Explore Kaafu Atoll

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.

Kaafu Atoll diving is some of the most well established as it has been open to tourism for longer than other atolls. Though some of the dive sites may be busier, there is more choice in terms of dive resorts, centres and liveaboards. Diving in Kaafu Atoll is diverse and beautiful - it has manta cleaning stations, caves, drift dives, wrecks and barrier reefs covered in unparalleled coral formations.

Top Regions to Explore

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  • Open Water Diver

    Open Water Diver

    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.The course begins with SSI digital learning materials available in different languages, allowing students to study the theory in advance. We also review the theory together in a practical and easy-to-understand way. When students understand the purpose behind diving rules and skills, it becomes much easier to remember and apply them during every dive.The first two days combine theory explanations with confined water training. Students begin practicing skills and become comfortable underwater at a relaxed pace. We take two days to avoid stress and allow more time for practice. Training is conducted in small groups, ensuring very personal attention and support.The following two days include the open water dives from the boat, where students apply their skills and learn how to plan and conduct dives in the ocean up to 18 meters (12 meters for participants aged 10–11 years old).As a small dive center, we focus on personalized training and small groups so every student receives the guidance needed to become a safe, confident diver.Included in the course price:SSI online learning materials, theory sessions, official certification, Instructors, boat trips, full diving equipment, lunch, water, towels, fuel.Additional costs (if applicable):Medical examination if required, travel insurance, personal equipment purchases, or additional training or fun dives.

    Ayala Bubbles, Burevi Magu, 08070, Guhli, MDV
    June 27, 2026 +22 More
    $550.00

    Dive Activity

    Diving in Kaafu Atoll

    Because of its proximity to the capital city Malé, there is no shortage of choice in Kaafu Atoll. With over 40 resort islands, and nearly countless inns and guest houses on the inhabited islands like Dhiffushi and Maafushi, you will be spoilt for choice. Most dedicated resorts will have a dive centre attached, but not all facilitate diving courses so check before you go if this is something you are looking for. If you are not staying at a specific dive resort, check with your guesthouse to see if there is a dive centre on the island so you’re not disappointed.

    Liveaboards are by far the easiest way to dive a lot and in lots of dive sites. It is close to Malé which is where many boats leave from so many pass by Kaafu Atoll early in their journey. There are lots of liveaboards for all budgets but do check on the minimum dive requirements before booking.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites

    The best Months to dive in Kaafu Atoll

    The diving in Kaafu Atoll is accessible all year round due to consistent air and water temperatures. It is subject to a monsoon season from May to November. The dry season, from December to April makes for some fantastic diving conditions. Minimal wind and rain and maximum sunshine means that the days are warm and the oceans are still, with excellent visibility.

    During the monsoon, the winds increase and there are more frequent rain showers, though they usually only last for a couple of hours. The winds make the seas rougher, which can disrupt diving trips. They also blow in blooms of plankton which can reduce the visibility in some places. The upside of this is that it also attracts filter feeders like manta rays and whale sharks to hoover up the extra food!

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Kaafu Atoll

    Kaafu Atoll diving centres mainly around it’s reefs. South and North Malé offer slightly different reef conditions. The corals in North Malé are some of the most stunning in the world. Stunning reefs mean healthy reefs and they have life in abundance. Schools of fusiliers and snappers, frogfish, moray eels, nudibranch and thousands of colourful reef fish suspended over coral make for truly stunning diving. South Malé also offers beautiful diving, but the strong currents that surround the atoll mean that there is more pelagic life to be found. Though reef sharks, manta rays and whale sharks can be found in both atolls, they are much more common in the south.

    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 approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    8.7k Sightings
    J
    794
    F
    602
    M
    795
    A
    968
    M
    643
    J
    353
    J
    513
    A
    713
    S
    649
    O
    832
    N
    933
    D
    872
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    5.6k Sightings
    J
    529
    F
    460
    M
    553
    A
    640
    M
    374
    J
    292
    J
    361
    A
    489
    S
    299
    O
    499
    N
    610
    D
    524

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

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray

    4.9k Sightings
    J
    379
    F
    306
    M
    475
    A
    676
    M
    414
    J
    219
    J
    275
    A
    373
    S
    332
    O
    427
    N
    528
    D
    490
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    3.4k Sightings
    J
    337
    F
    294
    M
    341
    A
    384
    M
    205
    J
    186
    J
    299
    A
    255
    S
    201
    O
    262
    N
    317
    D
    325
    Reef Manta Ray

    Reef Manta Ray

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    105
    F
    83
    M
    102
    A
    150
    M
    141
    J
    115
    J
    141
    A
    338
    S
    365
    O
    489
    N
    558
    D
    248

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

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    2k Sightings
    J
    247
    F
    115
    M
    168
    A
    222
    M
    153
    J
    102
    J
    98
    A
    184
    S
    126
    O
    193
    N
    179
    D
    187
    Tiger Shark

    Tiger Shark

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    155
    F
    135
    M
    244
    A
    142
    M
    98
    J
    61
    J
    112
    A
    189
    S
    105
    O
    48
    N
    207
    D
    123
    Bull Shark

    Bull Shark

    1k Sightings
    J
    98
    F
    100
    M
    202
    A
    134
    M
    122
    J
    83
    J
    64
    A
    60
    S
    59
    O
    12
    N
    36
    D
    39

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

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    868 Sightings
    J
    123
    F
    93
    M
    107
    A
    121
    M
    43
    J
    10
    J
    21
    A
    25
    S
    38
    O
    85
    N
    138
    D
    64
    Great Hammerhead Shark

    Great Hammerhead Shark

    574 Sightings
    J
    38
    F
    34
    M
    82
    A
    64
    M
    50
    J
    25
    J
    62
    A
    65
    S
    43
    O
    28
    N
    37
    D
    46

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

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    471 Sightings
    J
    42
    F
    45
    M
    41
    A
    69
    M
    43
    J
    18
    J
    18
    A
    46
    S
    42
    O
    23
    N
    47
    D
    37
    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    457 Sightings
    J
    22
    F
    17
    M
    17
    A
    8
    M
    24
    J
    26
    J
    35
    A
    49
    S
    59
    O
    88
    N
    85
    D
    27
    Loggerhead Turtle

    Loggerhead Turtle

    285 Sightings
    J
    34
    F
    14
    M
    27
    A
    47
    M
    31
    J
    6
    J
    34
    A
    30
    S
    9
    O
    32
    N
    10
    D
    11
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    8.7k Sightings
    J
    801
    F
    667
    M
    811
    A
    931
    M
    579
    J
    448
    J
    562
    A
    765
    S
    593
    O
    821
    N
    973
    D
    786

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

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    6.9k Sightings
    J
    605
    F
    525
    M
    595
    A
    717
    M
    575
    J
    366
    J
    457
    A
    571
    S
    517
    O
    604
    N
    674
    D
    677

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

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    6.4k Sightings
    J
    619
    F
    464
    M
    583
    A
    666
    M
    489
    J
    360
    J
    382
    A
    522
    S
    496
    O
    576
    N
    626
    D
    645

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

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    5.5k Sightings
    J
    550
    F
    401
    M
    532
    A
    577
    M
    410
    J
    288
    J
    355
    A
    439
    S
    402
    O
    488
    N
    446
    D
    595
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    5.5k Sightings
    J
    395
    F
    419
    M
    454
    A
    630
    M
    361
    J
    271
    J
    350
    A
    406
    S
    422
    O
    622
    N
    628
    D
    506

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

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    5.5k Sightings
    J
    538
    F
    391
    M
    483
    A
    535
    M
    446
    J
    315
    J
    366
    A
    463
    S
    411
    O
    494
    N
    475
    D
    547

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

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    5k Sightings
    J
    483
    F
    350
    M
    416
    A
    469
    M
    413
    J
    264
    J
    333
    A
    445
    S
    400
    O
    494
    N
    474
    D
    500

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

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    4.8k Sightings
    J
    500
    F
    330
    M
    422
    A
    468
    M
    383
    J
    294
    J
    284
    A
    430
    S
    342
    O
    404
    N
    477
    D
    491

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

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    4.7k Sightings
    J
    397
    F
    345
    M
    497
    A
    650
    M
    329
    J
    196
    J
    231
    A
    393
    S
    302
    O
    387
    N
    566
    D
    437

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

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    4.6k Sightings
    J
    495
    F
    299
    M
    384
    A
    488
    M
    356
    J
    255
    J
    284
    A
    418
    S
    354
    O
    390
    N
    434
    D
    492

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

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    4.3k Sightings
    J
    393
    F
    255
    M
    375
    A
    375
    M
    357
    J
    264
    J
    292
    A
    357
    S
    359
    O
    434
    N
    434
    D
    435

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

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    4.3k Sightings
    J
    475
    F
    288
    M
    372
    A
    397
    M
    338
    J
    174
    J
    269
    A
    353
    S
    331
    O
    409
    N
    407
    D
    452
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark

    2.4k Sightings
    J
    269
    F
    205
    M
    212
    A
    292
    M
    173
    J
    66
    J
    118
    A
    166
    S
    143
    O
    226
    N
    238
    D
    251

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

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    2.3k Sightings
    J
    233
    F
    190
    M
    182
    A
    241
    M
    139
    J
    123
    J
    128
    A
    214
    S
    185
    O
    187
    N
    241
    D
    272

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

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    2.3k Sightings
    J
    259
    F
    158
    M
    213
    A
    211
    M
    148
    J
    102
    J
    150
    A
    212
    S
    217
    O
    211
    N
    199
    D
    207

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

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    234
    F
    158
    M
    169
    A
    188
    M
    171
    J
    118
    J
    113
    A
    175
    S
    208
    O
    190
    N
    229
    D
    205

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

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    2.1k Sightings
    J
    283
    F
    174
    M
    172
    A
    154
    M
    173
    J
    123
    J
    110
    A
    170
    S
    160
    O
    225
    N
    162
    D
    226

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

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    2.1k Sightings
    J
    209
    F
    128
    M
    204
    A
    220
    M
    127
    J
    128
    J
    125
    A
    172
    S
    156
    O
    172
    N
    164
    D
    249

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

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    151
    F
    104
    M
    118
    A
    195
    M
    158
    J
    75
    J
    75
    A
    122
    S
    136
    O
    149
    N
    144
    D
    193

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

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    167
    F
    81
    M
    183
    A
    160
    M
    122
    J
    104
    J
    77
    A
    93
    S
    99
    O
    136
    N
    129
    D
    168

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

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Tuna

    Tuna

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    183
    F
    166
    M
    142
    A
    120
    M
    81
    J
    59
    J
    76
    A
    156
    S
    102
    O
    90
    N
    153
    D
    153

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

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    Nurse Shark

    Nurse Shark

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    177
    F
    136
    M
    85
    A
    192
    M
    113
    J
    64
    J
    109
    A
    112
    S
    73
    O
    137
    N
    97
    D
    138

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

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    149
    F
    63
    M
    110
    A
    125
    M
    132
    J
    81
    J
    94
    A
    107
    S
    132
    O
    179
    N
    93
    D
    166
    Lemon Shark

    Lemon Shark

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    151
    F
    122
    M
    180
    A
    225
    M
    145
    J
    66
    J
    78
    A
    94
    S
    53
    O
    44
    N
    77
    D
    63

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

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    838 Sightings
    J
    98
    F
    29
    M
    73
    A
    63
    M
    61
    J
    34
    J
    35
    A
    66
    S
    98
    O
    116
    N
    73
    D
    92

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

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    812 Sightings
    J
    129
    F
    74
    M
    73
    A
    31
    M
    42
    J
    39
    J
    55
    A
    55
    S
    76
    O
    68
    N
    87
    D
    83
    Silvertip Shark

    Silvertip Shark

    696 Sightings
    J
    86
    F
    63
    M
    60
    A
    56
    M
    50
    J
    26
    J
    58
    A
    35
    S
    66
    O
    40
    N
    81
    D
    75

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

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Guitarfish

    Guitarfish

    656 Sightings
    J
    89
    F
    54
    M
    39
    A
    56
    M
    23
    J
    24
    J
    34
    A
    58
    S
    43
    O
    49
    N
    110
    D
    77

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

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    583 Sightings
    J
    94
    F
    44
    M
    65
    A
    50
    M
    47
    J
    24
    J
    37
    A
    42
    S
    34
    O
    38
    N
    21
    D
    87

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

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Emperor

    Emperor

    560 Sightings
    J
    104
    F
    57
    M
    54
    A
    27
    M
    30
    J
    34
    J
    26
    A
    44
    S
    29
    O
    37
    N
    37
    D
    81

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

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    528 Sightings
    J
    50
    F
    24
    M
    47
    A
    60
    M
    37
    J
    15
    J
    27
    A
    36
    S
    39
    O
    75
    N
    61
    D
    57

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

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster

    423 Sightings
    J
    49
    F
    16
    M
    27
    A
    36
    M
    27
    J
    5
    J
    34
    A
    43
    S
    31
    O
    60
    N
    43
    D
    52

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

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    374 Sightings
    J
    22
    F
    29
    M
    49
    A
    34
    M
    27
    J
    9
    J
    28
    A
    37
    S
    23
    O
    30
    N
    31
    D
    55

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

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    314 Sightings
    J
    48
    F
    60
    M
    21
    A
    20
    M
    35
    J
    27
    J
    24
    A
    16
    S
    17
    O
    7
    N
    22
    D
    17
    Oceanic Blacktip Shark

    Oceanic Blacktip Shark

    310 Sightings
    J
    42
    F
    26
    M
    22
    A
    44
    M
    11
    J
    5
    J
    10
    A
    21
    S
    20
    O
    19
    N
    48
    D
    42

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

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Sand Eel

    Sand Eel

    295 Sightings
    J
    37
    F
    28
    M
    26
    A
    16
    M
    24
    J
    20
    J
    11
    A
    25
    S
    11
    O
    46
    N
    29
    D
    22
    Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

    Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

    268 Sightings
    J
    38
    F
    17
    M
    20
    A
    33
    M
    10
    J
    5
    J
    11
    A
    31
    S
    13
    O
    14
    N
    26
    D
    50

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