Dive sites in Maldives
Browse by region, city or dive type to find suitable locations for your experience level.
Regions
All dive sites
Hanifaru Bay
Dharavandhoo · Baa Atoll · Maldives
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with the world's largest known gatherings of manta rays — up to 200 in a single bay.
Hanifaru Bay Manta Aggregation
Dharavandhoo · Baa Atoll · Maldives
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve bay in Baa Atoll where seasonal plankton concentrations create the largest known feeding aggregations of reef manta rays, with dozens gathering simultaneously in shallow water.
Fuvahmulah Tiger Shark Dive
Fuvahmulah · Gaafu Alifu Atoll · Maldives
A dedicated tiger shark encounter dive off the harbour of Fuvahmulah Island where the deep oceanic channel attracts resident tiger sharks, thresher sharks, and oceanic mantas to the cleaning stations of this isolated equatorial island.
Huvadhoo Kandu
Thinadhoo · Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll · Maldives
A powerful channel dive on the outer rim of Huvadhoo Atoll where nutrient-rich currents attract dense schools of grey reef sharks, hammerheads, and pelagic species in one of the Maldives' least-dived atolls.
Fuvahmulah Tiger Shark Point
Fuvahmulah · Gnaviyani Atoll · Maldives
A deep-water cleaning station off Fuvahmulah Island where tiger sharks gather year-round, offering the Maldives' most reliable encounters with these apex predators in blue oceanic water.
Dhidhdhoo Beyru
Dhidhdhoo · Haa Alifu Atoll · Maldives
A remote outer reef in the far northern Maldives where pristine coral walls host manta cleaning stations, large schools of fusiliers, and the wild atmosphere of a virtually undived atoll.
Fushifaru Thila
Naifaru · Lhaviyani Atoll · Maldives
A picturesque pinnacle in Lhaviyani Atoll with healthy coral gardens, diverse reef life, and regular sea turtle encounters.
Shipyard
Naifaru · Lhaviyani Atoll · Maldives
Two shipwrecks resting on a sandy bottom in Lhaviyani Atoll, colonised by corals and home to schools of batfish and groupers.
Fesdu Lagoon Whale Shark Area
Maamigili · North Ari Atoll · Maldives
An open-water area off North Ari Atoll where juvenile whale sharks congregate year-round to feed on plankton blooms, offering some of the most reliable whale shark snorkelling and diving in the world.
Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Ari Atoll · North Ari Atoll · Maldives
Protected marine area with dense grey reef shark population. Overhang shelters and feeding action.
Maaya Fushi Corner
Ari Atoll · North Ari Atoll · Maldives
Dramatic wall dive at the corner of a channel where grey reef sharks gather in the current to hunt.
Banana Reef
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
The Maldives' first protected dive site — a banana-shaped reef with dramatic overhangs and cliffs.
Banana Reef
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
The Maldives' first protected dive site, a banana-shaped reef formation with dramatic cliffs, overhangs, and abundant marine life.
HP Reef (Rainbow Reef)
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
Colorful thila with overhangs covered in soft coral. Named after the HP printer company that sponsored research.
Hulhumale House Reef
Hulhumale · North Male Atoll · Maldives
An accessible shore-entry reef on the eastern side of Hulhumale's reclaimed island where surprisingly healthy coral gardens and passing pelagics offer budget-friendly diving minutes from Male's international airport.
Manta Point Male
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
A renowned manta ray cleaning station where reef mantas gather to be groomed by cleaner wrasse on shallow coral blocks.
Nassimo Thila
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
A vibrant submerged reef in North Male Atoll known for overhangs dripping with blue soft corals, schooling grey reef sharks, and one of the Maldives' most accessible yet rewarding thila dives.
Orimas Thila
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
A stunning pinnacle on the outer rim of North Male Atoll with sheer drop-offs, dense soft corals, and reliable grey reef shark encounters.
Thulusdhoo Cokes Reef
Thulusdhoo · North Male Atoll · Maldives
A vibrant channel reef adjacent to Thulusdhoo Island's famous surf break, where strong currents bring eagle rays, reef sharks, and dense fish schools along a pristine coral wall accessible from a local island guesthouse.
Rasdhoo Hammerhead Point
Rasdhoo · Rasdhoo Atoll · Maldives
A legendary early-morning deep dive at the outer edge of Rasdhoo Atoll where scalloped hammerhead sharks gather in schools at dawn in the deep blue water beyond the reef.
Rasdhoo Madivaru
Rasdhoo · Rasdhoo Atoll · Maldives
Early-morning channel dive famous for schooling hammerhead sharks at dawn, a bucket-list Maldives experience.
Rasdhoo Madivaru Channel
Rasdhoo · Rasdhoo Atoll · Maldives
A thrilling early-morning channel dive at Rasdhoo Atoll's outer edge, famous for hammerhead shark encounters in the pre-dawn darkness and strong oceanic currents.
Broken Rock
Dhigurah · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
A massive coral formation split in two by a dramatic swim-through canyon in South Ari Atoll, where vibrant soft corals cover every surface and reef sharks patrol the channel entrance.
Dhigurah Whale Shark Point
Dhigurah · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
The Maldives' most reliable whale shark encounter site along the outer reef of South Ari Atoll, where year-round resident juvenile whale sharks cruise the channel edges in crystal-clear Indian Ocean water.
Kuda Rah Thila
Ari Atoll · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
A protected marine area featuring stunning soft coral overhangs and rich biodiversity on a beautifully sculpted pinnacle.
Kuda Rah Thila
Kuda Rah · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
A protected marine pinnacle in South Ari Atoll famous for its stunning soft coral overhangs, schooling fish, and pristine reef structure.
Kudarah Thila South Wall
Dhangethi · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
The dramatic southern face of Kudarah Thila, where a sheer wall plunges into the deep blue, adorned with spectacular soft coral overhangs sheltering grey reef sharks.
Maaya Thila
Mahibadhoo · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
Legendary night dive pinnacle with whitetip reef sharks and rich soft coral coverage.
Maaya Thila
Ari Atoll · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
Iconic pinnacle site renowned for spectacular night dives and resident whitetip reef sharks circling the thila.
Maaya Thila Night Dive
Maamigili · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
A legendary Maldivian pinnacle that transforms after dark into one of the world's premier night dives, where hunting whitetip reef sharks, free-swimming moray eels, and bioluminescent displays create an unforgettable nocturnal spectacle.
Rangali Madivaru
Rangali Island · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
A current-swept channel entrance in South Ari Atoll famous as one of the world's most reliable manta ray cleaning stations, where reef mantas gather year-round for cleaning by wrasses and butterflyfish.
Sun Island House Reef
Mahibadhoo · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
A sprawling house reef directly accessible from Sun Island Resort, offering easy shore diving with regular visits from reef sharks, eagle rays, and juvenile whale sharks.
Sun Island Out Reef
Ari Atoll · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
Gentle outer reef slope in South Ari Atoll famous for seasonal whale shark encounters between November and May.
Vilamendhoo House Reef
Dhigurah · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
One of the Maldives' finest house reefs, a channel-side drop-off accessible from shore where turtles, reef sharks, mantas, and eagle rays appear on routine dives at a South Ari Atoll island resort.
Cocoa Thila
Male · South Male Atoll · Maldives
A stunning submerged pinnacle in South Male Atoll with rich coral growth, overhangs full of soft corals, and diverse shark species.
Emboodhoo Lagoon
Emboodhoo · South Male Atoll · Maldives
A sheltered lagoon dive on the southern edge of South Male Atoll where crystal-clear waters reveal pristine coral bommies, juvenile fish nurseries, and gentle currents ideal for relaxed exploration.
Guraidhoo Corner
Guraidhoo · South Male Atoll · Maldives
A spectacular channel corner in South Male Atoll where grey reef sharks, tuna, and trevally gather in powerful currents along a dramatic drop-off.
Guraidhoo Kandu
Male · South Male Atoll · Maldives
An exhilarating channel dive with strong currents, grey reef sharks, and pelagic fish at one of South Male Atoll's premier sites.
Kandooma Thila
Kandooma · South Male Atoll · Maldives
A teardrop-shaped pinnacle in South Male Atoll renowned for grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and dramatic overhangs draped in soft corals.
Villingili Kandu
Male · South Male Atoll · Maldives
A thrilling channel dive in the South Male Atoll where powerful incoming currents funnel grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and massive Napoleon wrasses past divers stationed on a coral-covered ledge.
Alimatha House Reef Night Dive
Felidhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
A legendary Maldivian night dive where nurse sharks and giant stingrays gather in the dozens under dock lights, creating one of the most intense and accessible shark encounters in the Indian Ocean.
Alimatha Jetty
Alimatha Island · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
A shallow night diving haven beneath a resort jetty in Vaavu Atoll where dozens of nurse sharks and stingrays gather nightly to feed, creating one of the Maldives' most thrilling accessible encounters.
Fotteyo Kandu
Felidhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Considered the best channel dive in the Maldives — dramatic overhangs, grey reef sharks, and rich soft coral.
Fotteyo Kandu Channel Dive
Felidhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
A premier channel dive in Vaavu Atoll where incoming currents funnel grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and dense pelagic schools past overhangs decorated with spectacular soft coral growth.
Miyaru Kandu
Felidhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
The famous 'Shark Channel' of Vaavu Atoll where grey reef sharks gather in huge numbers along a dramatic ocean-facing reef wall.
Vattaru Kandu
Felidhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
A deep channel on Vaavu Atoll's western rim where incoming currents concentrate grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and schooling fish in one of the Maldives' most dramatic and consistent drift dives.
Dive centers in Maldives
Sub Aqua Dive Center Angaga
Angaga · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
German-run PADI/SSI dive center at Angaga resort in South Ari Atoll, with an outstanding house reef and year-round whale shark encounters.
Werner Lau Diving Center Bathala
Bathala · North Ari Atoll · Maldives
Legendary SSI dive center at Bathala island in North Ari Atoll, renowned for its exceptional house reef and access to hammerhead shark and manta ray sites.
Liquid Salt Divers
Dharavandhoo · Baa Atoll · Maldives
PADI/SSI center near Hanifaru Bay UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Seasonal manta ray and whale shark aggregations — one of the world's greatest marine spectacles.
Maldivers Dhiffushi
Dhiffushi · North Male Atoll · Maldives
Locally owned SSI dive center on Dhiffushi, the easternmost island in the Maldives, offering authentic and affordable diving in North Male Atoll.
Dhigurah Divers
Dhigurah · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
PADI dive center on Dhigurah island, one of the Maldives' best spots for whale shark encounters, offering affordable local island diving in South Ari Atoll.
Island Divers
Dhigurah · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
PADI resort center on Dhigurah specializing in year-round whale shark encounters in South Ari Atoll. House reef and channel dives.
Fulidhoo Dive
Fulidhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Award-winning PADI 5 Star IDC on the local island of Fulidhoo in pristine Vaavu Atoll, famous for spectacular night diving with nurse sharks and stingrays.
Fuvahmulah Dive
Fuvahmulah · Gnaviyani Atoll · Maldives
PADI dive center on remote Fuvahmulah island, the world's premier destination for tiger shark diving with near-guaranteed year-round encounters.
DivePoint Guraidhoo
Guraidhoo · South Male Atoll · Maldives
SSI dive center on the local island of Guraidhoo in South Male Atoll, offering affordable access to world-class channel dives and shark encounters.
Maldivian Academy of Diving
Himmafushi · North Male Atoll · Maldives
The Maldives' only PADI Career Development Center on Himmafushi island, offering professional-level training and daily dive trips to North Male Atoll's premier sites.
Dive Club Maldives
Hulhumale · North Male Atoll · Maldives
Locally owned PADI dive center in Hulhumale near the airport, offering affordable boat dives to North Male Atoll sites and operations at Bandos resort.
Ocean Junkies
Hulhumale · North Male Atoll · Maldives
PADI center near Male airport with day trips to North Male Atoll's best channel dives and manta cleaning stations.
Prodivers Hurawalhi
Hurawalhi · Lhaviyani Atoll · Maldives
Prodivers luxury dive center at the adults-only Hurawalhi resort in Lhaviyani Atoll, offering exclusive diving experiences with small groups.
Euro-Divers Club Med Kani
Kanifinolhu · North Male Atoll · Maldives
PADI dive center at the all-inclusive Club Med Kani resort in North Male Atoll, offering convenient access to top North Male dive sites.
Prodivers Kuredu
Kuredu · Lhaviyani Atoll · Maldives
The Maldives' longest-running PADI 5 Star IDC, operating since 1988 at Kuredu Resort in the pristine Lhaviyani Atoll with 35+ years of experience.
Maafushi Dive & Water Sports
Maafushi · South Male Atoll · Maldives
PADI/SSI center on Maafushi guesthouse island. Budget-friendly access to South Male Atoll's shark dives and pristine channels.
Dive Club Maldives
Male · Maldives · Maldives
Liveaboard operator running 7-14 day expeditions through the Maldives' remote southern atolls. Tiger sharks, hammerheads, and untouched reefs.
Dive Desk
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
PADI 5 Star Dive Center in Male capital, offering daily boat trips to North Male Atoll's best dive sites without requiring resort accommodation.
Emperor Divers Maldives
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
Internationally renowned liveaboard operator with a fleet of vessels in the Maldives, offering professionally managed diving cruises across multiple atolls.
Maldives Boat Club
Male · North Male Atoll · Maldives
Established liveaboard operator since 2002, offering luxury dive safari cruises across the Maldivian archipelago with 25+ years of experience.
Ocean Sports Maldives
Mudhdhoo · Baa Atoll · Maldives
PADI dive center at Dusit Thani resort in Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with access to the legendary Hanifaru Bay manta ray feeding station.
diveOceanus Sun Island
Nalaguraidhoo · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
The original diveOceanus PADI 5 Star center at Sun Island in South Ari Atoll, with access to legendary dive sites and year-round whale shark encounters.
Sun Diving Olhuveli
Olhuveli · South Male Atoll · Maldives
SSI dive center at Sun Siyam Olhuveli resort in South Male Atoll, operating since 1994 with access to exciting channel dives and shark encounters.
Drop Dive Maldives
Rasdhoo · North Ari Atoll · Maldives
SSI dive center on the local island of Rasdhoo in North Ari Atoll, famous for hammerhead shark encounters and affordable local island diving packages.
Sub Aqua Dive Center Thulhagiri
Thulhagiri · North Male Atoll · Maldives
German-run PADI/SSI dive center at Thulhagiri resort, 20 minutes from the airport, with an excellent house reef and access to North Male Atoll sites.
Euro-Divers Kurumba
Vihamanaafushi · North Male Atoll · Maldives
Euro-Divers center at historic Kurumba Maldives resort, just 10 minutes from the airport with access to North Male Atoll's finest dive sites.
Euro-Divers Vilamendhoo
Vilamendhoo · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
PADI 5 Star resort dive center at Vilamendhoo in South Ari Atoll, famous for its exceptional house reef and year-round whale shark encounters.
Dhigurah Dive Center
Dhigurah · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
PADI center on Dhigurah island in South Ari Atoll, one of the best spots for whale shark encounters in the Maldives.
Dive Desk Male’ – PADI 5-Star Dive Center
Malé · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Sea Star Diving Maldives
Rahdhebai Magu · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Divers Lodge Maldives
216 Jumhooree Magu Vilimale · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Sub Oceanic Maldives
Gulhi Falhu · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Best Dives Pvt Ltd
No. 1104 · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Dune Maldives Liveaboard
Flat 112 · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Dive Bandos
7F9Q+GRG · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Moodhu Bulhaa Dive Centre
Kalhuthuhkalaa Magu · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Sinai Dive Club Maldives
Maafushi 08090 · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
AMBA Dive Private Limited - Liveaboard Maldives
Malé 20094 · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Maafushi Scuba & Freediving
Maafushi 08090 · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
The Dive Squad
Roashanee Hingun Road · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
Eco Dive Club - Maafushi
Maafushi 08090 · Kaafu Atoll · Maldives
South Ari Dive Center
Dhangethi 00060 · Ari Atoll · Maldives
Ari Atoll Divers
Omadhoo 00020 · Ari Atoll · Maldives
Euro-Divers LUX* South Ari Atoll | Dive Centre
Dhidhdhoofinolhu · Ari Atoll · Maldives
Manta Nomad Divers
Maalhos 06070 · Baa Atoll · Maldives
diveOceanus Royal Island
06160 · Baa Atoll · Maldives
Dharavandhoo Divers Maldives
Dharavandhoo 06060 · Baa Atoll · Maldives
Manta Tribe Maldives - Diving Center in Dharavandhoo
Dharavandhoo · Baa Atoll · Maldives
Ocean Dimensions
00000 · Baa Atoll · Maldives
UNDERWATER INSTITUTE - Fulhadhoo
Fulhadhoo 06110 · Baa Atoll · Maldives
Fehi Velaa Dive
Dhonfanu · Baa Atoll · Maldives
Diving Center
Horubadhoo · Baa Atoll · Maldives
Joy Dive
Kihaadhoo · Baa Atoll · Maldives
Thoddoo Diving Center (PDH Maldives)
Chaandhaneemagu · Baa Atoll · Maldives
Divers Lodge Fulidhoo
Fulidhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
DIVE & SAIL Center Velifushi
Thinadhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Maldives Thinadhoo Dive
Thinadhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Felidhoo Dive Club
Felidhoo · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Vaali Maldives Island Escapes & Dive
Vaavu Atoll 20196 · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Ayala Bubbles Dive Center
Gulhi 08070 · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
AriUthuru Dive Centre
Aa. Feridhoo 09060 · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Murakabay Maldives Dive and Excursion Centre Ukulhas
Ukulhas · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Scuba Divine Maldives - Dhangethi
Dhangethi · Vaavu Atoll · Maldives
Diving in Maldives
Dive sites in Maldives include reef, open-water, channel, wreck, wall, pinnacle, drift locations across Baa Atoll, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Gnaviyani Atoll, Haa Alifu Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll, North Ari Atoll, North Male Atoll, Rasdhoo Atoll, South Ari Atoll, South Male Atoll, Vaavu Atoll. Each location includes depth, conditions and environment type to help you plan safely.
Use the region and city navigation above to narrow your search, or explore individual site pages for detailed conditions, entry type, skill requirements and nearby alternatives.
FAQ
How many mantas can I see?
During peak feeding events, 50-200 mantas can gather in the small bay simultaneously — nowhere else on Earth matches this concentration.
Is diving allowed?
Only snorkeling is permitted in Hanifaru Bay to minimize disturbance to the feeding mantas. Scuba is banned.
When is the best time?
June to November during the SW monsoon when plankton accumulates in the bay. Peak is August-October.
What are the rules for visiting Hanifaru Bay?
Hanifaru Bay is strictly regulated as part of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Only snorkelling is permitted — scuba diving was banned to reduce bubble disturbance to the mantas. A maximum number of snorkellers are allowed in the water at any time, and trained guides must accompany each group. Visitors must maintain a minimum distance from the mantas and are prohibited from touching, chasing, or using flash photography. Entry fees support conservation efforts, and the ranger station at the bay entrance monitors compliance. These rules have been effective in protecting the aggregation while still allowing public access.
When is the best time to see the manta feeding aggregation?
The manta feeding aggregations peak between June and November, coinciding with the southwest monsoon that drives plankton into the bay. The largest events, with over 100 mantas, typically occur during full and new moon tides in August and September when tidal forces concentrate plankton most intensely. However, aggregation size varies enormously from day to day depending on current, tide, and plankton density. Some days produce spectacular events with dozens of mantas; other days the bay may be empty. Resort dive operators monitor conditions daily and visit the bay when reports indicate manta activity.