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.
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!
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 the rainy season from June to November.
The dry season offer stunning conditions for Raa Atoll diving. There is very little wind which means the oceans are glassy flat and the visibility is fantastic at 30m+. 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 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 less tourists.
The temperatures year round remain perfect for warm water diving - the water temperatures are normally between a balmy 28 and 30oC. The air temperatures vary between 26 and 32oC, but bear in mind that the wind is stronger during the monsoon which may make the weather feel cooler.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
