Ellaidhoo Chaaya Reef - Rasdhoo Atoll
Ellaidhoo Chaaya Reef sits in Rasdhoo Atoll, putting you right amongst some of the Maldives' most active channels. We'd suggest this centre for divers keen on drift dives and encountering larger pelagics – think grey reef sharks and schooling eagle rays. If you’re looking for straightforward access to sites like Hammerhead Point and Madivaru, this is a solid base. It’s a good fit for those who appreciate convenience and direct boat access to popular, current-swept reefs.
- Location
- Rasdhoo Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- 4.005561, 72.948970
Dive Sites Near Ellaidhoo Chaaya Reef
Ellaidhoo Chaaya Reef provides access to 15 dive sites in Rasdhoo Atoll.
- Ari Atoll
- Bathalaamaagaa Kanthila - 10-30m (pinnacle)
- Bathala Maga Khan Faru - 24m (reef)
- Bathala Maga Khan Thila - 25m (pinnacle)
- Bidu Thila (pinnacle)
- Bojaha Madi (Moofushi Rock) - 25m
- Divebase - 5-15m (reef)
- Dive base Albatros House Reef (reef)
- Ellaidhoo Chaaya Reef (reef)
- Ellaidhoo house reef (reef)
- Etheremadivaru house reef (reef)
- Fesdhoo - 15-30m (channel)
- Fesdhoo thila - 10-30m (pinnacle)
- Fesdu Wreck (wreck)
- Fish Head (pinnacle)
Other Dive Centres in Rasdhoo Atoll
Best Time to Dive in Rasdhoo Atoll
The warmest water temperatures in Rasdhoo Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.7°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.6°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.6°C
- February: 28.8°C
- March: 29.6°C
- April: 30.7°C
- May: 30.1°C
- June: 29.7°C
- July: 29.8°C
- August: 29.8°C
- September: 29.6°C
- October: 29.3°C
- November: 29.4°C
- December: 29.1°C
Marine Life in Rasdhoo Atoll
Home to 104 recorded species including 42 hard corals, 42 reef fish, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 2 other.
Notable Marine Life
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
- Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora secale) - Hard Corals
- Table coral (Acropora clathrata) - Hard Corals
- Lineated Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora lutkeni) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora aculeus) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Rasdhoo Atoll
Based on average water temperature of 29.5°C, currents 16 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