How many dive sites are in North Ari Atoll?

North Ari Atoll has 43 dive sites and 11 dive centres in Maldives.

Is diving in North Ari Atoll suitable for beginners?

North Ari Atoll has 19 beginner, 4 intermediate dive sites. With 19 beginner-friendly sites, it's a good option for new divers.

What marine life can you see in North Ari Atoll?

138 marine species have been recorded in North Ari Atoll's waters, including fish, corals, invertebrates, and marine mammals.

What is the water temperature in North Ari Atoll?

Water temperatures in North Ari Atoll range from 29°C in December to 29°C in December.

Diving in North Ari Atoll

Explore 43 dive sites in North Ari Atoll, Maldives. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in North Ari Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in North Ari Atoll occur in January, averaging 28.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.7°C (air: 27.5°C)
February: 28.7°C (air: 27.8°C)
March: 28.7°C (air: 28.0°C)
April: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
May: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
June: 28.7°C (air: 28.5°C)
July: 28.7°C (air: 28.1°C)
August: 28.7°C (air: 27.9°C)
September: 28.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
October: 28.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
November: 28.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
December: 28.7°C (air: 27.5°C)

Marine Life in North Ari Atoll

Home to 138 recorded species including 82 hard corals, 38 reef fish, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 2 sea cucumbers.

Dive Site Difficulty in North Ari Atoll

North Ari Atoll has 19 beginner, 4 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for North Ari Atoll

Based on average water temperature of 28.7°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in North Ari Atoll

Lh.Fusheefaru Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category IV)
K.Makunudhoo Kan'duolhi - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
K.Thanburudhoo Sarahahdhu - Island, Mangrove, Reef and Dive Site (IUCN Category Ib)
Dhekunu Thilafalhuge Miyaruvani - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Gulhifalhu Medhugaionna Kohlavaanee - Reef areas (IUCN Category VI)
K.Embudhoo Kan'duolhi - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
K.Guraidhoo Kan'duolhi - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
Aa.Maayaa Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Mushimasmigili Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Aa.Orimas Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Aa.Kudarah Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
V.Miyaru Kan'du - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
K.Rasfari Sarahahdhu - Reef areas (IUCN Category VI)
Banana Reef - Reef area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
K.Giraavaru Kudahaa - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Fushi Kan'du - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Filitheyo Kan'du - Reef area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Lh.Kurehdhoo Kan'du Olhi - Reef and Channel area (IUCN Category IV)
Lhazikuraadi/Hakura Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Karibeyru Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Lankan/Nassimo Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
R.Villingili Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Ia)
Faruhulhuvalhi Beyru (Rangali Kan'du) - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Vattaru Kan'du - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Adh.Hurasdhoo Sarahahdhu - Island, Reef and Lagoon Areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
South Ari Marine Protected Area - Reef areas (IUCN Category IV)
K.Huraa Kan'doo Faa Sarahahdhu - Mangrove and Wetland Areas (IUCN Category VI)
Rasdhoo-Madivaru Sarahahdhu - Ecologically and biologically significant area (EBSA) (IUCN Category IV)
N. Orimas Thila - Dive Site (IUCN Category VI)
N.Kendhikilhudhoo Kulhi - Mangrove, Wetland and Reef Areas (IUCN Category VI)
N.Fohdhipparu Finolhu Sarahahdhu - Sandbank and Lagoon Area (IUCN Category VI)
Sh.Bolissafaru Sarahahdhu - Island, Reef and Lagoon Areas (IUCN Category VI)
N. Bodulhaimendhoo Sarahahdhu - Island, Mangrove and Reef Areas (IUCN Category VI)
Lh.Sehlhifushi-Hiriyadhoo Sarahahdhu - Mangrove and Wetland Areas (IUCN Category VI)
Lh. Vavvaraai, Dhan'difalhu Finolhaai,Kan'duolhi Sarahahdhu - Sandbank and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category IV)
Lh.Dhashugiri Finolhu - Sandbank (IUCN Category Ia)
Lh.Maagandu (Anemone) Thila - Dive Site (IUCN Category IV)
Lh.Maakoa - Island (IUCN Category VI)
Maldives Victory Aaaguboatu Fethifaivaa Sarahahdhu - Dive Site (IUCN Category VI)
V.Thun'duhuraa - Island and Reef areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Ruh Huri Huraa Sarahahdhu - Island, Lagoon and Reef (IUCN Category VI)
V.Rakeedhoo Corner Sarahahdhu - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Kashavarufalhu Sarahahdhu - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Huralhu Kan'du Sarahahdhu - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Huraa Falhu Sarahahdhu - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Hin'gaakulhee Finolhu Sarahahdhu - Sandbank, Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Fussaufaru Sarahahdhu - Sandbank, Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
K. Boduhithi Thila - Reef area (IUCN Category IV)
K. Okkobethila - Reef areas (IUCN Category IV)
B.Angafaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Bathalaa Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Dharavandhoo Thila - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Dhigalihaa Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Goidhoo Koaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Hanifaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Huraafaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Innafushi Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Maahuravalhi Faruge Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Mathifaruhuraa Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Mendhoo Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Nelivaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Olhugiri Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
Corbin Nau Uravefaivaa Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to North Ari Atoll - Nearest Airports

Velana International Airport (MLE), Malé - 65 km away, approx 85 min travel time
Maafaru International Airport (NMF), Noonu Atoll - 183 km away, approx 214 min travel time
Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ), Haa Dhaalu Atoll - 278 km away, approx 318 min travel time

Dive Sites

Bathala Maaga Kan (4.0549, 72.9575)
Bathala Tila (4.0702, 72.9501)
Bodu Ashey (4.2903, 72.9767)
Bodu Gah (4.2602, 72.9615)
Cambra Beach - 18m (4.2635, 72.9937)
Caves (4.2849, 72.9301)
De faru (4.1744, 72.8785)
De faru reef (4.1807, 72.8666)
Fushi Faru - 23m (4.2174, 72.8813)
Gangehi Kandu North - 21m (4.2189, 72.7370)
Hafsa Thila - 15-30m (4.1372, 72.8394)
Hammerhead Point (4.2636, 73.0011)
Hammerhead Point, Rasdhoo Atoll (4.2900, 72.9900)
Holi Faru (4.2570, 72.9811)
Kuramathi Caves - 24m (4.2738, 72.9410)
Kuramathi Housereef - 17m (4.2594, 72.9856)
Kuramathi Wreck (4.2620, 72.9773)
Maagiri Thila - 23m (4.1920, 72.7660)
Maavaru Manta Point - 16m (4.2812, 72.7808)
Maayafushi Bay - 5-15m (4.0758, 72.8832)
Madi Gaa - 14m (4.3209, 73.0055)
Madivaru Beyru - 17m (4.2682, 73.0037)
Madivaru Channel - 24m (4.2626, 72.9981)
Madivaru Finolhu - 18m (4.2723, 73.0075)
Miyaru Faru (4.3303, 73.0055)
Mushimas Migili Reef (3.9624, 72.9088)
North Channel (4.3202, 73.0089)
Rasdhoo Beyru - 22m (4.2594, 72.9936)
Rasdhoo Beyru Kandu - 24m (4.3342, 72.9995)
Rasdhoo Diving: Hammerheads and Other Pelagics (4.2833, 72.9833)
Rasdhoo Ferry Terminal - 17m (4.2658, 72.9911)
Rasdhoo Miyaru Faru - 24m (4.3344, 72.9841)
Rasdhoo North Channel - 23m (4.3247, 73.0069)
Rasdhoo Reef (4.2592, 72.9900)
Rasdhoo Try Dive Area - 13m (4.2622, 72.9902)
Reef Explorer (wreck) - 17m (4.2622, 72.9858)
Shark View Point - 23m (4.2160, 72.8665)
Thoddoo Rangabeelu - 23m (4.4449, 72.9629)
Thoddoo South Corner - 23m (4.4288, 72.9645)
Thoddoo Turtle / Vella Ulhey Than - 20m (4.4280, 72.9594)
Three Palms (4.2589, 72.9697)
Turtle Reef - 20m (4.2845, 73.0125)
Veligand North (4.3092, 73.0121)