North Male Atoll - North Malé Atoll

North Male Atoll is where Maldivian diving really kicked off, and it still holds its own. You’ll spend most of your time exploring these dramatic underwater landscapes – think big rock faces, overhangs, and some serious drop-offs. We’ve had some great drifts along the walls here, often with grey reef sharks cruising by and schools of fusiliers so thick they almost block out the sun. It's a solid choice for divers who appreciate dramatic topography and a good chance of pelagics, especially if you catch the currents right.

Location
North Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
4.300000, 73.500000

Marine Protected Area: K. Okkobethila

Best Time to Dive in North Malé Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in North Malé Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.9°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.6°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.8°C
  • April: 30.9°C
  • May: 30.1°C
  • June: 29.6°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.6°C
  • September: 29.4°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 29.0°C

Nearby Dive Sites in North Malé Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to North Male Atoll

Marine Life in North Malé Atoll

Home to 101 recorded species including 42 reef fish, 41 hard corals, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for North Male Atoll

Based on average water temperature of 29.5°C, currents 10 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°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