Central Maldives Atolls

The Central Atolls of the Maldives—North & South Malé, North & South Ari, and Rasdhoo Atolls—are a diver’s dream. This region offers a perfect blend of accessible house reefs, thrilling boat dives, and an abundance of marine life, catering to divers of all levels. For those looking to explore the best dive sites across the whole region, liveaboards are a popular choice, providing easy access to remote and pristine locations. Whether you're learning to dive, seeking encounters with manta rays and whale sharks, or enjoying a liveaboard adventure, the Central Atolls are a must-visit diving destination.

Learning to Dive

The Central Atolls are an excellent place for beginners to start their diving journey. Resorts across the North and South Malé Atolls offer calm lagoons with gentle currents, ideal for learning the basics in a safe and relaxed environment. Dive centres are plentiful, providing professional PADI and SSI courses, from entry-level Open Water certifications to more advanced training.

The abundance of vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life means even novice divers can experience unforgettable underwater encounters. Many house reefs and shallow dive sites are easily accessible from resorts, allowing learners to gain confidence in stunning surroundings without venturing too far from shore. For those wanting to explore further, boat trips are readily available, offering deeper dive sites once learners are comfortable.

Qualified Divers

For qualified divers, the Central Atolls offer an exciting variety of dive sites that can be explored from either land-based resorts or liveaboards. Liveaboards are particularly popular here, offering divers the chance to explore the full range of dive sites, from the iconic Rasdhoo Atoll with its shark encounters to the manta ray cleaning stations in the South Ari Atoll.

Liveaboard trips typically visit a mix of channels, thilas (pinnacles), and deep drop-offs, offering a variety of dive experiences, from thrilling drift dives to tranquil coral gardens. Many sites are suitable for advanced divers due to stronger currents, particularly around the channel entrances where pelagic species like reef sharks, eagle rays, and barracudas often patrol.

Whether you're a seasoned resort diver or looking for an adventure aboard a liveaboard, the Central Atolls will not disappoint.

House reef diving

One of the key attractions of the Central Atolls is the abundance of vibrant house reefs surrounding many resorts. These reefs are easily accessible directly from the shore, making them ideal for a relaxed dive or snorkel at any time of day. House reefs in North and South Malé Atolls are teeming with colourful corals, reef fish, and even the occasional turtle or reef shark, offering an impressive variety of marine life just a few fin kicks from your villa.

House reefs are perfect for divers who prefer flexibility, allowing for spontaneous dives without needing to plan a boat trip. With shallow depths and gentle conditions, they are ideal for divers of all experience levels, including beginners or those looking to enjoy some leisurely underwater photography. Experienced divers can also take advantage of night diving opportunities, where encounters with nocturnal creatures like lobsters, octopuses, and moray eels are common.

Boat diving

While house reefs offer convenience, boat diving in the Central Atolls opens up a world of spectacular dive sites that can’t be accessed from shore. Dive boats depart daily from resorts, visiting renowned sites like the Maaya Thila in the North Ari Atoll, famous for its vibrant coral formations and frequent encounters with white-tip reef sharks.

Boat diving also allows you to experience the exhilarating drift dives for which the Maldives is famous. The channels between the atolls funnel nutrient-rich water, attracting large pelagic species such as manta rays, whale sharks, and schools of barracuda. Sites like Fish Head in the North Ari Atoll and Kandooma Thila in the South Malé Atoll are just a few examples of the must-visit boat diving spots, known for their incredible biodiversity and underwater topography.

Dive sites

The Central Atolls of the Maldives boast some of the country's most diverse and sought-after dive sites. With a range of options from thrilling channels to relaxed coral gardens, these atolls offer something for every diver.

Fish Head (North Ari Atoll)

Also known as Mushimasmingili Thila, Fish Head is famous for its rich marine life and vibrant coral formations. Expect schools of snapper, fusiliers, and barracuda, along with frequent sightings of grey reef sharks patrolling the edges of the thila.

Maaya Thila (North Ari Atoll)

A popular night dive spot, Maaya Thila is home to whitetip reef sharks, stingrays, and a host of nocturnal creatures. The coral outcrop itself is teeming with life, making it perfect for underwater photographers.

Rangali Madivaru (South Ari Atoll)

Known for its manta ray cleaning stations, Rangali Madivaru offers divers the chance to observe these gentle giants up close, particularly from December to April. The shallow reef and sloping walls are also ideal for spotting other reef fish and occasional turtles.

Broken Rock (South Ari Atoll)

Broken Rock gets its name from the canyon that splits the reef into two sections. Divers can swim through this stunning crack while admiring the vibrant soft corals and sea fans that cover the walls. Reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, and moray eels are commonly seen here, adding to the site's allure.

Kuda Giri Wreck (South Malé Atoll)

This small but intriguing wreck dive offers a blend of artificial and natural reef life. The wreck itself is home to a variety of marine species including scorpionfish, moray eels, and colourful nudibranchs. Around the site, you'll find a healthy coral reef with a range of hard and soft corals.

Banana Reef (North Malé Atoll)

One of the Maldives' first discovered dive sites, Banana Reef is famed for its caves, overhangs, and dramatic coral-covered ledges. Large schools of bannerfish, sweetlips, and groupers are common here, while eagle rays and sharks make regular appearances in the deeper waters.

Rasdhoo Madivaru (Rashdoo Atoll)

This site is renowned for its hammerhead shark sightings, often seen early in the morning. Rasdhoo Madivaru is also home to other pelagic species like manta rays and barracuda, making it a must-visit for divers chasing big marine encounters.

Marine life

The Central Atolls are famous for their incredible marine biodiversity, attracting divers from across the globe. These atolls are home to a wide range of species, from the smallest colourful reef fish to the ocean’s gentle giants, including whale sharks and manta rays. South Ari Atoll is a hotspot for spotting whale sharks year-round, particularly around Maamigili. Meanwhile, cleaning stations at Rasdhoo and North Ari Atoll offer unforgettable encounters with manta rays gliding gracefully over the reef.

In addition to these iconic species, the reefs teem with life. Schools of snapper, fusiliers, and jacks swirl around coral heads, while hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, and reef sharks are common sights. The Central Atolls’ topography also supports a wide variety of smaller species, such as nudibranchs, frogfish, and moray eels, which can be found tucked into the reef crevices.

The rich diversity of marine life, combined with excellent visibility, makes this region a paradise for underwater photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Dive conditions

The Maldives’ Central Atolls offer excellent diving conditions year-round, with warm water temperatures typically ranging between 26°C and 30°C. However, seasonal changes can influence the diving experience and the types of marine life you’ll encounter.

Best Time to Dive

The most popular time to dive in the Central Atolls is during the north-east monsoon, from December to May. This season brings calm seas, excellent visibility (often exceeding 30 metres), and a higher chance of encountering manta rays and whale sharks, especially in the South Ari Atoll.

The south-west monsoon from June to November is characterised by slightly rougher seas and reduced visibility due to plankton blooms, which, in turn, attract larger pelagic species. While conditions might be a bit choppier, this season is ideal for divers looking for manta and whale shark encounters.

Currents and Experience Levels

The currents around the Central Atolls can vary, from mild around sheltered house reefs to stronger currents at the channel entrances and thilas, where drift diving is common. While many dive sites are suitable for all experience levels, certain areas, such as the channel dives of North Malé and Ari Atolls, are better suited for more experienced divers who are comfortable with strong currents.

Each island resort in the Central Maldives Atolls has their own dive centre:

Boutique Beach Dive Centre
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon: Dive & Sail Dive Centre
ERI Maldives, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa & Meeru Island Resort & Spa: Euro Divers
Filitheyo Resort & Medhufushi Resort: Werner Lau Dive Centre

Getting Around & Basic Information

Male airport is located on its own island. The airport island accommodates the main terminal, the seaplane port and the airport hotel (Hulhule Airport hotel). In the vast majority of cases, Male airport acts as the hub for all transfers between island resorts and atolls.

A narrow channel of water separates Male Airport Island from Male town, and a regular, inexpensive boat service operates between the two islands.

Once you're on your island resort, there's no ‘public’ transport to get around to other islands, you need to organise local excursions and join guided trips.

Twin-centre stays, in most cases, hub through the central point of Male to reach your next island.

Climate

This tropical climate has two monsoon seasons. November to May is the northwest monsoon season, which is dry and sunny. June to October is the southeast monsoon and brings the wet season. Having said this, the period crossover of the monsoon seasons fluctuates each year and even during the wet season, one may experience weeks of solid sunshine and just showers in short, sharp bursts.

Air temperature is stable around 28 - 30° C and the water temperature rarely drops below 25° C. Spectacular diving takes place all year round.

Currency

Local currency is the Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR).

Approximately £1 = 26 MVR

The tourist currency is US Dollar ($) or Euro (€). Island resorts charge in USD or Euros and bills can be settled with most internationally accepted credit cards at the end of your stay.

Time

The Maldives is +5 hours of GMT.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu and Addu atoll. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll and Addu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

ERI Maldives (previously known as Eriyadu Resort)

Boutique Beach

ERI Maldives (previously known as Eriyadu Resort)

ERI Maldives (previously known as Eriyadu Resort)

ERI Maldives (previously known as Eriyadu Resort)

ERI Maldives (previously known as Eriyadu Resort)

ERI Maldives (previously known as Eriyadu Resort)

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

ERI Maldives (previously known as Eriyadu Resort)