Explore North Malé Atoll
North Male Atoll in the Maldives is incredibly beautiful, with its shimmering turquoise waters and white sandy islands. The diving here is hugely varied and a conveniently short hop from the main airport in Male.
Due to the proximity with the capital, Male, there are plenty of options when scuba diving in North Male Atoll. Dive resorts and dive centers are plentiful on the inhabited islands and most offer dive courses of all levels. Liveaboards are a popular way to dive in the Maldives and most pass through North Male Atoll as they leave the capital.
Local highlights include diving with manta rays and whale sharks and exploring fascinating dive sites which include caves, overhangs, drifts and even a wreck.
Dive Activity
Diving in North Malé Atoll
Due to its proximity to the capital of Male, you are spoilt for choice when scuba diving in North Male Atoll. Many liveaboards start their journey in the capital and visit these dive sites and there are numerous dive resorts nearby.
North Male Atoll diving offers much variety - you can find classic Maldivian thilas (or pinnacles) carpeted in coral, along with overhangs and walls which are great for exploring. There is even a manta cleaning station and a wreck to enjoy.
Top Wildlife Sightings in North Malé Atoll
Due to its proximity to the capital of Male, you are spoilt for choice when scuba diving in North Male Atoll. Many liveaboards start their journey in the capital and visit these dive sites and there are numerous dive resorts nearby.
North Male Atoll diving offers much variety - you can find classic Maldivian thilas (or pinnacles) carpeted in coral, along with overhangs and walls which are great for exploring. There is even a manta cleaning station and a wreck to enjoy.
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
iStock/Juliosanjuan
479 Sightings
J
34
F
31
M
34
A
36
M
34
J
34
J
56
A
27
S
28
O
61
N
36
D
68
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
469 Sightings
J
30
F
13
M
42
A
57
M
21
J
25
J
54
A
32
S
31
O
59
N
44
D
61
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
345 Sightings
J
18
F
15
M
16
A
17
M
20
J
14
J
78
A
54
S
26
O
20
N
17
D
50
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
220 Sightings
J
10
F
16
M
19
A
23
M
17
J
7
J
26
A
26
S
12
O
34
N
11
D
19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
95 Sightings
J
5
F
4
M
6
A
13
M
12
J
4
J
6
A
13
S
8
O
1
N
2
D
21
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
60 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
12
M
2
J
2
J
8
A
8
S
5
O
6
N
5
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
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
52 Sightings
J
5
F
0
M
8
A
7
M
3
J
0
J
5
A
12
S
3
O
3
N
5
D
1
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
762 Sightings
J
61
F
38
M
54
A
62
M
41
J
35
J
89
A
69
S
67
O
86
N
78
D
82
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark
482 Sightings
J
29
F
31
M
45
A
47
M
32
J
38
J
50
A
30
S
32
O
55
N
44
D
49
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
423 Sightings
J
19
F
14
M
29
A
40
M
39
J
30
J
52
A
40
S
21
O
63
N
22
D
54
The best Months to dive in North Malé Atoll
Diving in North Male Atoll is possible year round due to the fantastic weather and consistent air and water temperatures. From November to May, the weather is dry and calm and the visibility is excellent.
The monsoon season is from May to November. You will see an increase in short, sharp rain showers along with increased wind. Though the wind can make the sea choppy and disrupt boat trips, it also draws in plankton which attracts big filter feeders like mantas and whale sharks.
