pelagics, sharks, mantas, channels, pinnacles, and colorful coral gardens.

DIVE SITES OF THE CENTRAL ATOLLS

North Male Atoll´s underwater highlights include drop-offs, caves, coral gardens, and even some artificial reefs that have bloomed on shipwrecks in its shipping channel. The reefs are still in good condition and even some hard coral formations can be discovered. Manta Point is the place to see huge numbers of the gentle manta rays.

South Male´s Atoll is famous for its channels, that connect the inner atoll with the open ocean. These channels called “Kandus” and bring strong nutrient-rich currents attracting tons of fish, reef sharks and other pelagics.

The Ari Atoll is located to the northwest of North Male Atoll and is a hotspot for whale sharks and mantas. Like South Male Atoll it has a few channels, that bring strong current. But also underwater volcanos, also known as thilas, are a magnet for marine life.

Rhasdoo Atoll lays just northeast of Ari Atoll and its highlight are the scalloped hammerhead sharks that are schooling around this atoll. If this is not enough, look out for tuna and dolphins in the blue. The topography includes caves, crevices and some dramatic drop-offs.

LIVEABOARDS IN THE CENTRAL ATOLLS

As this is the most popular area of the Maldives, there are many liveaboards you can choose from. They all offer you a great mix of pelagics, drift dives, coral reefs and relaxing time on spacious luxurious boats.

THE QUINTESSENCE OF THE MALDIVES

Northern Atolls promise a destination full of rich aquatic rewards for liveaboard fans without the feeling of being “one boat among many”.

The Northern Atolls consists of Baa Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll and Raa Atoll. They are located north of the popular Male Atoll and is less crowded. The dive sites here are famous for unique underwater topography and an abundance of marine life. It’s got pinnacles, channels, walls, and bays. Mantas and sharks are occasional visitors in the area of Noonu, Lhaviyani, and the Far North Atolls.

DIVE SITES OF THE NORTHERN ATOLLS

Baa Atoll has a great variety of fish, a unique underwater landscape and the chance to see mantas are pretty good. Even blue, green, and yellow soft corals can be discovered here. Some dive sites provide divers with exciting swim-throughs, pinnacles and channels. From May until December whale sharks and mantas come for plankton In the Hanifaru Bay.

Lhaviyani Atoll offers some great wall-dives, crevices and overhangs for exciting dives. These topographic highlights attract loads of animals including multiple butterflyfish species, triggers, emperors, and Napoleon wrasse while tuna and barracuda prefer the blue waters.

Raa Atoll has a famous pinnacle, that is home to impressive fish biomass and diversity. Besides Raa Atoll has many more overhangs and crevices, that are common in the Northern Atolls. 

LIVEABOARDS IN THE NORTHERN ATOLLS

Liveaboard Cruises in the Northern Atolls offer a huge variety of dives as the topography is very unique. The area is less crowded and the trips range from 7 to 10 nights. Often the itineraries include the Central or Southern Atolls to give you an all-in-one experience of the Maldives.

UNDISTURBED DIVE SPOTS WITH EXPLORER FEELING

Liveaboard Cruises in the Southern Atolls are likely to have the water all to themselves. The undisturbed marine environment holds everything divers could wish.

The Southern Atolls are well-known for its strong currents attracting the big stuff like predatory jacks, mantas, eagle rays, reef sharks and whale sharks. Especially experienced divers like the Southern Atolls. Thaa Atoll, Meemu Atoll and Laamu Atoll are some of the atolls in the south. Enjoy the remote and uncrowded feeling and explore some new dive spots with your dhoni from time to time.

DIVE SPOTS OF THE SOUTHERN ATOLLS

Thaa Atoll, the least-explored area, but a good location to encounter whale sharks. However, you have to be lucky to meet them. Other visitors are more common, like schools of eagle rays, and Napoleon wrasse. The channels here bring some strong currents, that attract loads of reef sharks.

Laamu Atoll is less explored yet and discovering is still in progress. Strong currents in this atoll bring many fish like tuna and jacks. In fact, some say that Laamu tops all the atolls of the country in terms of large schools of fish. While drift diving it is worth looking around for reef sharks and eagle rays.

On almost every dive in Meemu Atoll manta rays can be seen. As well as the other atolls this area has strong currents. Divers can expect to be ensured by eagle rays and reef sharks. The channels at Meemu are also deep, and their sea life is rich.

LIVEABOARDS IN THE SOUTHERN ATOLLS

Liveaboard Cruises in the Southern Atolls are most-likely undisturbed. These atolls are still not well-known. It´s the best choice for people who like to discover new places but don´t want to dispense on a luxury boat.