Explore Seenu Atoll (Addu Atoll)
Addu Atoll, also known as Seenu Atoll, offers an exceptional diving experience in the southernmost part of the Maldives. This unique destination extends into the Southern Hemisphere, providing divers with an array of thrilling underwater opportunities. The atoll's natural harbor and barrier reef, once used by the British during WWII, now shelter the Maldives' largest wreck, the British Loyalty. This historical site, alongside vibrant coral gardens, offers a fascinating glimpse into the past while being a haven for marine life. One of the standout features of diving in Addu Atoll is its resilience to coral bleaching, resulting in some of the brightest hard coral gardens in the Maldives. Divers can expect encounters with spectacular marine life, including frequent sightings of whales and dolphins from the dive boat. Notably, Addu Atoll is one of the few places in the Maldives where manta rays can be seen all year round. With gentle currents, it caters to both beginner and experienced divers. Sites like "Gan Inside" showcase bustling reefs teeming with turtles and stingrays, providing a truly immersive underwater experience. Unlike other atolls, Addu doesn't have the strong currents or caves typical to the Maldives, but it compensates with its abundance of large marine creatures. The area is a paradise for those seeking encounters with giant manta rays, large sharks, big turtles, and numerous shipwrecks, making it a distinctive and unforgettable diving destination.
Dive Activity
Diving in Seenu Atoll (Addu Atoll)
Seenu Atoll diving offers a quieter and more laid back appeal than the busier Northern Atolls. There is only 1 dive centre available - and they do offer courses. There are no dive resorts and only a handful of guesthouses and hotels to choose from. The best choice, if you wish to dive a lot, is a liveaboard. It makes travel between dive sites easier and you will be able to see all the atoll has to offer. There are over 10 liveaboards to choose from so there will definitely be something to suit you!
Diving in Seenu Atoll offers drift dives, like most atolls, but these are noticeable shallower and gentler - making it perfect for novices. The kandus have stronger drifts for more advanced divers, with some caves and overhangs to investigate. There is also the British Loyalty wreck to explore - with swim throughs and coral galore, this is perfect for photographers.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Seenu Atoll (Addu Atoll)
Seenu Atoll reefs do not always have the clouds of colourful reef fish that others do. That is not to say that there is nothing to see. The larger animals and fish more than make up for it. Green and hawksbill turtles thrive on the shallow coral reefs and the hard coral gardens are vibrant and healthy. Dogtooth tuna and trevally can be seen in huge numbers.
The currents bring in pelagic life such as eagle rays, napoleons and grey reef sharks - and the rare opportunity to dive with manta rays all year round. If you’re very lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of tiger sharks and hammerheads. If huge marine encounters are your aim, try to book your trip to coincide with the full moon. This brings in the strongest currents and therefore the biggest fish.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
iStock-crisod
451 Sightings
J
66
F
108
M
97
A
20
M
14
J
2
J
7
A
12
S
21
O
18
N
46
D
40
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
186 Sightings
J
21
F
26
M
36
A
7
M
23
J
1
J
5
A
15
S
4
O
10
N
10
D
28
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
140 Sightings
J
29
F
17
M
22
A
7
M
5
J
1
J
9
A
9
S
6
O
8
N
10
D
17
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
116 Sightings
J
29
F
17
M
22
A
7
M
2
J
1
J
11
A
6
S
1
O
6
N
0
D
14
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
90 Sightings
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28
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11
M
25
A
8
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
1
O
4
N
3
D
7
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
86 Sightings
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12
F
11
M
8
A
10
M
14
J
3
J
8
A
12
S
3
O
0
N
4
D
1
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins
Hawksbill Turtle
85 Sightings
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29
F
9
M
11
A
1
M
0
J
5
J
4
A
8
S
2
O
3
N
6
D
7
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
60 Sightings
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2
F
16
M
9
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
14
S
2
O
3
N
1
D
4
Alamy/Fiona Ayerst
Tiger Shark
51 Sightings
J
5
F
1
M
9
A
2
M
6
J
0
J
1
A
16
S
1
O
0
N
9
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
33 Sightings
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7
F
2
M
17
A
1
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2
The best Months to dive in Seenu Atoll (Addu Atoll)
The best time for diving in Seenu Atoll is from December to April. This is the driest period of the year and has low winds. This means that the visibility is generally excellent and the seas are at their calmest.
Between June and November, the winds are stronger and there is more rain, though plenty of sunshine too. The diving is still excellent and brings in higher chances of seeing large pelagic creatures who come to feast on the extra plankton. That being said, the rougher seas around June sometimes disrupt dive boats so do check before you book.
