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.

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    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.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in South Male Atoll

    The strong currents that flow around South Male Atoll bring a wealth of diversity to the area. The reefs are teeming with brightly coloured life which includes reef fish, nudibranch, eels, octopus, soft corals and turtles. In the blue, you might see schools of batfish, fusiliers, trevally, unicornfish or barracuda, as well as huge hunting tuna. 

    Upon the reef, turtles munch on the corals whilst eagle rays fly in formation out in the blue. Grey sharks and reef sharks are common at many sites. During the monsoon, it is possible to see whale sharks and huge numbers of manta rays who come to eat the plethora of food. 

    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

    6.2k Sightings
    J
    581
    F
    418
    M
    581
    A
    730
    M
    419
    J
    182
    J
    336
    A
    494
    S
    467
    O
    641
    N
    709
    D
    643
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    3.9k Sightings
    J
    362
    F
    301
    M
    394
    A
    497
    M
    217
    J
    136
    J
    241
    A
    319
    S
    219
    O
    385
    N
    464
    D
    375

    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

    3.4k Sightings
    J
    267
    F
    212
    M
    341
    A
    538
    M
    225
    J
    98
    J
    171
    A
    277
    S
    250
    O
    304
    N
    401
    D
    324
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    234
    F
    191
    M
    239
    A
    288
    M
    129
    J
    98
    J
    183
    A
    133
    S
    110
    O
    186
    N
    224
    D
    201
    Reef Manta Ray

    Reef Manta Ray

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    33
    F
    7
    M
    37
    A
    65
    M
    96
    J
    75
    J
    126
    A
    273
    S
    322
    O
    455
    N
    516
    D
    197
    Tiger Shark

    Tiger Shark

    1.5k Sightings
    J
    146
    F
    125
    M
    235
    A
    137
    M
    92
    J
    49
    J
    105
    A
    178
    S
    101
    O
    40
    N
    183
    D
    116

    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

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    144
    F
    48
    M
    88
    A
    141
    M
    93
    J
    51
    J
    62
    A
    108
    S
    72
    O
    131
    N
    113
    D
    59
    Bull Shark

    Bull Shark

    888 Sightings
    J
    74
    F
    80
    M
    198
    A
    130
    M
    99
    J
    58
    J
    59
    A
    60
    S
    51
    O
    7
    N
    33
    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

    694 Sightings
    J
    115
    F
    73
    M
    86
    A
    97
    M
    22
    J
    3
    J
    17
    A
    17
    S
    34
    O
    66
    N
    120
    D
    44
    Great Hammerhead Shark

    Great Hammerhead Shark

    541 Sightings
    J
    38
    F
    31
    M
    79
    A
    60
    M
    41
    J
    15
    J
    60
    A
    63
    S
    43
    O
    28
    N
    37
    D
    46
    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    358 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    2
    M
    6
    A
    0
    M
    20
    J
    14
    J
    34
    A
    44
    S
    49
    O
    81
    N
    81
    D
    22

    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

    311 Sightings
    J
    24
    F
    30
    M
    26
    A
    50
    M
    24
    J
    15
    J
    10
    A
    29
    S
    26
    O
    15
    N
    36
    D
    26
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    5.7k Sightings
    J
    526
    F
    424
    M
    528
    A
    670
    M
    345
    J
    202
    J
    346
    A
    498
    S
    393
    O
    558
    N
    665
    D
    522

    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

    4.6k Sightings
    J
    404
    F
    328
    M
    417
    A
    538
    M
    371
    J
    189
    J
    292
    A
    367
    S
    346
    O
    392
    N
    496
    D
    439

    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

    4.1k Sightings
    J
    378
    F
    276
    M
    399
    A
    491
    M
    311
    J
    189
    J
    232
    A
    337
    S
    333
    O
    373
    N
    430
    D
    376
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    3.8k Sightings
    J
    267
    F
    264
    M
    309
    A
    449
    M
    201
    J
    137
    J
    244
    A
    288
    S
    310
    O
    464
    N
    455
    D
    373

    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

    3.6k Sightings
    J
    315
    F
    290
    M
    368
    A
    522
    M
    232
    J
    100
    J
    157
    A
    300
    S
    247
    O
    279
    N
    452
    D
    363

    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

    3.5k Sightings
    J
    338
    F
    222
    M
    353
    A
    417
    M
    240
    J
    166
    J
    224
    A
    288
    S
    251
    O
    311
    N
    301
    D
    347

    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

    3.4k Sightings
    J
    329
    F
    220
    M
    321
    A
    390
    M
    258
    J
    168
    J
    223
    A
    283
    S
    268
    O
    310
    N
    314
    D
    315

    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

    3.2k Sightings
    J
    281
    F
    166
    M
    299
    A
    345
    M
    259
    J
    148
    J
    203
    A
    290
    S
    263
    O
    349
    N
    310
    D
    274

    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

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    339
    F
    192
    M
    287
    A
    324
    M
    247
    J
    110
    J
    181
    A
    260
    S
    245
    O
    287
    N
    307
    D
    330

    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

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    296
    F
    158
    M
    283
    A
    354
    M
    240
    J
    172
    J
    163
    A
    280
    S
    224
    O
    258
    N
    338
    D
    290

    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

    3k Sightings
    J
    326
    F
    163
    M
    268
    A
    355
    M
    228
    J
    135
    J
    177
    A
    250
    S
    223
    O
    245
    N
    320
    D
    282

    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

    2.6k Sightings
    J
    236
    F
    104
    M
    237
    A
    261
    M
    227
    J
    123
    J
    179
    A
    207
    S
    236
    O
    274
    N
    292
    D
    228
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    176
    F
    130
    M
    159
    A
    235
    M
    117
    J
    54
    J
    67
    A
    125
    S
    101
    O
    180
    N
    202
    D
    199

    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

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    144
    F
    98
    M
    118
    A
    191
    M
    106
    J
    77
    J
    92
    A
    147
    S
    123
    O
    149
    N
    174
    D
    159

    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

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    138
    F
    58
    M
    122
    A
    183
    M
    79
    J
    48
    J
    75
    A
    103
    S
    106
    O
    101
    N
    127
    D
    169

    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

    1.2k Sightings
    J
    121
    F
    74
    M
    125
    A
    135
    M
    82
    J
    38
    J
    75
    A
    118
    S
    117
    O
    111
    N
    110
    D
    93
    Lemon Shark

    Lemon Shark

    1.2k Sightings
    J
    133
    F
    103
    M
    172
    A
    207
    M
    124
    J
    48
    J
    78
    A
    91
    S
    50
    O
    44
    N
    67
    D
    62

    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

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    135
    F
    59
    M
    93
    A
    92
    M
    101
    J
    68
    J
    52
    A
    100
    S
    106
    O
    146
    N
    95
    D
    70

    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

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    90
    F
    67
    M
    90
    A
    133
    M
    97
    J
    63
    J
    56
    A
    81
    S
    119
    O
    104
    N
    135
    D
    72

    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

    1k Sightings
    J
    109
    F
    60
    M
    136
    A
    122
    M
    86
    J
    49
    J
    41
    A
    55
    S
    45
    O
    88
    N
    94
    D
    119

    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

    1k Sightings
    J
    89
    F
    71
    M
    84
    A
    130
    M
    96
    J
    57
    J
    40
    A
    69
    S
    88
    O
    97
    N
    68
    D
    114

    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

    983 Sightings
    J
    132
    F
    103
    M
    74
    A
    104
    M
    53
    J
    35
    J
    44
    A
    109
    S
    56
    O
    57
    N
    111
    D
    105

    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

    842 Sightings
    J
    118
    F
    70
    M
    21
    A
    132
    M
    68
    J
    30
    J
    78
    A
    67
    S
    50
    O
    85
    N
    55
    D
    68

    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

    783 Sightings
    J
    56
    F
    32
    M
    67
    A
    78
    M
    98
    J
    58
    J
    51
    A
    51
    S
    76
    O
    113
    N
    42
    D
    61

    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

    603 Sightings
    J
    89
    F
    52
    M
    39
    A
    50
    M
    19
    J
    22
    J
    33
    A
    57
    S
    38
    O
    41
    N
    93
    D
    70

    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

    536 Sightings
    J
    80
    F
    14
    M
    55
    A
    42
    M
    34
    J
    11
    J
    22
    A
    42
    S
    52
    O
    85
    N
    47
    D
    52
    Silvertip Shark

    Silvertip Shark

    521 Sightings
    J
    67
    F
    33
    M
    42
    A
    46
    M
    41
    J
    14
    J
    37
    A
    28
    S
    53
    O
    34
    N
    65
    D
    61

    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

    411 Sightings
    J
    39
    F
    9
    M
    40
    A
    53
    M
    31
    J
    11
    J
    18
    A
    30
    S
    27
    O
    56
    N
    45
    D
    52

    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

    344 Sightings
    J
    56
    F
    23
    M
    40
    A
    39
    M
    33
    J
    11
    J
    18
    A
    24
    S
    12
    O
    24
    N
    11
    D
    53

    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. 

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