Caves - North Ari Atoll

Caves, in North Ari Atoll, gives you exactly what the name suggests: a chance to explore a series of small, shallow caverns and overhangs. We’ve found plenty of reef fish sheltering inside, and sometimes you’ll spot a white-tip reef shark cruising past the entrance. It’s a pretty easy dive, good for newer cave divers looking for a mellow introduction to overhead environments.

Location
North Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
4.284874, 72.930080
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Rasdhoo-Madivaru Sarahahdhu

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in North Ari Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to Caves

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Caves

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