Reef
down to 35 m
Banana Reef
Curved North Malé reef with caves, overhangs and caverns between 10 and 25 m, and a section known as the 'Washing Machine'.
- Advanced
- Manta rays
Hanifaru Bay
Dive site in Maldives
Snorkel-only Baa Atoll bay, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where mantas and whale sharks gather to feed in the southwest monsoon.
- Best months
- May–Nov
The dive
A dive. Known for whale sharks and manta rays.
Who it's for
We haven't rated the level for this site yet. Ask your dive centre whether it suits your experience.
- Access is restricted or uncertain: check with local authorities and operators.
- Currently open to snorkelling only.
Conditions
- Environment
- Open water
- Water
- Sea water
What you might see
- Whale sharks
- Manta rays
Why divers come
- Marine reserve
- Bucket-list dive
Best time to dive
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
- Best
- Good
- Possible
- Closed
- Not documented yet
Best months: May–Nov.
Source: divessi.comWhere is the Maldives?
The point shows the Maldives area, not the exact dive site.
More dives in Maldives
Pinnacle
down to 42 m
Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
A protected North Ari pinnacle where grey reef sharks are the main players, alongside schools of batfish and vast schools of fusiliers.
- Experienced
- Grey reef sharks
Pinnacle
down to 30 m
Maaya Thila
North Ari pinnacle from 6 m to beyond 30 m; at slack-current night dives, vast numbers of fusiliers arrive on the crown to feed.
- Advanced
- Whitetip reef sharks
Reef
down to 40 m
Manta Point (Lankanfinolhu)
A manta cleaning station near Lankanfushi, busiest in the southwest monsoon (May–September) when mantas move east with the plankton.
- Advanced
- Manta rays
Jetty / pier
down to 25 m
Alimatha Jetty (night)
A night dive off a resort pier in Vaavu where dozens of tawny nurse sharks and Jenkin's whiprays gather.
- Open Water
- Nurse sharks
Drift
down to 30 m
Cocoa Thila
A 400 m South Malé pinnacle sloping to a 30 m drop-off, with grey reef sharks, eagle rays and large schools of fusiliers.
- Experienced
- Grey reef sharks
About this page
Values marked “Estimated” come from our original catalogue and are being checked against published sources one by one. Sourced values link to where they come from. Conditions change with the season, the weather and the tide: confirm with a local dive centre before you dive.