Explore Raa Atoll

Raa Atoll, nestled in the Northern Atolls of the Maldives, offers a serene diving experience with its quieter resorts and stunning underwater landscapes. The atoll is renowned for its pristine thilas, which are submerged islands that provide vibrant coral gardens and thrilling swim-throughs. Divers can explore underwater pinnacles adorned with both soft and hard corals, while caverns and overhangs add an element of adventure to each dive. Among the most popular sites are the Labyrinth, with its intricate tunnels and canyons teeming with batfish and angelfish, and the Wall, where divers can encounter Napoleon fish, eagle rays, and turtles at shallower depths, while spotting giant tuna and longfin bannerfish as they venture deeper.

One of the main attractions of Raa Atoll is the opportunity to dive with majestic manta rays, particularly during the months when these graceful creatures visit the atoll. Witnessing these gentle giants gliding through the waters is a bucket-list experience for many divers. The atoll offers a mix of dive styles, including shore dives, boat dives, and liveaboard options, catering to different preferences and skill levels. With its rich marine life, unique dive environments, and seasonal highlights, Raa Atoll stands out as a must-visit destination for divers seeking tranquility and natural beauty in the Maldives.

Dive Activity

Diving in Raa Atoll

Raa Atoll diving is perfect for dive courses. There are many shallow sites, ideal for introductory and open water courses. There are also deeper and more complex dive sites for experienced divers and advanced courses.

Many liveaboards operate in this area. There is a variety of prices and lengths of stay so there is something to suit everyone. Many liveaboards require a minimum number of dives or certification level so it is a good idea to check before booking. Many liveaboards offer night diving - the perfect opportunity to see the “sea of stars”. The bioluminescent plankton leads to unforgettable light shows in the dark water.

The capital Ungoofaaru is the most populous island with the highest density of dive resorts. There are not as many as other, more populous areas of the Maldives but there are still plenty to choose from. When looking for a dive centre, it is important to check its proximity to your resort. The Raa Atoll is over 40 miles long, and not all islands have a dedicated dive centre. It could be an unpleasant surprise to realise that the dive centre you were planning on diving in is a 2 hour boat ride away!

Top Wildlife Sightings in Raa Atoll

Most reefs in Raa Atoll are on thilas (completely submerged pinnacles that boats can sail over) or giris (pinnacles which are above the surface or so close to the surface that boats cannot sail over them). They play host to an abundance of coral life - whips, gorgonian corals, giant fans, brains and basket coral all nestle beside one another.

The coral is healthy, abundant and home to thousands of types of fish. Reef fish float in clouds over the corals - angelfish, surgeonfish, squirrelfish, parrot fish and countless others. There are also bigger fish like napoleon wrasse, trevally and tuna which cut imposing figures against the blue. The majority of the dive sites also have turtles and sharks - a treat to see anywhere in the world.

The macro life should be enough to keep all photographers happy! On the sand and rocks within the reef, all manner of creatures can be found. Brightly coloured nudibranchs, glass shrimp and crustaceans like orangutan crabs are all common sights. If you’re lucky you may also spot a famous peacock mantis shrimp - whose eyes can see over a thousand more colours than we can. Its punch also carries the same force as a 22. Caliber bullet - so be careful of that camera lens!

For many, the ultimate sighting is that of a manta ray. These huge and peaceful creatures grace certain cleaning stations around the atoll during the monsoon months. They often come en mass as well which makes for a truly incredible sight.

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
2k Sightings
J
148
F
174
M
141
A
170
M
93
J
73
J
126
A
247
S
154
O
309
N
216
D
120

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
971 Sightings
J
54
F
97
M
109
A
106
M
47
J
35
J
79
A
80
S
65
O
142
N
87
D
70
iStock-crisod

Reef Manta Ray
808 Sightings
J
62
F
62
M
65
A
52
M
27
J
28
J
68
A
89
S
90
O
166
N
53
D
46

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
659 Sightings
J
42
F
60
M
38
A
67
M
34
J
35
J
55
A
82
S
34
O
68
N
85
D
59
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
538 Sightings
J
59
F
27
M
10
A
42
M
25
J
37
J
54
A
76
S
41
O
88
N
47
D
32
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
388 Sightings
J
29
F
24
M
54
A
32
M
15
J
21
J
44
A
55
S
18
O
44
N
28
D
24
iStock/Divepic

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
278 Sightings
J
18
F
36
M
40
A
18
M
5
J
13
J
25
A
36
S
26
O
31
N
15
D
15

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
273 Sightings
J
20
F
24
M
32
A
33
M
9
J
6
J
8
A
17
S
28
O
48
N
34
D
14

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

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
170 Sightings
J
17
F
4
M
1
A
13
M
14
J
8
J
9
A
21
S
22
O
13
N
19
D
29
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
157 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
13
A
13
M
10
J
9
J
16
A
13
S
8
O
35
N
21
D
14
Show More

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
1.6k Sightings
J
109
F
161
M
93
A
152
M
98
J
74
J
118
A
184
S
117
O
248
N
177
D
108
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer

Grey Reef Shark
1.5k Sightings
J
124
F
111
M
132
A
99
M
71
J
57
J
109
A
147
S
134
O
249
N
181
D
131

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
1.5k Sightings
J
119
F
149
M
91
A
131
M
104
J
67
J
97
A
177
S
96
O
219
N
151
D
128

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
1.4k Sightings
J
99
F
132
M
64
A
126
M
96
J
67
J
115
A
160
S
98
O
211
N
127
D
118

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
1.3k Sightings
J
86
F
132
M
37
A
118
M
78
J
59
J
80
A
149
S
101
O
198
N
121
D
106

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
1.3k Sightings
J
77
F
131
M
54
A
113
M
77
J
54
J
101
A
132
S
104
O
198
N
120
D
95

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
1.2k Sightings
J
90
F
118
M
54
A
114
M
82
J
44
J
91
A
138
S
92
O
161
N
124
D
104

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
1.2k Sightings
J
83
F
119
M
57
A
105
M
94
J
55
J
64
A
124
S
83
O
157
N
154
D
105

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
1.1k Sightings
J
70
F
128
M
47
A
108
M
78
J
48
J
85
A
124
S
89
O
187
N
105
D
77

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
1.1k Sightings
J
86
F
87
M
44
A
93
M
54
J
52
J
68
A
124
S
62
O
201
N
124
D
61

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
937 Sightings
J
78
F
93
M
34
A
85
M
78
J
38
J
71
A
89
S
69
O
121
N
81
D
100

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
831 Sightings
J
49
F
104
M
33
A
83
M
72
J
26
J
47
A
100
S
57
O
109
N
83
D
68

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
764 Sightings
J
54
F
78
M
77
A
70
M
50
J
35
J
20
A
73
S
37
O
106
N
106
D
58

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
718 Sightings
J
29
F
75
M
16
A
71
M
69
J
27
J
62
A
85
S
57
O
102
N
60
D
65

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
675 Sightings
J
63
F
68
M
20
A
30
M
28
J
39
J
56
A
68
S
72
O
103
N
70
D
58

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
593 Sightings
J
37
F
85
M
10
A
53
M
36
J
43
J
39
A
92
S
48
O
78
N
54
D
18

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
525 Sightings
J
21
F
73
M
15
A
57
M
64
J
26
J
28
A
63
S
47
O
51
N
68
D
12
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
487 Sightings
J
44
F
40
M
55
A
71
M
28
J
16
J
20
A
46
S
24
O
58
N
44
D
41

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
393 Sightings
J
18
F
20
M
14
A
37
M
27
J
13
J
27
A
71
S
23
O
40
N
63
D
40

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
363 Sightings
J
6
F
23
M
12
A
27
M
25
J
7
J
23
A
53
S
30
O
80
N
49
D
28

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
348 Sightings
J
26
F
17
M
12
A
43
M
37
J
21
J
18
A
35
S
15
O
48
N
50
D
26

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
328 Sightings
J
28
F
51
M
9
A
39
M
38
J
3
J
13
A
14
S
43
O
39
N
22
D
29

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
320 Sightings
J
11
F
26
M
20
A
23
M
28
J
26
J
9
A
25
S
20
O
51
N
39
D
42

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

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
289 Sightings
J
17
F
36
M
18
A
12
M
17
J
11
J
22
A
31
S
41
O
14
N
47
D
23

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
254 Sightings
J
15
F
31
M
26
A
20
M
23
J
13
J
6
A
29
S
29
O
23
N
17
D
22
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
224 Sightings
J
16
F
23
M
20
A
24
M
14
J
20
J
18
A
17
S
15
O
30
N
19
D
8

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
208 Sightings
J
7
F
29
M
11
A
5
M
10
J
10
J
4
A
7
S
29
O
40
N
41
D
15

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
174 Sightings
J
5
F
20
M
20
A
11
M
6
J
4
J
6
A
29
S
21
O
15
N
26
D
11

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

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
173 Sightings
J
11
F
13
M
3
A
23
M
13
J
9
J
22
A
10
S
12
O
19
N
27
D
11

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
172 Sightings
J
5
F
22
M
8
A
10
M
13
J
6
J
3
A
13
S
28
O
36
N
21
D
7

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
166 Sightings
J
10
F
39
M
2
A
2
M
6
J
7
J
3
A
19
S
21
O
22
N
22
D
13

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

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
163 Sightings
J
21
F
13
M
7
A
8
M
21
J
13
J
12
A
5
S
12
O
11
N
24
D
16

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

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
119 Sightings
J
4
F
24
M
8
A
8
M
3
J
7
J
3
A
10
S
11
O
29
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: 3

k

Cornetfish
116 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
4
A
5
M
11
J
8
J
8
A
21
S
4
O
16
N
19
D
15
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
101 Sightings
J
3
F
21
M
0
A
6
M
0
J
2
J
9
A
9
S
24
O
12
N
14
D
1

The best Months to dive in Raa Atoll

Raa Atoll is located in the north and, as a result, is drier than many atolls in the south. It does still have a monsoon climate, with a dry season from December to May and a rainy season from June to November.

The dry season offers stunning conditions for Raa Atoll diving. There is very little wind, which means the oceans are glassy flat, and the visibility is fantastic at 30 meters/98 feet. This is the busiest (and most expensive) time of the year.

During the rainy season, there are a few more days of rain per month. However, there is, on average, 7 hours of sunshine every day—more than enough to soak up the rays! There are definitely some benefits to the rainy season as well. The windier weather brings in large plankton blooms, which attract the holy grail of many divers—manta rays. These huge animals gather around cleaning stations, making for an impressive show. The plankton blooms reduce the visibility, but the manta rays more than make up for it.

In June, the ocean is considered too choppy for boats to safely take out divers, which is something to bear in mind. For the rest of the monsoon season, you will enjoy reduced rates at many resorts due to there being fewer tourists.

The temperatures year-round remain perfect for warm water diving—the water temperatures are normally between a balmy 28°C/82°F and 30°C/86°F. The air temperatures vary between 26°C/79°F and 32°C/90°F, but bear in mind that the wind is stronger during the monsoon, which may make the weather feel cooler.

Dive Centers

DivePoint Meedhupparu

Raa Atoll, Meedhupparu, MDV

Dive Mission You and Me

Aazaadhuge, 200015 Male, MDV

Dive Sites

DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Fenfushi Giri (★4.5)

If you want to see anemones you have to come to this place,, there is a field with hundreds of anemones where we also can always find turtles. The Giri has approx. a diameter of 120m and is easy to dive around. Some nice small overhangs
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Labyrinth (★4.7)

You should have some experience for this TOP dive site! The reef top starts at 15m! and is a block about 80x70m around it are large blocks full of fish and soft corals. There is a nice little canyon and small breakthroughs! NITROX and DEEP Specialty desirable !!
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Beriyan Dhekunu Thila (★4.4)

Regardless of whether Thila or the nearby main reef BDT is the best Marco place, which does not mean that there are no big fish;) However, there are occasional “funny currents“ which are no problem with a guide who knows his way around! After the small Thila, simply hold the current right / left shoulder and drift
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Vadhoo Thila (★4.5)

This dive site is a must for all experienced divers. The small main block, only about 80m round, is surrounded by smaller reefs that are almost canyon-like and have holes and arcs to dive through. Due to the location, this dive is great for deep / nitrox.
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Kottefaru Thila (★4.5)

Great thila with many small overhangs that often serve as shelter for rays, nurse sharks and turtles. Soft corals and extremely many anemones !! Due to its location in a canal, a current must always be expected. We, therefore, recommend having experience with currents or a * special * dive.
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Maafaru Caves (★4.5)

Wonderful drift dive in a frenzy of colors. This reef is like an open subway tunnel cut on the side. Soft corals in many different colors hang everywhere in the tunnel. In the middle of the canal, there are coral blocks with a good chance of gray reef shark (when there’s current). The perfect place for a current specialty!
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Kinolhas (★4.3)

A simple, mostly calm dive site.Very suitable for the first boat dive since the beginning lighter sandy bottom.Big blocs with schooling fish of different species are here encountered. The reef falls on very slowly from 2m down to about 11m and then aplateau run out at a depth of 20-24m.
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Nagili Thila (★4.4)

Great drift dive over several large blocks and small thilas. Due to distances of 80m and currents more demanding and for experienced divers or divers willing to learn. Nice overhangs and arches in the deeper area, Deep / Nitrox has the best combination. Depending on the current, you can go diving on the house reef
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Beriyan Kuda Thila (★4.6)

Because of its current, BKT is reserved for experienced divers or is dived in times of low current. Not far from BBT, the rock rises to a depth of 16m. The south side has a nice plateau at 25m and then drops off steeply to 40m. Cleaning station for gray reef sharks!
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Beriyan Bodu Thila (★4.5)

BBT is a dive site that you can dive every day and each time you“ii find different conditions and creatures. The reef top starts at 5m, at 8 / 9m it drops down to 30m. There are some small overhangs in the western part of the Thila which are partly overgrown with soft corals.
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Sola Corner (★4.7)

From November / December to the beginning of May one of the best manta spots in the Maldives! Also suitable for beginners! But not only mantas are sighted here. Lots of pelagic delicacies can be discovered with a bit of luck. Can have a stronger current, but easy to dive.
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Neyo Kanmathi (★4.4)

The reef top has something of a lunar landscape, despite or precisely because of this it is often a very special dive. The northern side often serves as a starting point when the current is draining from a steep wall over a sandy plateau to a normal slope. Manta rays between the end of September and November
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Koroshigiri Canyon (★4.4)

This great dive site is characterized by a wonderful underwater landscape in the south. The top reef starts at about 3m and drops to about 10m.Then the wall is criss-crossed with beautiful overhangs that can be dived to a depth of 30m. Upstream a small Thila that comes from 33 to 18m, Nitrox and deep specialty!
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Maamunagaa Giri (★4.3)

Maamunagaa Giri is like an isosceles triangle and can only be approached in good weather. The south side lies on the deep channel between Baa and Raa Atoll. Here, and on the northwest side, you can often see gray reef sharks and a beautiful school of jackfish. Macro life lies in the small overhangs and holes.
DivePoint Meedhupparu, 960 Meedhupparu

Maafaru Thila (★4.4)

Great challenging reef that consists of 2 thilas. The eastern Thila is not that big and is circled in 25 to 30 minutes then you fly about. 120m to the 2nd thila. Here it goes down again to look for a frogfish. Between November and April mantas and mobulas possible.