Rasdhoo Reef - North Ari Atoll

Rasdhoo Reef, often just called Rasdhoo Madivaru, is a great spot if you're staying in the area and looking for an easy, shallow dive. We usually see plenty of reef sharks cruising along the outer edge, and the resident turtles are quite comfortable with divers. It’s a good choice for newer divers or for a relaxed afternoon drift after a deeper morning dive, with decent coral patches and usually mild currents.

Location
North Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
4.259207, 72.989970
Type
reef

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 Rasdhoo Reef

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 Rasdhoo Reef

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