Central Atolls – Liveaboard Diving in Maldives
Discover the Magic of a Diving Cruise in the Central Atolls of the Maldives
Embarking on a diving cruise in the central atolls of the Maldives offers an exceptional adventure that combines vibrant underwater ecosystems with the tranquil beauty of the Indian Ocean. This region, home to iconic dive sites, offers divers the chance to explore thriving coral gardens, dramatic reef structures, and abundant marine life, from schools of colorful fish to majestic pelagic species.
The central atolls of the Maldives, including Malé Atolls, Ari Atoll, and Vaavu Atoll, are known for their diverse marine environments and pristine dive sites. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner, the central region promises unforgettable underwater experiences. From the shallow reefs of Maaya Thila to the exhilarating drift dives of Vaavu Atoll, the central Maldives is a paradise waiting to be explored.
Onboard your luxury liveaboard, enjoy personalized service, experienced dive guides, and top-notch amenities that make this diving cruise the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. As you sail through the turquoise waters, take in the breathtaking scenery and discover the Maldives’ rich culture, from remote islands to stunning sunsets.
Flexible itineraries through the stunning central atolls
The map shows the full area of the central Maldives atolls, but each week we follow different routes. Itineraries vary depending on weather conditions, guest preferences, and where the best experiences can be had.
Every cruise is unique!
Top Dive Sites in the Central Atolls of the Maldives
The central atolls of the Maldives are rich in biodiversity, offering an array of stunning dive sites. Below are some must-visit locations for divers seeking the ultimate underwater adventure:
Nerumathi (Malè north Atoll)
Also known as “Shark Tank,” is a popular dive site located at the entrance of Hulhumalé harbor, near the capital. It’s particularly famous for close encounters with various species of sharks, including TIGER sharks, BLACKTIP oceanic, HAMMERHEAD, Bull Shark, Lemon, SPINNER shark and Guitarfish. The dive depth ranges from about 8 meters to over 30 meters and the visibility is usually good, especially during the dry season. In addition to the thrilling shark encounters, Nerumathi offers another truly spectacular sight: the high concentration of stingrays passing through the area. Divers are often treated to the breathtaking view of dozens—sometimes even hundreds—of rays gliding gracefully in the currents, creating an unforgettable underwater ballet
Banana Reef (Malé Atoll)
This iconic reef, located just a short distance from the capital Malé, is famous for its diverse coral formations and the wide variety of marine life that thrives hereSmall laps with a depth between 10 and 30 meters, rich in colorful soft corals, alcyonaries, cracks with play of colors and light. Presence of numerous swarms of small to medium-sized fish, turtles, anemones, moray eels and shrimps among the ravines, occasionally passage of pelagic fish.
Maaya Thila (Ari Atoll)
Maaya Thila is one of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives, renowned for its abundant marine life and crystal-clear waters. It’s an exceptional spot to see reef sharks, napolean wrasse, and schools of fusiliers. Very often you’re also lucky to encounter the Guitarfish. The vibrant coral gardens and excellent visibility make it a dream dive site for both beginners and experienced divers alike. Also fascinating for night diving.
Moofushi Kandu & Manta Point (Ari Atoll)
Moofushi Kandu is one of the Maldives’ most iconic dive sites, a true underwater paradise. This spectacular channel is renowned for its incredible marine biodiversity and is a must-visit for diving enthusiasts eager to encounter magnificent pelagic species. During the northeast monsoon season, from December to April, the famous cleaning station comes alive: countless graceful manta rays gather, drawn by the rich concentration of plankton, creating unforgettable underwater spectacles.
Kuda Rah Thila (Ari Atoll)
This protected site is considered the most beautiful in the archipelago due to its exceptional diving conditions. Kudarah Thila consists of a main thila which has shallower peaks on each side and a tunnel that runs through the deeper coral ridge on the western side. You’ll also find two very interesting, detached blocks north of the main reef. The site’s major overhangs are located on the east side of the main reef.
Kudarah Thila is covered in soft corals and is home to many species such as flatworms, snappers, jackfish, and batfish. You can start the exploration with the two detached blocks or the wide overhangs of the east side of the reef, then explore the central part of the pinnacle and end with the two lower reefs.
Fish Head (Ari Atoll)
Marine protected area, featuring a flat-topped underwater tower that soars from the atoll floor to just 10 meters below the surface. Here divers can admire a large school of grey reef sharks, surrounded by a magnificent coral reef and a myriad of marine life. The seamount with coral walls and caverns rich with gorgonians and branches of black coral can be circled in a single dive if the current is gentle. Grey reef sharks tend to gather on the side that faces the current, offering divers thrilling, close-up encounters. What makes Fish Head truly stand out from other dive sites is the chance to observe these magnificent predators at very close range and it’s a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an intense underwater adventure.
Maamigili “Whale Sharks” (Ari Atoll)
Discover the unique thrill of swimming alongside the gentle giants of the ocean!
South Ari Atoll, one of the Maldives’ most renowned locations, offers you the unforgettable chance to dive or snorkel with magnificent whale sharks, in an exciting experience designed for divers and snorkelers of all levels.
At selected sites, you can also experience the magic of night encounters: powerful lights placed at the stern of the boat attract the whale sharks, creating breathtaking close-up sightings beneath a starlit sky.
A magical adventure awaits you in the crystal-clear waters of South Ari!
Alimatha & Dhiggiri Area (Vaavu Atoll)
Experience unforgettable thrills with nurse sharks in the Maldives – from the magic of the night to the beauty of the day!
Get ready for a spectacular night dive at Alimatha, in Vaavu Atoll, where, as darkness falls, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking close encounter with dozens of nurse sharks, stingrays, blacktip sharks and jacks in a mesmerizing underwater dance. The lights of the torches attract these majestic creatures, creating a thrilling yet safe show of shadows and movement, perfect for experienced divers and thrill-seekers alike!
BY DAY, don’t miss the dive or snorkeling session at Dhiggiri, another outstanding site where nurse sharks and large stingrays glide peacefully over sandy bottoms, offering unforgettable close-up encounters in the full glow of daylight. It’s the perfect setting to admire their graceful beauty in a relaxed and stunning environment.
Two unforgettable dives, two different ways to discover the wonderful marine life of the Maldives!
Fotteyo Kandu (Vaavu Atoll)
Fotteyo is a rich and beautiful dive site where dozens of dolphins are used to crossing it in the morning and evening. Covered in yellow soft corals, sharks and sea eagles can also be encountered.
You may be able to spot hammerhead sharks and leaf fish
It is recommended that you explore all the different parts of the site, in any order. The northwestern reef is a curved slope covered with soft yellow corals. In the north-eastern part, rays are found in the numerous caves of the vertical wall. In the beginning of the canal, there is a small thila where you can spot sharks and at the end of the afternoon, a large group of dolphins usually cross the channel to the ocean.
Miyaru Kandu (Vaavu Atoll)
The entire channel and surrounding area have been declared a marine protected area and offer an extraordinary place to explore the region’s rich ocean life. The area consists of the main channel, teeming with marine biodiversity, where a wide variety of ocean species can be observed.
The name “Miyaru” itself comes from Dhivehi and means “shark”, so it’s no surprise to witness—especially along the drop-off—a breathtaking spectacle of passing grey reef sharks, majestic eagle rays, schools of jacks, and a wide range of pelagic fish.
Kandhooma (Malè Atoll)
This dive site was ranked 10th in the world for shark diving.
This beautiful thila is located at the bottom of a channel, with the hat at about 14mt that drops to about 40m on all sides. The eastern and northern slopes are the most interesting with numerous overhangs and colorful soft corals. The numerous species you can spot include large schools of fish, sea eagles, white tip sharks, green turtles, and gray sharks. This dive site is accessible all year round with both currents coming in and out of the atoll.
When to Visit the Central Atolls of the Maldives
In the summer period (May-November) the currents flow mainly in a west-east direction, cleaning the western atolls and therefore leading to greater visibility. The currents cross the passes and bring sediments, plankton and nutrients to the eastern side of the archipelago.
On the contrary, in the winter season (December-April), the current flows in an east-west direction, with greater visibility in the eastern atolls. This is considered the best period, also for climatic reasons.
In summary, in every season it is possible to choose between a side with clear waters, where to observe the sharks or a side with more turbid waters (because they are rich in nutrients), where to admire the manta rays and the whale sharks.
