Explore Alif Alif Atoll

Diving in Alif Alif Atoll (North Ari Atoll) is diverse and possible for all levels. Located in the southern Central Maldives, it enjoys year round diving and an exciting opportunity to dive with pelagic giants like manta rays and whale sharks all year round. It is the most open to tourism and is considered the best diving in the Maldives by many. As there is a lot of choice, no matter if you prefer a liveaboard, dive resort or dive centre, there will be something to suit your needs here. It also includes the small Rasdhoo Atoll to the north, which is famous for its schooling hammerhead encounters.

Places to Explore

Rasdhoo Atoll

23 Divesites 5 Centers

Rasdhoo offers the most beautiful beaches in the Maldives and you have the unique chance to swim with hammerhead sharks.

Thoddoo

3 Divesites 1 Center

Thoddoo is an island that is part of the Alif Alif Atoll in the Central Maldives.

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Awequatic Divers

Marine Ecology

Contact the Center for more information.

In the SSI Marine Ecology specialty program, you will learn how ocean organisms interact with each other and their environments. You will be taught how energy flows through communities and the links between different ocean ecosystems. With your newfound knowledge, you will appreciate the marine life you dive with even more! Start online today and earn your SSI Marine Ecology Specialty certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Awequatic Divers

Open Water Diver

16 Nov 2025

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Open Water Diver

15 Nov 2025 + 2 more

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Diving Centers Werner Lau Bathala

Enriched Air Nitrox Level 2 (40%)

14 Nov 2025

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Jerry’s Dive Club Rasdhoo

Open Water Diver

16 Nov 2025

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Basic Diver

16 Nov 2025

In the SSI Basic Diver program, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to try diving up to 12 meters deep with an SSI Professional. It is a great way to explore the underwater world more fully as you try diving. The entire Basic Diver program can be credited towards the Scuba Diver or Open Water Dive programs within 6 months, so you can take the next step in your dive adventure.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Deep Diving

17 Nov 2025 + 3 more

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you all you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mixture of academic sessions and open water dives. You will learn to plan and safely complete your deep diving adventures and use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most from your deep dives. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Advanced Adventurer

10 Dec 2025

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Adventurer program! With this program, you can try a variety of specialties before committing to full specialty programs. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Adventurer Program, you will try out 5 different specialties. You will complete one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. With this trial program in specialty diving, you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full specialty programs any time in the future and credit your Advanced Adventurer training towards them.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Enriched Air Nitrox Level 2 (40%)

10 Dec 2025 + 1 more

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Bodu Manta Diving

Open Water Diver

10 Dec 2025

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★★ Madi Gaa

This cleaning station is located quite far (6.5km from Rasdhoo, 25mins by normal boat) inside the north channel of the atoll. The cleaning station is at just 12m depth and surrounded by a sandy bottom, making it perfect to kneel down at a distance to watch the manta ray cleaning show.

2,643
Logs
1,500
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Fish Head

Fish Head Thila was formerly known for its enormous population of grey reef sharks. Now it depends on luck, season and the current to see them. The reef plate starts at about 10 meters depth and there can be currents. Fast descent required.

6,942
Logs
4,771
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kuramathi Queen (Wreck)

This 40m long supply boat was sunk in 1987. Resting at a maximum depth of 20m, this site is perfect for all diving levels and, due to its sheltered location, makes a great night dive.

1,155
Logs
826
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
9.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Thoddoo Rangabeelu

One of Thoddoo best spots to dive with mantas. Located just in front of Sunrise bikini beach or 5 min boat ride from the harbor. Along the wall, there are some large formations of bell-shaped corals (the name of the dive site means Great Bells in Dhivehi).

2,250
Logs
421
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Moofushi Kandu

Moofushi Kandu is one of the prime channels in the Maldives to observe Grey Reef Sharks, Mantas, Eagle Rays and other big fellows. The channel entrance has a depth of 40 to 50 Meters. Crossings are only available at moderate currents

2,643
Logs
1,892
Divers
27.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Fesdhoo Wreck & Thila

This dive site is located on the outskirts of Fesdhoo Island and embodies a wreck next to a small thila (pinnacle). This site is better suited for nitrox divers.

2,852
Logs
2,308
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Rasdhoo Beyru

Rasdhoo Beyru is an interesting site with the wall of the island of Rasdhoo on one side and massive coral blocks (or thilas) mounted on the outside steep drop-off of the atoll. These two features create a corridor of sand between the inner reef and outer thilas. In some places, the corridor is only 20 meters wide.

3,783
Logs
1,931
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Madivaru Channel

Rasdhoo Madivaru is a channel located at the intersection of the local islands of Rasdhoo and Madivaru. Dive along the edge of parallel or perpendicular reef formations across the channel and explore the sandy areas.

5,137
Logs
2,255
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Thoddoo Turtle / Vella Ulhey Than

This dive site is located on a very long coral wall in the south-western part of the island. The slope fully covered by hard corals. Perfect for beginners as the top part of the dive site is just 3 meters deep. Ideal for turtle spotting.

277
Logs
95
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Bojaha Madi (Moofushi Rock)

Also known as Moofushi Manta Point, this spot is fantastic for manta rays from December till April. The dive can be extended with a nice drift along the reef wall.

1,628
Logs
1,074
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Rimas Thila

This dive site is located near the island of Moofushi and is for advanced or deep certified divers, the top reef starts at 18-20 meters and the pinnacle itself is long and narrow.

21
Logs
13
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
25.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Himandhoo Thila

Himandhoo Thila is located in the channel between the islands of Himandhoo and Moofushi. There is some interesting topography here with nice canyons and overhangs. Although this site is possible for all levels, beware of the current as it can get very strong.

350
Logs
240
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
22.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Safari Island House Reef

The house reef is a popular spot for snorkelers and divers and is home to a diverse marine life. The reef top starts between 2 to 3m and gently slopes down to a depth of 30 m

1,443
Logs
516
Divers
15.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Maalhos Thila

Also known as Blue Caves, this thila dive site is famous for its amazing array of blue and purple soft corals. The name comes from the large overhangs which you can easily swim inside of and have a look around.

1,044
Logs
940
Divers
28.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Bathala Maga Khan Thila

Bathala Maga Khan Thila is a legend among divers in North Ari Atoll. Located at the entrance of the Bathala channel it is facing the Ocean in way to create perfect conditions for Grey Reefsharks and napoleonfishes...

1,174
Logs
933
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Alif Alif Atol

Diving in Alif Alif Atoll can be challenging at times but there is something on offer for all divers. The drift dives along reefs and thilas tend to be gentle and suitable for those who have little experience with drift diving. Overhangs and caves, usually found deeper on the reefs provide a playground for the more advanced diver. For the truly adventurous, and suitably experienced, the kandu drift dives can provide very strong currents. These currents yield large pelagic life which follow the smaller fish into the channels.

There are over 10 resort islands to choose from, most of which have a dive centre. There are also dive centres on some of the other, larger inhabited islands Ukulhas and Mathiveri. Dive courses are possible at any of these, some advanced courses may even be doable from a liveaboard. Liveaboards might be the best way to see all the dive sites and is also often the most economical way of diving. Some may have minimum requirements though, so check before you book.

The best Months to dive in Alif Alif Atoll

Diving in Alif Alif Atoll can be challenging at times but there is something on offer for all divers. The drift dives along reefs and thilas tend to be gentle and suitable for those who have little experience with drift diving. Overhangs and caves, usually found deeper on the reefs provide a playground for the more advanced diver. For the truly adventurous, and suitably experienced, the kandu drift dives can provide very strong currents. These currents yield large pelagic life which follow the smaller fish into the channels.

There are over 10 resort islands to choose from, most of which have a dive centre. There are also dive centres on some of the other, larger inhabited islands Ukulhas and Mathiveri. Dive courses are possible at any of these, some advanced courses may even be doable from a liveaboard. Liveaboards might be the best way to see all the dive sites and is also often the most economical way of diving. Some may have minimum requirements though, so check before you book.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Bodu Manta Diving

Nikagas Magu, 09050 Bodufolhudhoo, MDV

Kuramathi Dive Club

Kuramathi Island Resort, 09140 Rasdhoo Atoll, MDV

Thoddoo Diving Center

Chandhanee magu, 09010 Thoddoo, MDV

Awequatic Divers

Breeze, 09020 Rasdhoo, MDV

Drop Dive Maldives

BODU MAGU, 09020 AA. Rasdhoo, MDV

Diving Centers Werner Lau Bathala

Nord Ari Atoll, 09090 Bathala Island Resort, MDV

Dive Club Buoyancy

Chaandhanee Magu, 09040 Mathiveri, MDV

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Ghaazee Magu, 09020 Rasdhoo, MDV

Seacrest Scuba

Miraaz, Vashaamagu, 09030 AA.Ukulhas, MDV

Reef Rangers Ukulhas

Vashaamagu, A.A Ukulhas, MDV

Murakabay Maldives

Jumbooreemagyu, 09030 Ukulhas, MDV

Joy Dive Safari

Safari Island Resort, 20119 North Ari Atoll, MDV

Jerry’s Dive Club Rasdhoo

Cooperation rd, 09020 Rasdhoo, MDV

Noovilu Sports

Kandolhu, North Ari Atoll, MDV