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

Scubapro

Haa Dhaalu Makunudhoo

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

Dive Activity

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.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Haa Dhaalu Atoll

The marine life in Haa Dhaalu Atoll  is classically Maldivian. Schooling fusiliers and groups of hunting trevally and tuna out in the blue are only the start of it. If you’re into macro hunting on the reefs, you will not be disappointed. Big pelagic life is present all over the Northern Atolls. At certain dive sites, mantas may be seen during the monsoon season. All year round, you can see large tuna, schools of fish and reef sharks - there is no hunting for the interesting life here, it will find you!

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

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
94 Sightings
J
5
F
7
M
14
A
16
M
6
J
5
J
2
A
5
S
5
O
17
N
9
D
3
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
55 Sightings
J
2
F
7
M
13
A
4
M
2
J
2
J
0
A
5
S
2
O
12
N
2
D
4

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
52 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
11
A
10
M
0
J
3
J
5
A
3
S
1
O
12
N
2
D
2

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
49 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
15
A
10
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
5
O
2
N
7
D
2
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
24 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
4
A
6
M
0
J
3
J
0
A
3
S
0
O
2
N
3
D
0
iStock-crisod

Reef Manta Ray
20 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
2
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
1
O
4
N
4
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
14 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
8
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
1
D
0
iStock/Divepic

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
12 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
1
O
4
N
1
D
3
AdobeStock-wildestanimal

Common Dolphin
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
99 Sightings
J
1
F
10
M
20
A
12
M
2
J
4
J
9
A
7
S
4
O
15
N
13
D
2
Show More
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
96 Sightings
J
6
F
12
M
19
A
13
M
4
J
4
J
2
A
7
S
3
O
10
N
12
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
87 Sightings
J
0
F
10
M
17
A
11
M
3
J
4
J
6
A
5
S
3
O
16
N
9
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
87 Sightings
J
1
F
9
M
16
A
11
M
2
J
4
J
10
A
2
S
4
O
16
N
9
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
85 Sightings
J
0
F
7
M
16
A
10
M
3
J
2
J
11
A
8
S
6
O
15
N
5
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
84 Sightings
J
2
F
7
M
13
A
13
M
3
J
4
J
6
A
7
S
3
O
12
N
12
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
77 Sightings
J
4
F
7
M
12
A
9
M
3
J
1
J
8
A
5
S
7
O
10
N
8
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
77 Sightings
J
0
F
5
M
17
A
11
M
0
J
1
J
8
A
5
S
4
O
16
N
7
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
76 Sightings
J
1
F
8
M
15
A
15
M
2
J
3
J
7
A
4
S
1
O
13
N
5
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
67 Sightings
J
1
F
8
M
15
A
11
M
2
J
4
J
6
A
3
S
4
O
7
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
65 Sightings
J
3
F
8
M
19
A
8
M
4
J
2
J
2
A
3
S
5
O
5
N
5
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
51 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
17
A
9
M
1
J
2
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
3
N
4
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
38 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
10
A
11
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
2
S
1
O
4
N
2
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
37 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
11
A
7
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
3
S
4
O
2
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
36 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
15
A
5
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
3
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak

Nurse Shark
34 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
7
A
7
M
0
J
1
J
7
A
3
S
4
O
0
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
34 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
8
A
8
M
2
J
1
J
0
A
1
S
2
O
3
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
30 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
4
A
3
M
1
J
4
J
7
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
2
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
28 Sightings
J
1
F
5
M
13
A
1
M
3
J
1
J
0
A
2
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
27 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
7
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
5
S
1
O
4
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
26 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
14
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
26 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
7
A
5
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
6
N
3
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
22 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
9
A
4
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
3
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
6
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
17 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
3
A
2
M
1
J
2
J
2
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
15 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
4
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
14 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
4
A
2
M
3
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
14 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
6
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer

Grey Reef Shark
11 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
4
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
2
O
2
N
0
D
2
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
5
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
2
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

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 than its southern cousins. The weather year-round rarely dips lower than 26°C/79°F and peaks in the low 30s°C/high 80s°F. The water temperature is classic of the tropics, with temperatures comfortably staying in the high 20s°C/mid-80s°F, 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 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!

Dive Centers

Diverland Hondaafushi

Embudu Village, Embudu, MDV

Hanimaadhoo Dive & Watersports

Happy Life, Ameenee Magu, 02020 Hanimaadhoo, MDV

Dive Sites

The Barefoot Diving Center, Hanimaadhoo

Barefoot House Reef (★3.8)

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.
Mares

Hanimaadhoo South (★3.5)

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
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Heaven and Hell / Theefarido Thila (★4.4)

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.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Finey Thila (★4.3)

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.
Scubapro

Barefoot Thila (★3.9)

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.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Hanimaadhoo Thila (★4.4)

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.
Scubapro

Kuni Faru (★4.4)

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.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Hanimaadhoo Faru (★3.8)

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.
Aqualung

Sirru Thila (★4.7)

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
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Hanimaadhoo Out (★3.8)

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.
Mares

Hondaafushi Faru (★3.7)

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.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Hanimaadhoo Corner (★4.1)

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.
Scubapro

Coral Garden (★4.1)

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.