Rasdhoo Ferry Terminal - North Ari Atoll
Don't let the name fool you, this isn't just a muddy boat launch. The Rasdhoo Ferry Terminal site offers a surprisingly chill dive, perfect for getting comfortable in the Maldivian water without battling strong currents. Dropping to a gentle 17 metres, we've spotted resident schooling snapper, curious batfish, and even the occasional reef shark cruising by the sandy bottom. It's an easy-going dive, well-suited for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed afternoon exploring the shallows. We often use it for a check-out dive, but it holds its own as a pleasant spot to just float and watch the local fish go about their day.
- Location
- North Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- 4.265800, 72.991100
- Maximum Depth
- 17m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
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
- Bathala Maaga Kan
- Bathala Tila
- Bodu Ashey
- Bodu Gah
- Cambra Beach - 18m
- Caves (cave)
- De faru
- De faru reef (reef)
- Fushi Faru - 23m (reef)
- Gangehi Kandu North - 21m (drift)
- Hafsa Thila - 15-30m (pinnacle)
- Hammerhead Point
- Hammerhead Point, Rasdhoo Atoll
- Holi Faru
- Kuramathi Caves - 24m (cave)
Nearest Dive Centres to Rasdhoo Ferry Terminal
- Azure Dive and Water Sports Centre - ["PADI"]
- Bodu Manta Diving
- Coco Dive Dhuni Kolhu - ["PADI"]
- Dive Butler Finolhu - ["PADI"]
- Dive Club Buoyancy - SSI
- Drop Dive Maldives - SSI
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
- Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
- Table coral (Acropora clathrata) - Hard Corals
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
- Long-beaked Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Staghorn coral (Acropora lutkeni) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora secale) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora acuminata) - Hard Corals
- Wrinkle coral (Coscinaraea monile) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora paniculata) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora donei) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora aculeus) - Hard Corals
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora horrida) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora echinata) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora humilis) - Hard Corals
- Species code: Si (Syringodium isoetifolium) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora tenuis) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Rasdhoo Ferry Terminal
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