Explore Laamu Atoll

Nestled in the heart of the Maldives, Laamu Atoll offers a captivating diving experience marked by its tranquil beauty and diverse marine life. As the southernmost of the Central Atolls, Laamu is a haven for divers seeking both adventure and serenity, away from bustling crowds. With only one resort and several dive centers, visitors are encouraged to explore the atoll's pristine waters, either through local dive sites or on a liveaboard for an immersive experience.

Laamu Atoll boasts a variety of diving environments suitable for all skill levels. Novices can enjoy sloping interior reefs with gentle currents and excellent visibility, providing a perfect introduction to the underwater world. Advanced divers, on the other hand, can indulge in strong drift dives, where thrilling encounters with year-round manta rays await. The Fushi Kandi site, with its 250 meters/820 feet drift, is an extraordinary highlight, offering sightings of majestic Mobula rays and schools of barracudas. Unlike its southern neighbors, Laamu is known for its calmer waters, making it a preferred choice for novice divers looking to explore the Southern Atolls region.

Upcoming Events

  • 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
    May 16, 2026 +5 More
    $550.00

    Dive Activity

    Diving in Laamu Atoll

    The diving in Laamu Atoll is some of the best in the Maldives for beginners. The shape of the atoll protects the gently sloping interior reefs from the currents which sometimes batter the external reefs.  It also has fewer channels, which are known for their strong currents. For the more advanced divers, exposed pinnacles offer overhangs and caves in which you can shelter from the current and which can yield sharks and mobula manta rays.

    There is only 1 resort in Laamu and it is at the luxury end of any divers budget. The island of Gan (the largest in the Maldives!) has several guesthouses and dive centres available which also offer dive courses. This route presents more budget flexibility. Liveaboards, as always, might be the most efficient way to dive a lot. Most of them leave from Male and there are over 20 to choose from, to suit a variety of budgets. Be sure to check with your specific liveaboard as some require a minimum certification level or a minimum number of dives.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Laamu Atoll

    The healthy reefs in Laamu Atoll maybe not be as colourful as in other atolls but they are certainly packed with as much life. Looking into the cracks of rocks will yield honeycomb moray eels and cleaner shrimp. The corals play host to colourful nudibranch, anemonefish and kings of camouflage like leaf fish, frogfish and scorpionfish. This atoll boasts the ability to see manta rays all year round, unlike some others. They are still more common during the monsoons however, as food is more plentiful. Whale sharks have been sighted off Laamu but it does require a long boat journey of around an hour.

    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.: 25

    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray

    103 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    24
    M
    34
    A
    13
    M
    2
    J
    1
    J
    5
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    9

    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

    61 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    13
    M
    19
    A
    6
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    3
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    3
    D
    4
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    49 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    10
    M
    13
    A
    9
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    3
    D
    11

    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

    37 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    4
    M
    17
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    3
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    3
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    25 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    4
    M
    7
    A
    4
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    0
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    3
    D
    2
    Reef Manta Ray

    Reef Manta Ray

    22 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    2
    M
    6
    A
    1
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    3
    D
    7

    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

    22 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    4
    M
    14
    A
    1
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    0
    S
    0
    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 approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    10 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    3
    M
    3
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    0
    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    9 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    4
    M
    4
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    1
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    125 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    30
    M
    45
    A
    15
    M
    2
    J
    0
    J
    5
    A
    1
    S
    2
    O
    1
    N
    5
    D
    5
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark

    108 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    30
    M
    39
    A
    9
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    4
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    11

    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

    70 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    17
    M
    25
    A
    4
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    2
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    3
    D
    5

    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

    57 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    13
    M
    20
    A
    4
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    5
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    2
    N
    2
    D
    6

    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

    54 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    16
    M
    18
    A
    3
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    1
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    6

    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

    48 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    9
    M
    22
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    5
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    2
    D
    3

    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

    48 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    11
    M
    20
    A
    3
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    2
    A
    1
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    7
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    46 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    8
    M
    12
    A
    8
    M
    2
    J
    0
    J
    2
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    4
    D
    6

    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

    46 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    6
    M
    22
    A
    2
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    1
    S
    3
    O
    0
    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 approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    42 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    6
    M
    21
    A
    1
    M
    2
    J
    0
    J
    2
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    6

    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

    35 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    8
    M
    14
    A
    3
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    4
    A
    0
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    3

    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

    31 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    8
    M
    16
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    3

    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

    24 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    6
    M
    8
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    1
    S
    0
    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 approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    20 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    5
    M
    9
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    3
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    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 approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    18 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    4
    M
    8
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    1
    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 approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    18 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    4
    M
    6
    A
    3
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    3
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    1

    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

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

    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

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

    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

    10 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    4
    M
    4
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    0

    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

    9 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    3
    M
    3
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    0
    Silvertip Shark

    Silvertip Shark

    9 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    2
    M
    5
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    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 approx.: 3

    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish

    8 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    4

    The best Months to dive in Laamu Atoll

    Laamu Atoll diving is idyllic all year round. Though it is subject to seasons, the water and air temperatures stay consistently in the high 20s°C/80s°F. The dry season runs from December to April and provides textbook diving conditions. The wind is almost nonexistent, the rain is minimal, and it feels as though the sun shines constantly. All of these things mean that the sea is calm and the visibility is gin-clear.

    The rainy season is from May to November. There is still more than enough sunshine for a beach holiday; there are just more frequent rain showers. The winds also pick up, which can make the seas choppier, reducing visibility. Some dive centers may suspend operations in June due to the weather, so be sure to check if you are traveling at this time. Benefits of traveling in this season are that the rates of many resorts come down, and the plankton blooms bring in more manta rays and whale sharks.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites