Explore Haa Dhaalu Atoll

Haa Dhaalu Atoll, located in the Northern Atolls of the Maldives, offers an exceptional diving experience that appeals to both beginners and advanced divers. The atoll is renowned for its wide channels and shallower thilas, which create the perfect conditions for novices to explore the underwater world with ease. These vibrant reefs are teeming with marine life, showcasing the Maldives' rich biodiversity. Divers can expect to encounter unique species such as the Napoleon fish, longnose hawkfish, and a variety of eels, sea turtles, and reef sharks in this underwater paradise.

One of the standout features of Haa Dhaalu Atoll is the Fushi Kandu dive site, where diverse marine environments can be explored. This site is characterized by its five distinct thilas located in a wide channel stretching one kilometer/half mile across. The underwater landscapes here vary from stunning reefs to drop-offs and caves, offering an adventurous experience for divers of all skill levels. Seasonal changes also bring varied sightings, enhancing the allure of diving in this region and making it a must-visit destination for any diving enthusiast.

Places to Explore

Haa Dhaalu Makunudhoo

The Makundhoo island is the westernmost island in the Maldives and populated by humans and filled with wonderful dive sites.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Barefoot House Reef

Within sight of our resort jetty and bordering our beautiful lagoon, the Barefoot House Reef is the perfect dive site for entry level and experienced divers alike. This is a shallow top reef, gently sloping to a sandy bottom at around 12m, often with very little to no current. Suitable for all.

96
Logs
38
Divers
14.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Hanimaadhoo South

Shallow top reef with interesting boulder and old coral formations, sloping to sand at an average of 20-25m. Deep overhangs and shelves close to the sandy bottom offering refuge and hiding places for lobsters, rays and grouper among others

34
Logs
16
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Heaven and Hell / Theefarido Thila

This long narrow “thila“ is made up of three separate pinnacles, starting from 30-35m and finishing with the shallowest part at 15m, this dive site is for those looking for a deeper dive. Best dived with nitrox.

51
Logs
39
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Finey Thila

Finey is one the most colourful thilas in the area. The top of thila is around 15 metres and drops to its base at around 30 metres. The entire thila wall is completely covered by yellow, blue, purple and orange soft corals. A small canyon at one end offers refuge to a vast array of species.

69
Logs
48
Divers
27.0 m
⌀ Depth
22.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Barefoot Thila

Surrounded by open ocean. Suitable for advanced divers only. Two separated thilas, the highest point of the first thila is at around 14 metres and it drops to its base until 30 metres.

33
Logs
21
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Hanimaadhoo Thila

A medium sized thila, the highest point being around 14 meters, dropping to its base at around 30 meters. Here we descend in open water, to the base, circling the thila a few times while shallowing, to discover many differences from bottom to top.

77
Logs
46
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Kuni Faru

A typically shallow top reef, gently sloping to a sandy bottom at 25-30m. The slope is covered with many large rock formations, small ledges and overhangs, offering refuges to fish, turtles, morays and some macro subjects.

23
Logs
8
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Hanimaadhoo Faru

This dive often begins on the shallower sandy patches, between the older coral formations within the natural, shallow lagoon. Moving to the edge, down and along the wall, eventually descending down to the sandy bottom at about 25 meters, where some large blocks of corals and rocks are full of life.

378
Logs
145
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★★ Sirru Thila

Small Thila dropping to 30m on the deepest side with a top at around 15m, located a short distance from the main faru (reef). Plenty of hard and soft corals with some overhangs on the deeper side, often patrolled by large jack fish, (blue fin and giant trevally), white tip reef sharks and sting rays on the sand

8
Logs
8
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Hanimaadhoo Out

Suitable for all levels of experience. The dive starts in shallow waters with a sloping top reef, dropping down to the sandy seabed at 25 metres.

117
Logs
61
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Hondaafushi Faru

A shallow house reef of Hondaafushi Island, starting at around 5 metres, sloping to beyond 18-20 metres in places. Some large boulders teeming with life on the top reef and slope with some small cave type overhangs, often hiding rays, whitetips and large groups of lobsters.

270
Logs
99
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Hanimaadhoo Corner

This dive spot is on the north-eastern corner of Hanimaadhoo Island. Suitable for all levels of experience. The top reef sits around 5-7m and is covered with interesting boulder and coral formations, gently sloping off to a sandy bottom at an average depth of 20m.

112
Logs
58
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Coral Garden

Located on the east side of Hondaafushi Island. Suitable for all levels of divers. The dive takes place on a sandy plateau, among many coral blocks and the acropora and table coral families, before sloping down to a sandy bottom at around 15-20m.

277
Logs
159
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
14.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Haa Dhaalu Atoll

Diving in Haa Dhaalu Atoll is accessible for all. Because of its underwater topography it makes it perfect for beginner diving courses. To benefit from one of these, have a look at the local dive resorts and dive centres. Most bg resorts have access to a dive centre but if you’re unsure, check before you travel.

For the more advanced diver, there are other myriad delights in store. The dive sites go deep enough to explore drop offs and overhangs to satisfy even the toughest customer. A fantastic advanced level dive site is Heaven and Hell which promises dramatic coral formations. A good option for an experienced diver might be a liveaboard. Many require a certain number of dives or certification level but they are a fantastic way to see all the dive sites and the atoll at large. If you plan on doing a lot of dives, it may also be the most cost effective choice.

The best Months to dive in Haa Dhaalu Atoll

Haa Dhaalu Atoll’s location in the Northern Atolls means that it enjoys a drier climate that it’s southern cousins. The weather year round rarely dips lower than 26 degrees and peak at in the low 30s. The water temperature is classic of the tropics, with temperatures comfortably staying in the high 20s, meaning that a shortie wetsuit is usually enough to keep you warm.

Between the months of November and May is the dry (and high) season. The winds are low, the seas are calm, the rain is minimal and the visibility is excellent. The only downside to this is that the prices sometimes rise due to increased demand on the resorts.

Between June and November is the monsoon season. This is a bit of a misnomer as it just means that there are more frequent rain showers - but it’s still perfect for a diving holiday. The only exception to this is that some diving may be suspended during June due to choppy seas. The prices come down slightly and the islands are relaxed leading to a more laid back vibe. The large plankton blooms during this time also bring in large pelagic life like manta rays and whale sharks!

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Diverland Hondaafushi

Embudu Village, Embudu, MDV