Explore Central Atolls

The Central Atolls of the Maldives offer some of the most captivating diving experiences in the world, weaving together thrilling encounters with diverse marine life, stunning underwater sceneries, and vibrant Maldivian culture. Known for their accessible location due to the proximity of Malé and its international airport, these atolls, including Vaavu, Ari, and Rasdhoo, provide a perfect gateway for divers seeking adventure in the Indian Ocean. Each atoll presents a unique diving character, with numerous dive centers and resorts catering to different preferences. The region is particularly famous for its exhilarating kandu channel dives, where strong currents bring an abundance of pelagic creatures, creating a mesmerizing underwater spectacle. Diving in the Central Atolls is synonymous with encounters with majestic manta rays, especially in areas like Baa Atoll during the wet season, when these gentle giants gather for feeding frenzies. Ari Atoll stands out as a premier diving destination, offering rich marine biodiversity and dense fish populations that captivate both novice and experienced divers. Opting for a liveaboard trip ensures an immersive dive journey, allowing exploration of multiple dive sites with ease and comfort. Beyond the underwater allure, the Central Atolls also enchant with their cultural richness, from the colorful architecture of Malé to the serene white sand beaches and ornate mosques, making it a holistic dive travel experience.

Places to Explore

Kaafu Atoll

219 Divesites 30 Centers

Kaafu Atoll is located in the Central Atolls of the Maldives. It consists of North Malé and the quieter South Malé Atolls, as well as the islands of Kaashidhoo and Gaafaru. It is also home to the capital island of Malé and its sister island of reclaimed land (and which has the international airport), Hulhumale. It is the largest atoll, both in terms of economy and tourism.

Ari Atoll

Ari Atoll is one of the biggest atolls in the Maldives with 105 islands. Spread over an area of 267km square, it is split into 2 regions. South Ari, also known as Alif Dhaa, has 49 islands and North Ari is also known as Alif Alif and has 33 islands.

Southern Nilandhe Atoll

A great spot for beginners to start their diving journey, the Southern Nilandhe Atoll is wider, shallower and has weaker currents than other areas of Maldives.

North Nilandhe Atoll

The most recognizable channel in the Northern Nilandhe Atoll is Filitheyo Thandu, another protected marine area.

Thaa Atoll

Thaa atoll has great coral gardens to explore with the Caribbean Garden and the Gorgonian Garden being the most famous ones.

Meemu Atoll

30 Divesites 1 Center

Mulee Island is generally considered the best diving location in the Meemu Atoll.

Vaavuu Atoll

9 Divesites

Vaavu is the easternmost atoll of the Maldives and has diving areas for all levels of divers.

Baa Atoll

13 Divesites 5 Centers

Baa Atoll has over 1,200 types of reef fish and over 250 species of coral, the most in all of the Indian Ocean

Alif Dhaalu

14 Divesites 2 Centers

Alif Dhaalu Atoll (South Ari Atoll) is located in the southwest part of the Central Atolls. It is also known as the Alif Dhaalu Atoll. It features shallower and easier diving that North Ari. Due to its large number of dive resorts and dive centres, is popular for dive courses. It is one of the largest and most well established atolls in terms of tourism and it is busier than others as a result.

Faafu Atoll

1 Center

Faafu Atoll in the Central Atolls is one of the quietest and least visited. The diving here is stunning, as it is all over the Maldives, and you will probably be the only dive boat there! With only 5 inhabited islands and one dive resort, this could be the relaxed holiday you’ve been looking for. Reefs, caves and channel dives will satisfy all your desires. You can even spot manta rays!

Alif Alif

52 Divesites 14 Centers

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.

Dhaalu Atoll

1 Divesite 2 Centers

Dhaalu Atoll (South Nilandhe) is actually half of the Nilandhe Atoll which also includes Faafu. It is made up of 56 islands of which only 7 are inhabited. The capital is Kudahuvadhoo, it has an airport with regular flights from Malé. This is a rapidly developing area but for the moment, it is still relatively remote. The chances of you being the only dive boat in sight are very high.

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Ocean Warriors Institute

Enriched Air Nitrox Level 2 (40%)

14 Nov 2025 + 27 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

Joy Dive Safari

Basic Diver

Contact the Center for more information.

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

Awequatic Divers

Open Water Diver

13 Nov 2025 + 1 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

Awequatic Divers

Marine Ecology

13 Nov 2025

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

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Open Water Diver

13 Nov 2025 + 3 more

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Ocean Warriors Institute

Deep Diving

14 Nov 2025

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

Diving Centers Werner Lau Bathala

Enriched Air Nitrox Level 2 (40%)

14 Nov 2025

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Jerry’s Dive Club Rasdhoo

Open Water Diver

16 Nov 2025

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Basic Diver

16 Nov 2025

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Deep Diving

17 Nov 2025 + 3 more

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Maldives

教练评估 - IE

18 Nov 2025

从今天开始 - 您需要成为潜水长或同等资格人员才能参加 SSI 的三步教官培训方法。培训过程从参加助理教练/教练培训课程开始，并结合数字学习。成功完成教练培训课程（ITC）后，您将参加教练评估（IE），以获得SSI开放水域教练资格。在为期 10 天的培训课程中，您可以独立教授 SSI 的各种主要项目，如水肺潜水员、开放水域潜水员、高氧空气潜水员、潜水员压力与救援以及潜水向导。

对于那些希望花更多时间学习并在培训课程之间获得宝贵教学经验的学员，也可以按照自己的节奏和灵活的时间安排，将助理教练、教练培训课程（ITC）和教练评估（IE）这三个部分作为一个单独的步骤来学习。

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Dive Point Guraidhoo

Science Of Diving

20 Nov 2025

Join the SSI Science of Diving specialty and you will develop a complete understanding of the underwater world and its effects on the human body. This specialty is required training for most SSI Professional programs, as well as some Extended Range programs, and is an essential way to expand your dive knowledge. Available online, you can earn your SSI Science of Diving specialty certification from home and get ready to begin your dive professional career. Upon completion, you will be halfway to earning the coveted SSI Divemaster rating and earn the SSI Science of Diving specialty certification.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★★ Aquarium / Lhohifushi Corner

This dive site is located right next to the island. The long reef ends into a corner of the canal. Here you can see several highlights. A very nice dive site for beginners as well as experienced divers.

★★★★★ HP Reef / Rainbow Reef

One of the most colorful dive sites in North Male Atoll. On the south side of Girifushi island with abundant fish life and very nice soft corals, there are numerous blue soft corals and a swim through. The current can be strong!

★★★★★ West Rock (Wreck)

West Rock is home to a small wreck that is easy to dive, which lies upright in a small bay at a depth of about 26m. Parts of the hold can be explored. The superstructure and the mast come down to 10m.

★★★★☆ Okobe Thila

This amazing reef are 3 blocks. The biggest begins in the south between 80-100m long and it's full of corals, it would be nice we can start here. In the east we have another wonderful block a bit similar to east block Maya Thila covert full with corals. In the north is the smallest block. AOW or higher

★★★★☆ Sunlight Thila

Sunlight Thila is a formation of two small reefs that attract giant manta rays between March and October. Between the reefs lies a 60-meter long sandy bottom boasting small coral formations with plenty of cleaner wrasses.

★★★★☆ Himmafushi Corner

Himmafushi Corner is a drift dive, best suited for divers with a lot of experience as this dive is deep and can have strong currents. The corner slopes from 5 to 30m and after that comes to a small drop off to 45/50m. This dive should only be conducted during the incoming current.

★★★★★ Karens Block

Really nice drift dive on a sloping wall and blocks in the more sloping area full of soft corals and marine life. It starts at 4 to 5 meters and goes down to 30+ meters and is one side of a channel. You can expect current but not too strong.

★★★★★ Back Kani

Easy but always nice dive. The top of the reef drops down from 7m to 30/35m and then runs into the sand. Depending on the current, you simply dive the right or left shoulder. With a little luck, this dive site offers everything that makes diving exciting!

★★★★☆ Lohis

This drift dive is a slope from 5 to 25m. Some big blocks are on the way. There you will find big turtles and sharks passing by. On top of the reef, you see parrotfish, napoleon, morays, and eagle rays.

★★★★★ Kani Thila

Kani Thila is about 400m from Kani inside and should only be dived by experienced divers. It is already very deep and you must always keep an eye on the air supply. There are overhangs with black coral bushes and on the reef top there are bubble anemones.

★★★★☆ Nassimo Thila

Probably one of the best Thilas in the whole North Male area. There are several pinnacles on the north of the Thila, where the main fish are, along with beautiful coral formations and sea fans. Wonderful dive for experienced divers due to the strong current.

★★★★★ Digufaru Thila

This is a small thila 80m long and 70m wide in the middle of a channel which promises a lot of currents. Due to the current, this dive site should be dived by experienced divers only, or those who are willing to learn! Smart diving in the current’s shade required or the right place to be shown by an experienced instructor.

★★★★☆ Huraa Etere

An easy dive site which is ideal for open water dives 3 and 4 OWD, but also offers nice macro stuff. You can find them at the mini wreck or the cargo that lies around the hull on the ground (16-19m). A little further out west (20m) we find a small thila.

★★★★☆ Fish Tank

This dive site has many names, Fish Tank, Fish Factory, Stingray City and they all fit! There is actually a fish factory on the island and this is the reason why there are so many rays and moray eels.

★★★★☆ Maarikilu Caves

nice drift dive first in a small bay and later on a steep wall. In the bay, sloping from 4 to 22m to then have a small dropoff. With a bit of luck you can see the wonderful manta rays passing by here from January to April.

Diving in Central Atolls

The Central Atolls in the Maldives offer a mesmerizing array of dive sites known for their vibrant marine life and stunning coral formations. Among the top dive spots is the Machchafushi Wreck, an enthralling dive experience where divers can explore a sunken cargo ship teeming with marine life. This site is a favorite for wreck enthusiasts and provides a unique glimpse into the region's underwater history.

For those preferring shore dives, the Central Atolls do not disappoint. Dives along the house reefs of island resorts offer easy access to thriving underwater ecosystems, making them popular with beginners and experienced divers alike. The balance between shore and liveaboard diving ensures divers can tailor their experiences, whether they seek the comfort of daily dives from a resort or the adventure of exploring multiple sites on a liveaboard. Night dives reveal the magical behavior of marine life, such as the mesmerizing feeding frenzies of manta rays, adding another layer of excitement to these underwater adventures.

The best Months to dive in Central Atolls

The Central Atolls offer excellent diving conditions year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F. Visibility is typically impressive, often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet. The region is known for its rich marine life and vibrant coral reefs, making it a favorite among divers.

Diving is possible throughout the year, but the best conditions are generally from November to April when the northeast monsoon ensures calmer seas and milder currents. During the southwest monsoon from May to October, divers may encounter stronger currents and less predictable weather, although diving remains feasible. Planning your trip during the peak diving season can enhance your experience with optimal conditions.