Explore South Male Atoll

Whilst crossing the Vaadhoo Kandu, the division between North and South Male Atolls, you will observe how different they feel. The quieter version of its northern brother, scuba diving in South Male Atoll gives a feeling of remoteness, due to the habitation of only 3 islands. 

Both dive centres and dive resorts can still be found in this region, with more under development. All of these establishments offer dive courses of all levels. Many liveaboards experience South Male Atoll diving on their way out of the nearby capital Male. 

Highlights of scuba diving in South Male Atoll include the thrilling drift dives through the atoll’s many kandus (or channels) as well as large pelagic sightings.

Upcoming Events

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Ocean Warriors Institute

Enriched Air Nitrox Level 2 (40%)

14 Nov 2025 + 27 more

As a Nitrox diver, you can increase your bottom times and safety margins, plus shorten your surface intervals - so you can spend more time diving and less time waiting! In this program, you will learn new skills and increase your diving knowledge whilst learning how to safely plan and dive with enriched air mixtures of up to 40% oxygen. Upon completion, you will earn an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 32% or 40% certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Ocean Warriors Institute

Deep Diving

14 Nov 2025

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you all you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mixture of academic sessions and open water dives. You will learn to plan and safely complete your deep diving adventures and use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most from your deep dives. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education.

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Maldives

教练评估 - IE

18 Nov 2025

从今天开始 - 您需要成为潜水长或同等资格人员才能参加 SSI 的三步教官培训方法。培训过程从参加助理教练/教练培训课程开始，并结合数字学习。成功完成教练培训课程（ITC）后，您将参加教练评估（IE），以获得SSI开放水域教练资格。在为期 10 天的培训课程中，您可以独立教授 SSI 的各种主要项目，如水肺潜水员、开放水域潜水员、高氧空气潜水员、潜水员压力与救援以及潜水向导。

对于那些希望花更多时间学习并在培训课程之间获得宝贵教学经验的学员，也可以按照自己的节奏和灵活的时间安排，将助理教练、教练培训课程（ITC）和教练评估（IE）这三个部分作为一个单独的步骤来学习。

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Dive Point Guraidhoo

Science Of Diving

20 Nov 2025

Join the SSI Science of Diving specialty and you will develop a complete understanding of the underwater world and its effects on the human body. This specialty is required training for most SSI Professional programs, as well as some Extended Range programs, and is an essential way to expand your dive knowledge. Available online, you can earn your SSI Science of Diving specialty certification from home and get ready to begin your dive professional career. Upon completion, you will be halfway to earning the coveted SSI Divemaster rating and earn the SSI Science of Diving specialty certification.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Dive Point Guraidhoo

Science Of Diving

20 Nov 2025

Join the SSI Science of Diving specialty and you will develop a complete understanding of the underwater world and its effects on the human body. This specialty is required training for most SSI Professional programs, as well as some Extended Range programs, and is an essential way to expand your dive knowledge. Available online, you can earn your SSI Science of Diving specialty certification from home and get ready to begin your dive professional career. Upon completion, you will be halfway to earning the coveted SSI Divemaster rating and earn the SSI Science of Diving specialty certification.

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Maldives

Instructor Evaluation - IE

21 Nov 2025

Start today - You need to be a Divemaster or equivalent to join SSI´s 3-Step Instructor Training Approach. The training process starts with joining the Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course combination accompanied with Digital Learning. After successful completion of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) you will enroll in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an SSI Open Water Instructor. This 10 day training program entitles you to teach various key SSI programs independently like Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide.

For those who want to take more time to learn and to gain valuable teaching experience between the training programs the 3 parts can also be taken as single steps - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) and Instructor Evaluation (IE) one after the other at own pace and with a flexible schedule.

Instructor Evaluation

SSI Service Center Maldives

Instructor Evaluation - IE

01 Jan 2026

Beginne noch heute - Du musst Divemaster oder gleichwertig sein, um an dem 3-stufigen Instructor Training von SSI teilzunehmen. Die Ausbildung beginnt mit der Teilnahme an der Kombination Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course, begleitet von Digital Learning. Nach erfolgreichem Abschluss des Instructor Training Course (ITC) nimmst du an einer Instructor Evaluation (IE) teil, um dich als SSI Open Water Instructor zu qualifizieren. Dieses 10-tägige Trainingsprogramm berechtigt dich dazu, verschiedene SSI Schlüsselprogramme wie Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue und Dive Guide selbstständig zu unterrichten.

Wer sich zwischen den Trainings mehr Zeit zum Lernen und Sammeln wertvoller Unterrichtserfahrung nehmen möchte, kann die 3 Teile auch in Einzelschritten absolvieren - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) und Instructor Evaluation (IE) nacheinander im eigenen Tempo und mit flexiblem Zeitplan.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Fish Tank

This dive site has many names, Fish Tank, Fish Factory, Stingray City and they all fit! There is actually a fish factory on the island and this is the reason why there are so many rays and moray eels.

2,458
Logs
1,971
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Lankan Beyru

Lankan is a cleaning station for manta rays and scuba divers visiting often get to see an amazing manta show, one of the highlights of any trip to the Maldives.

2,618
Logs
1,897
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Lankan Faru

Nice drift dive for all levels of divers. After Manta season we dive here to watch other amazing life. The reef slopes from 5 to 30m down, deeper on the bottom, sharks and stingrays are found in the sandy areas. In the big rocks, we see groupers and glass fish.

598
Logs
488
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Lankan Caves

Cool drift dive that also always brings current with it. Start either near the Manta Point or, with less current, directly at the channel entrance. The caves are rather overhangs that range from 12 to 30m. For the more experienced there is a deep nose in the middle of the current.

421
Logs
346
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Underwater Habitat by Sub Oceanic at Hilton Maldives

Underwater Habitat created by Sub Oceanic at Hilton Maldives is a unique project under the lead of our Resident Marine Biologist Mohamed Abaan better know as “Bunny“ .

1,900
Logs
222
Divers
12.0 m
⌀ Depth
15.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kuda Giri Wreck

The Kuda Giri is a very pretty, very well-established giri (pinnacle) with lots of small caves and overhangs, this giri is also covered with beautiful hard corals on the east side.

3,377
Logs
2,546
Divers
26.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kandooma Thila

This “Thila” is in the middle of the kandooma kandu. From 2000 to 2009 this dive site was ranked world 10th place of shark diving. The top of the reef is full of hard corals. The sides of the “Thila” are covered with soft corals. The currents are strong here and highly recommend for Advanced and Nitrox divers.

7,377
Logs
4,516
Divers
28.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Lankan Manta Point

To reach in 90 Minutes with the Doni in direction Male. The cleaning stations are located at the out reef and can have a moderate to strong current. Between May to November Mantas can be spotted at the cleaning stations

1,276
Logs
861
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Guraidhoo Corner

One of the interesting attractions during the east monsoon, this site offers a wide variety of big fish life. The entire channel is a marine protected area. Depending on the strength of the current, be well prepared for several downstream currents and some washing machines when drifting to the inside channel.

1,926
Logs
1,400
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Kandooma Caves

Nice channel dive with many overhangs in around 20 meters depth. One of the overhangs at 20 meters has an opening at the ceiling with a window at 10 meters. Torch highly recommended. Many turtles seen here!

1,034
Logs
834
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Gulhi Dhigu Thila

Dhigu Thila lies in the pass between the local island of Gulhi & the resort of Anantara. A quite long thila, it boasts majestic sea fans, beautiful soft & hard corals, and a dense & thriving fish life. Marble sting rays, eagle rays, grey reef sharks, occasional manta rays, and good macro is what you can expect here.

151
Logs
111
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★★ Guhli Corner

Although generally less dived than its northern counterpart (Miyaru Faru), Gulhi corner is a good option when oceanic current runs from the south east. A nice place to finish the dive after crossing the channel (coming from Myraru Faru corner). Some small overhangs with nice hard & soft corals. plenty of pelagics.

105
Logs
66
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Gulhi Outside

In the local language (Dhivehi), Miyaru means “shark“ and Faru means “reef“. Shark’s reef it is then, so it’s not too hard to guess what you can expect here!! White tip sharks galore, grey reef sharks aplenty, a few nurse sharks, less common leopard sharks too and even rare tiger sharks & whale sharks sightings!

191
Logs
147
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Lhosfushi Kuda Kandu

Kuda Kandu means small channel and is located north of Guraidhoo channel, it has a very shallow sandy bottom at 12 meters deep and 10 meters wide. It offers colonies of stony and soft corals which give good hide away spots to blue stripe yellow snappers.

708
Logs
532
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Medhu Faru

Beautiful outside reef dive. Many big and small coral blocks between 5-15 meters. A gentle drop off going down to 30 meters. Best to be dived in an East to West current.

714
Logs
542
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in South Male Atoll

South Male Atoll diving is famous for the thrilling drift dives through the kandus, though there is diving available for all levels including channels, wrecks, reefs and caves. Vaadhoo Caves on the northern side of the atoll are fascinating to explore as you shelter from the current. Though the wicked currents in the kandus are famous, more sedate drift dives are also available for the non-thrillseekers! Liveaboards are very popular in this region and they are a great way of experiencing all the best sites.

The best Months to Dive in South Male Atoll

Diving in South Male Atoll is possible year round due to the consistently warm weather. From November to April is the best time for diving - the omnipresent sunshine and low winds create excellent visibility. 

From May to October is the monsoon season, though you would be unlucky to experience more than a few hours of heavy rain in one sitting. The winds get stronger which can make the sea choppy and cause dive boat disruption. On the plus side, the winds blow in plankton blooms which attract big pelagics. 

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

Ocean Warriors Institute

Henveiru Meenaaz, 20006 Male’, MDV

Lifeguard & Rescue Academy Maldives

H. Crest,, 20015 Male’, MDV

Seafari Maldives

Seafari Maldives Pvt Ltd, 1200 Male, MDV

SSI Service Center Maldives

H. Crest, 200015 Male, MDV

MALDIVES BLUEFORCE 3

C/Navarra 6, 2° dpto 6, 48001 Bilbao, VI - ESP

MALDIVES BLUEFORCE ONE

C/Navarra 6, 2, dpto 6, 48001 Bilbao, VI - ESP

Salted Ventures

Ma. Beach House, Vaidheri Higun Male, MDV

Diverland Embudu

Diverland, 00000 Embudu Village, MDV

Sub Oceanic @ Hilton Maldives Amingiri

Hilton Maldives Amingiri, 20188 North Male Atoll, MDV

Eco Dive Club Maafushi

Maafushi, 08090 Maafushi, MDV

Ocean Explorer Marine Sports

P.O Box 2168, North Male Male, MDV

Sun Diving Olhuveli

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives, 2005 South Male Atoll, MDV

Albatros Top Boat Maldives

m/y Duke of York -G.Shafag-Ground Floor-Radhebai Magu, 20022 Male, MDV

Dive Point Guraidhoo

Silincoa, K. Guraidhoo, Guraidhoo, MDV

Coast Guard Diving Centre

Coast Guard Building, 200095 Male’, MDV

MALDIVES AGGRESSOR II

Male, MDV

Master Liveaboards Maldives

FW Residence 07-03,Kurikeela Magu, 23000 Hulhumale, MRT

My Dive

G. Neelofaruhigun, 20138 Male, AS - MDV

Ocean Junkies

Lot 11647, Dhigga Magu, 23000 Hulhumale, MDV

DivePoint Rannalhi

Adaaran Club Rannalhi, 20026 South Male Atoll, MDV