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

Basic Diver

Basic Diver

Have you always wondered what it feels like to breathe underwater? The SSI Basic Diver program is the perfect introduction to scuba diving for complete beginners. No previous diving experience is required – just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure!During this 4–5 hour experience, your dedicated SSI Instructor will be with you every step of the way. You'll learn the fundamentals of scuba diving in a safe, relaxed environment before taking your very first dive in the ocean.What you will experienceA friendly introduction to the world of scuba divingLearn how scuba equipment works and how to use it safelyUnderstand the basic rules and safety proceduresPractice essential diving skills in shallow waterEnjoy your first open water dive under the direct supervision of your SSI InstructorDiscover the incredible marine life while building confidence underwaterPerfect for Absolute BeginnersThis program is specifically designed for people who have never participated in a diving course before. There is no certification required and no prior experience needed. Your instructor will guide you through every step, answer all your questions, and ensure you feel comfortable and safe throughout the experience.DurationApproximately 4–5 hoursMaximum Depth Up to 12 metres, always under the direct supervision of an SSI Professional.Continue Your Diving JourneyIf you fall in love with diving—and many people do—your Basic Diver experience can be credited towards the SSI Scuba Diver or SSI Open Water Diver program within 6 months, making it the perfect first step into becoming a certified scuba diver.

Ocean Junkies, Lot 11647, Dhigga Magu, 23000, Hulhumale, MDV
August 12, 2026 +154 More
$110.00
Open Water Diver

Open Water Diver

Take the first step towards a lifetime of underwater adventures with the SSI Open Water Diver program. This internationally recognized certification is the world's most popular scuba diving course and is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to dive safely and confidently.No previous diving experience is required. Whether you've never worn scuba equipment before or have already completed the SSI Basic Diver program, this course will teach you everything you need to become a certified diver.What you will learnThroughout the course, your experienced SSI Instructor will guide you through each stage of your training, ensuring you gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to dive independently with a buddy.The program includes: Digital learning with interactive SSI training materials Classroom and theory sessions Confined water (pool or shallow water) training to master essential scuba skills Open water dives to apply everything you've learned in real diving conditions Comprehensive safety procedures, dive planning, buoyancy control, underwater communication, and equipment use By the end of the course, you'll be comfortable preparing your own equipment, planning dives, and exploring the underwater world safely. Course DurationTypically 3–4 days (approximately 10–15 hours of training, depending on schedule and local conditions). Your CertificationAfter successfully completing the course, you'll earn your SSI Open Water Diver Certification, recognized worldwide.As a certified Open Water Diver, you can: Dive independently with another certified diver Explore dive sites all over the world Dive to a maximum depth of 18 metres (60 feet) (age restrictions apply for junior divers) Continue your education with advanced and specialty diving courses Perfect for BeginnersThe SSI Open Water Diver program is ideal for anyone who wants to learn scuba diving from the ground up. Your instructor will support you throughout the entire course, helping you build confidence while progressing at a comfortable pace. Every skill is introduced step by step in a safe and enjoyable learning environment.Prerequisites Minimum age: 10 years Comfortable in the water No previous diving certification required Start your adventure today and earn a certification that opens the door to incredible diving experiences anywhere in the world. ????????

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August 12, 2026 +154 More
$500.00

Dive Activity

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.

Dive Centers

Dive 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. 

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

7.7k Sightings
J
682
F
520
M
717
A
887
M
606
J
318
J
513
A
608
S
542
O
731
N
827
D
772
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

4.5k Sightings
J
395
F
325
M
432
A
519
M
301
J
238
J
383
A
377
S
246
O
405
N
488
D
415

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

4.1k Sightings
J
295
F
245
M
391
A
645
M
340
J
152
J
273
A
319
S
273
O
334
N
453
D
361
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

2.6k Sightings
J
267
F
209
M
270
A
301
M
170
J
141
J
245
A
181
S
117
O
199
N
240
D
220
Reef Manta Ray

Reef Manta Ray

2.4k Sightings
J
36
F
6
M
36
A
77
M
134
J
118
J
188
A
276
S
324
O
457
N
516
D
200
Tiger Shark

Tiger Shark

1.9k Sightings
J
169
F
154
M
316
A
177
M
111
J
66
J
116
A
246
S
116
O
55
N
265
D
158

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

1.3k Sightings
J
167
F
58
M
95
A
143
M
110
J
87
J
105
A
134
S
90
O
150
N
128
D
70
Bull Shark

Bull Shark

1.2k Sightings
J
90
F
108
M
270
A
190
M
152
J
92
J
83
A
84
S
63
O
16
N
43
D
52

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

862 Sightings
J
129
F
84
M
98
A
122
M
45
J
13
J
24
A
31
S
40
O
83
N
140
D
53
Great Hammerhead Shark

Great Hammerhead Shark

717 Sightings
J
49
F
44
M
103
A
84
M
61
J
30
J
72
A
79
S
53
O
36
N
50
D
56
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

343 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
5
A
0
M
14
J
13
J
35
A
46
S
49
O
78
N
78
D
20

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

332 Sightings
J
24
F
36
M
21
A
46
M
34
J
10
J
23
A
29
S
26
O
17
N
40
D
26
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle

208 Sightings
J
17
F
4
M
13
A
43
M
19
J
2
J
37
A
32
S
5
O
22
N
7
D
7
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

6.7k Sightings
J
602
F
472
M
616
A
773
M
447
J
341
J
521
A
550
S
431
O
613
N
736
D
564

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

5.8k Sightings
J
490
F
411
M
534
A
640
M
513
J
307
J
424
A
471
S
411
O
487
N
572
D
539

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

5.1k Sightings
J
444
F
345
M
502
A
589
M
417
J
289
J
366
A
414
S
386
O
433
N
489
D
458
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

4.7k Sightings
J
332
F
326
M
381
A
584
M
300
J
202
J
376
A
368
S
367
O
527
N
526
D
441

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

4.7k Sightings
J
386
F
371
M
472
A
644
M
344
J
153
J
254
A
383
S
317
O
345
N
591
D
447

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

4.3k Sightings
J
412
F
276
M
439
A
501
M
339
J
243
J
309
A
395
S
299
O
357
N
347
D
411

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

4.2k Sightings
J
391
F
290
M
396
A
480
M
363
J
257
J
311
A
348
S
317
O
361
N
357
D
357

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

4k Sightings
J
428
F
267
M
364
A
441
M
337
J
172
J
280
A
317
S
309
O
347
N
368
D
414

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

4k Sightings
J
338
F
229
M
386
A
421
M
353
J
212
J
275
A
340
S
312
O
394
N
366
D
328

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

3.8k Sightings
J
366
F
216
M
341
A
429
M
303
J
244
J
257
A
324
S
275
O
303
N
384
D
327

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

3.6k Sightings
J
392
F
230
M
309
A
414
M
303
J
199
J
261
A
303
S
269
O
286
N
360
D
321

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

3.2k Sightings
J
288
F
146
M
295
A
290
M
318
J
190
J
242
A
259
S
276
O
305
N
328
D
256
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark

2k Sightings
J
181
F
145
M
171
A
268
M
147
J
74
J
131
A
130
S
104
O
185
N
235
D
218

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

1.8k Sightings
J
167
F
120
M
139
A
219
M
136
J
115
J
119
A
159
S
133
O
162
N
188
D
171

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

1.6k Sightings
J
165
F
67
M
154
A
212
M
97
J
70
J
104
A
135
S
139
O
117
N
163
D
197
Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark

1.5k Sightings
J
159
F
131
M
227
A
250
M
170
J
65
J
96
A
103
S
55
O
53
N
86
D
85

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

1.4k Sightings
J
138
F
110
M
150
A
137
M
108
J
64
J
84
A
130
S
140
O
123
N
119
D
96

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

1.4k Sightings
J
111
F
95
M
114
A
157
M
127
J
82
J
93
A
109
S
139
O
122
N
153
D
91

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

1.3k Sightings
J
164
F
81
M
119
A
104
M
111
J
87
J
70
A
115
S
123
O
159
N
101
D
90

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

1.2k Sightings
J
128
F
79
M
165
A
139
M
113
J
62
J
63
A
69
S
67
O
88
N
107
D
124

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

1.2k Sightings
J
102
F
90
M
103
A
140
M
113
J
81
J
59
A
92
S
102
O
112
N
90
D
111

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

1.1k Sightings
J
137
F
114
M
76
A
112
M
70
J
54
J
72
A
108
S
68
O
62
N
112
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

1.1k Sightings
J
133
F
88
M
63
A
153
M
95
J
44
J
112
A
80
S
50
O
108
N
76
D
81

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

950 Sightings
J
124
F
91
M
63
A
91
M
24
J
28
J
63
A
88
S
51
O
60
N
159
D
108

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

873 Sightings
J
69
F
49
M
80
A
73
M
105
J
63
J
66
A
52
S
89
O
110
N
46
D
71
Silvertip Shark

Silvertip Shark

657 Sightings
J
89
F
32
M
55
A
69
M
57
J
20
J
44
A
37
S
56
O
33
N
91
D
74

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

647 Sightings
J
82
F
13
M
70
A
44
M
54
J
31
J
34
A
56
S
66
O
93
N
51
D
53

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

505 Sightings
J
49
F
54
M
40
A
45
M
40
J
23
J
54
A
52
S
25
O
38
N
52
D
33

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

505 Sightings
J
48
F
18
M
42
A
70
M
29
J
22
J
23
A
34
S
46
O
69
N
61
D
43

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

415 Sightings
J
73
F
37
M
42
A
43
M
35
J
12
J
13
A
31
S
19
O
33
N
15
D
62
Oceanic Blacktip Shark

Oceanic Blacktip Shark

334 Sightings
J
31
F
25
M
19
A
44
M
10
J
2
J
19
A
32
S
19
O
18
N
63
D
52

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish

318 Sightings
J
20
F
25
M
44
A
18
M
25
J
11
J
23
A
29
S
22
O
22
N
28
D
51

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster

274 Sightings
J
37
F
7
M
22
A
25
M
15
J
4
J
23
A
28
S
22
O
45
N
20
D
26

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

Total number of species approx.: 80

Emperor

Emperor

218 Sightings
J
50
F
24
M
10
A
3
M
11
J
14
J
17
A
22
S
8
O
18
N
19
D
22
Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)

203 Sightings
J
27
F
16
M
13
A
25
M
10
J
5
J
10
A
17
S
11
O
10
N
22
D
37

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Underwater Beginner