Explore Malé

Malé, located in the Central Atolls, is the bustling capital city of the Maldives. As the only airport in the Maldives with international flights, it is the epicentre of the archipelago. It is also one of the most densely populated cities on earth. It is located on the southern edge of North Malé, or Kaafu, Atoll. Because space is at such a premium, a nearby island called Hulhumalé has been reclaimed to provide more room.

It is the most easy-to-access part of the Maldives for tourists so it is unsurprising that there are lots of liveaboards, dive centres and dive resorts within easy reach. Most liveaboards that go and explore other atolls leave from here. It is also some of the most well established diving, as it is so close to the capital.

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    Diving in Malé

    Diving in Malé is characterised by submerged pinnacle reefs (thilas), caves, swim throughs, channel (kandu) drift dives and even some wrecks. Almost all liveaboards leave from here, meaning you have a wide selection to choose from. If you want to dive a lot and see as many sites as possible, this may be your best option. There are several dive resorts on nearby islands if you wish to stay close to the capital. There are also plenty in the wider Kaafu Atoll if you wish to go further afield. There are a couple of dive centres on the island itself, perfect if you want to do a dive course while staying in the city with even more on Hulhumalé.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Malé

    North Malé provides many healthy reefs to look for macro and reef fish in. The corals that coat many sites provide excellent macro hunting which can yield rare nudibranch, shrimp and pipefish. There are clouds of fish to enjoy; parrotfish munching on coral, hunting trevally and schools of fusiliers and jacks are present on almost every dive site and mean you’ll never be bored!

    Diving in Malé can yield great sightings of pelagic life - chiefly reef sharks and manta rays. Certain dive sites like Manta Point offer the best chances of seeing them, especially during the monsoon season.

    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

    8.5k Sightings
    J
    792
    F
    601
    M
    795
    A
    961
    M
    527
    J
    302
    J
    512
    A
    705
    S
    649
    O
    830
    N
    926
    D
    870
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    5.5k Sightings
    J
    527
    F
    459
    M
    553
    A
    635
    M
    290
    J
    209
    J
    361
    A
    488
    S
    299
    O
    499
    N
    609
    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

    4.7k Sightings
    J
    377
    F
    305
    M
    474
    A
    671
    M
    321
    J
    184
    J
    275
    A
    372
    S
    332
    O
    426
    N
    522
    D
    490
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    3.3k Sightings
    J
    334
    F
    293
    M
    340
    A
    383
    M
    182
    J
    152
    J
    299
    A
    254
    S
    200
    O
    262
    N
    316
    D
    327
    Reef Manta Ray

    Reef Manta Ray

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    104
    F
    83
    M
    102
    A
    150
    M
    105
    J
    88
    J
    141
    A
    336
    S
    364
    O
    489
    N
    557
    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

    1.9k Sightings
    J
    249
    F
    115
    M
    168
    A
    221
    M
    122
    J
    85
    J
    98
    A
    183
    S
    126
    O
    192
    N
    178
    D
    187
    Tiger Shark

    Tiger Shark

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    155
    F
    135
    M
    243
    A
    142
    M
    92
    J
    56
    J
    112
    A
    189
    S
    105
    O
    48
    N
    206
    D
    123
    Bull Shark

    Bull Shark

    969 Sightings
    J
    98
    F
    99
    M
    202
    A
    134
    M
    104
    J
    62
    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

    856 Sightings
    J
    123
    F
    93
    M
    106
    A
    121
    M
    33
    J
    7
    J
    21
    A
    25
    S
    38
    O
    85
    N
    138
    D
    66
    Great Hammerhead Shark

    Great Hammerhead Shark

    554 Sightings
    J
    38
    F
    33
    M
    82
    A
    64
    M
    41
    J
    15
    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

    468 Sightings
    J
    42
    F
    45
    M
    41
    A
    69
    M
    33
    J
    25
    J
    18
    A
    46
    S
    42
    O
    23
    N
    47
    D
    37
    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    450 Sightings
    J
    22
    F
    17
    M
    17
    A
    8
    M
    25
    J
    18
    J
    35
    A
    49
    S
    59
    O
    88
    N
    85
    D
    27
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    8.5k Sightings
    J
    801
    F
    666
    M
    807
    A
    929
    M
    488
    J
    354
    J
    561
    A
    763
    S
    593
    O
    820
    N
    969
    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

    6.7k Sightings
    J
    604
    F
    524
    M
    594
    A
    714
    M
    477
    J
    300
    J
    457
    A
    566
    S
    517
    O
    592
    N
    668
    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

    6.3k Sightings
    J
    621
    F
    466
    M
    583
    A
    663
    M
    409
    J
    302
    J
    381
    A
    522
    S
    496
    O
    575
    N
    621
    D
    645
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    5.4k Sightings
    J
    393
    F
    418
    M
    454
    A
    629
    M
    296
    J
    237
    J
    350
    A
    406
    S
    421
    O
    621
    N
    625
    D
    506

    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

    5.3k Sightings
    J
    550
    F
    401
    M
    533
    A
    571
    M
    324
    J
    249
    J
    354
    A
    436
    S
    402
    O
    487
    N
    443
    D
    593

    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

    5.3k Sightings
    J
    538
    F
    393
    M
    483
    A
    525
    M
    353
    J
    272
    J
    365
    A
    460
    S
    411
    O
    494
    N
    478
    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

    4.9k Sightings
    J
    483
    F
    348
    M
    416
    A
    465
    M
    340
    J
    223
    J
    332
    A
    445
    S
    400
    O
    494
    N
    470
    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

    4.7k Sightings
    J
    500
    F
    330
    M
    422
    A
    463
    M
    326
    J
    267
    J
    278
    A
    429
    S
    342
    O
    403
    N
    473
    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
    396
    F
    345
    M
    494
    A
    648
    M
    283
    J
    179
    J
    231
    A
    391
    S
    302
    O
    387
    N
    564
    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
    497
    F
    299
    M
    393
    A
    483
    M
    297
    J
    225
    J
    283
    A
    416
    S
    354
    O
    389
    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

    4.2k Sightings
    J
    393
    F
    254
    M
    375
    A
    380
    M
    280
    J
    230
    J
    291
    A
    355
    S
    359
    O
    434
    N
    430
    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

    4.2k Sightings
    J
    474
    F
    287
    M
    381
    A
    396
    M
    288
    J
    158
    J
    268
    A
    351
    S
    331
    O
    408
    N
    403
    D
    452
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark

    2.3k Sightings
    J
    268
    F
    204
    M
    212
    A
    298
    M
    140
    J
    58
    J
    118
    A
    166
    S
    143
    O
    225
    N
    236
    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
    232
    F
    190
    M
    182
    A
    239
    M
    123
    J
    107
    J
    128
    A
    212
    S
    185
    O
    187
    N
    240
    D
    271

    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

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    259
    F
    158
    M
    213
    A
    211
    M
    119
    J
    86
    J
    150
    A
    208
    S
    217
    O
    211
    N
    194
    D
    209

    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

    2.1k Sightings
    J
    234
    F
    158
    M
    169
    A
    187
    M
    136
    J
    115
    J
    113
    A
    175
    S
    208
    O
    190
    N
    227
    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
    157
    M
    162
    J
    118
    J
    104
    A
    170
    S
    160
    O
    225
    N
    163
    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

    2k Sightings
    J
    209
    F
    128
    M
    204
    A
    216
    M
    112
    J
    114
    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
    150
    F
    104
    M
    118
    A
    198
    M
    132
    J
    82
    J
    75
    A
    121
    S
    136
    O
    149
    N
    140
    D
    195

    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
    159
    M
    112
    J
    95
    J
    77
    A
    92
    S
    99
    O
    136
    N
    129
    D
    170

    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
    141
    A
    119
    M
    66
    J
    55
    J
    76
    A
    156
    S
    102
    O
    90
    N
    152
    D
    153

    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
    151
    F
    63
    M
    110
    A
    125
    M
    122
    J
    79
    J
    94
    A
    107
    S
    132
    O
    179
    N
    93
    D
    166

    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
    179
    F
    136
    M
    82
    A
    191
    M
    91
    J
    60
    J
    109
    A
    111
    S
    73
    O
    137
    N
    96
    D
    138
    Lemon Shark

    Lemon Shark

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    150
    F
    122
    M
    180
    A
    220
    M
    128
    J
    53
    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

    807 Sightings
    J
    98
    F
    29
    M
    73
    A
    63
    M
    43
    J
    22
    J
    35
    A
    66
    S
    98
    O
    116
    N
    73
    D
    91

    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

    787 Sightings
    J
    129
    F
    74
    M
    73
    A
    31
    M
    17
    J
    39
    J
    55
    A
    55
    S
    76
    O
    68
    N
    87
    D
    83
    Silvertip Shark

    Silvertip Shark

    683 Sightings
    J
    86
    F
    63
    M
    60
    A
    55
    M
    46
    J
    20
    J
    58
    A
    35
    S
    66
    O
    39
    N
    80
    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

    650 Sightings
    J
    89
    F
    54
    M
    39
    A
    54
    M
    19
    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

    573 Sightings
    J
    94
    F
    44
    M
    65
    A
    49
    M
    44
    J
    17
    J
    37
    A
    41
    S
    34
    O
    38
    N
    21
    D
    89

    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
    33
    J
    31
    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

    533 Sightings
    J
    50
    F
    24
    M
    47
    A
    60
    M
    43
    J
    13
    J
    27
    A
    35
    S
    39
    O
    75
    N
    61
    D
    59

    The best Months to dive in Malé

    Malé enjoys constant temperatures all year round, with the water temperatures rarely dropping below 27°C/81°F. There are two distinct seasons—the rainy and the dry. During the dry season (December–April) the winds are almost nonexistent, the seas are calm, and the visibility is often 40 meters/131 feet or more. This is the best time to dive, but it is also the most expensive time.

    The rainy season from June–November brings higher winds (and rougher seas as a result) with more rain, though there is plenty of sunshine as well! The winds bring in plankton, which decreases the visibility, but it does attract manta rays and whale sharks! Also, the prices go down during this season as it is less busy.

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