How many dive sites are in South Ari Atoll?

South Ari Atoll has 83 dive sites and 22 dive centres in Maldives.

Is diving in South Ari Atoll suitable for beginners?

South Ari Atoll has 30 beginner, 7 intermediate dive sites. With 30 beginner-friendly sites, it's a good option for new divers.

What marine life can you see in South Ari Atoll?

152 marine species have been recorded in South Ari Atoll's waters, including fish, corals, invertebrates, and marine mammals.

What is the water temperature in South Ari Atoll?

Water temperatures in South Ari Atoll range from 29°C in December to 29°C in December.

Diving in South Ari Atoll

Explore 83 dive sites in South Ari Atoll, Maldives. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in South Ari Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in South 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: 27.9°C)
April: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
May: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
June: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
July: 28.7°C (air: 28.1°C)
August: 28.7°C (air: 27.9°C)
September: 28.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
October: 28.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
November: 28.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
December: 28.7°C (air: 27.5°C)

Marine Life in South Ari Atoll

Home to 152 recorded species including 85 hard corals, 50 reef fish, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 2 other.

Dive Site Difficulty in South Ari Atoll

South Ari Atoll has 30 beginner, 7 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for South Ari Atoll

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

Marine Protected Areas in South Ari Atoll

K.Makunudhoo Kan'duolhi - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
K.Thanburudhoo Sarahahdhu - Island, Mangrove, Reef and Dive Site (IUCN Category Ib)
Dhekunu Thilafalhuge Miyaruvani - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Gulhifalhu Medhugaionna Kohlavaanee - Reef areas (IUCN Category VI)
K.Embudhoo Kan'duolhi - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
K.Guraidhoo Kan'duolhi - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
Aa.Maayaa Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Mushimasmigili Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Aa.Orimas Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Aa.Kudarah Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
V.Miyaru Kan'du - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
K.Rasfari Sarahahdhu - Reef areas (IUCN Category VI)
Banana Reef - Reef area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
K.Giraavaru Kudahaa - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Fushi Kan'du - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Filitheyo Kan'du - Reef area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Lhazikuraadi/Hakura Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Karibeyru Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Lankan/Nassimo Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Faruhulhuvalhi Beyru (Rangali Kan'du) - Reef areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Vattaru Kan'du - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
Adh.Hurasdhoo Sarahahdhu - Island, Reef and Lagoon Areas (IUCN Category Not Reported)
South Ari Marine Protected Area - Reef areas (IUCN Category IV)
K.Huraa Kan'doo Faa Sarahahdhu - Mangrove and Wetland Areas (IUCN Category VI)
Rasdhoo-Madivaru Sarahahdhu - Ecologically and biologically significant area (EBSA) (IUCN Category IV)
Maldives Victory Aaaguboatu Fethifaivaa Sarahahdhu - Dive Site (IUCN Category VI)
L. Maabaidhoo Koaru adhi Fushi Kan'du Sarahahdhu - Mangrove, Wetland, Reef and Island area (IUCN Category VI)
Ga.Hithaadhoo Sarahahdhu - Island, Reef and Lagoon Areas (IUCN Category IV)
L.Gan Boda Fengan'du Sarahahdhu - Mangrove, Wetland and Reef Areas (IUCN Category VI)
L.Gaadhoo-Hithadhoo Kan'du Sarahahdhu - Island, Reef and Lagoon Areas (IUCN Category IV)
L.Gaadhoo Sarahahdhu - Lagoon areas (IUCN Category IV)
L.Bodu Finolhu adhi Vadinolhu Kan'duolhi Sarahahdhu - Sandbank and Reef areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Thun'duhuraa - Island and Reef areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Ruh Huri Huraa Sarahahdhu - Island, Lagoon and Reef (IUCN Category VI)
V.Rakeedhoo Corner Sarahahdhu - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Kashavarufalhu Sarahahdhu - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Huralhu Kan'du Sarahahdhu - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Huraa Falhu Sarahahdhu - Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Hin'gaakulhee Finolhu Sarahahdhu - Sandbank, Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
V.Fussaufaru Sarahahdhu - Sandbank, Reef and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category VI)
K. Boduhithi Thila - Reef area (IUCN Category IV)
K. Okkobethila - Reef areas (IUCN Category IV)
B.Angafaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Dharavandhoo Thila - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Dhigalihaa Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Goidhoo Koaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Hanifaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Innafushi Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Maahuravalhi Faruge Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Mathifaruhuraa Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Mendhoo Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Nelivaru Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
B.Olhugiri Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
Corbin Nau Uravefaivaa Sarahahdhu - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to South Ari Atoll - Nearest Airports

Villa International Airport Maamigili (VAM), Maamigili - 21 km away, approx 38 min travel time
Velana International Airport (MLE), Malé - 105 km away, approx 129 min travel time
Maafaru International Airport (NMF), Noonu Atoll - 273 km away, approx 312 min travel time

Dive Sites

1000 Rocks - 27m (2.9498, 73.5228)
Aah Thila - 10-30m (3.5369, 72.9408)
Aiyabe Thila (3.7250, 72.7603)
Ali Thila (3.7919, 72.8872)
Amazing reef s (3.6328, 72.9571)
Ari Beache Beru - 5-20m (3.4950, 72.8990)
Ariyadhoo Corner - 15-30m (3.4790, 72.8450)
Biledhdhoo Kandu - 24m (3.0945, 73.0058)
Bobana Thila - 5-30m (3.6368, 72.8183)
Bodu Beru - 21m (3.1793, 73.0009)
Bodufinolhu Thila (3.4920, 72.7614)
Bodumiyarugau (3.7561, 72.7934)
Bulaloghi Faru - 21m (3.7422, 72.7259)
Chapati Tilas - 30m (2.9525, 73.5300)
Dangheti Port (3.6054, 72.9526)
Dega Thila (3.7923, 72.7384)
Dhangethi Thila (3.6179, 72.9630)
Dhidhoo Beru (3.4861, 72.8878)
Dhiffushi Beru (3.4656, 72.8193)
Dhigga Thila (3.7296, 72.7587)
Dhigu Faru Kuda Thila - 23m (3.6540, 72.7810)
Dhigurah Beyru - 23m (3.5255, 72.9267)
Dhigurah Faru (3.5295, 72.9150)
Dhigurah Thila (3.5428, 72.9389)
falhu (3.8163, 72.9501)
falhu (3.8052, 72.9480)
Filitheyo East - 23m (3.2129, 73.0409)
Filitheyo Housereef - 21m (3.2138, 73.0332)
Filitheyo Outside - 25m (3.2089, 73.0407)
Filitheyo Thila - 28m (3.2032, 73.0392)
Five Rocks (3.5637, 72.9386)
Goh Raalhu Thila (3.6416, 72.7940)
Grouper Cave - 17m (2.8953, 73.5115)
Hakura Giri - 23m (2.8864, 73.5306)
Kahambu Giri (3.6026, 72.9409)
Kudadhoo Corner (3.4761, 72.8708)
Kuda Giri - 25m (3.1458, 73.0165)
Kudarah Thila (3.5833, 72.8000)
Kuda Rah Thila - 26m (3.5594, 72.9232)
KUDHIMA - 20m (3.6083, 72.9000)
Kudhimaa Wreck (3.5948, 72.8851)
Kurali Corner - 20m (2.7713, 73.3698)
Kurali Kandu - 18m (2.7586, 73.3794)
Lily manta point - 18m (3.6805, 72.9591)
Loabi Giri - 21m (3.2455, 72.9927)
Maamigili Beru - 10-25m (3.4654, 72.8337)
Maamigili Beyru - 23m (3.4673, 72.8420)
Maamigili Corner (3.4697, 72.8462)
Machchafushi Housereef (3.5922, 72.8805)
Machchafushi Wreck - 15-30m (3.5909, 72.8831)
Madivaru Manta point (3.5887, 72.7202)
Magey Modu Thila - 22m (3.5503, 72.7357)
Mahibadhoo Rock (Manta Point) - 17m (3.7167, 72.9705)
Mahibadhoo Rocks (3.7489, 72.9725)
Medhufushi Thila - 22m (2.9078, 73.5547)
meedhoo out - 23m (2.9973, 73.0093)
Meemu Atoll (2.9000, 73.6000)
Omadhoo Thila (3.7951, 72.9654)
Panetone (3.7999, 72.7137)
Panettone Thila (3.6167, 72.8000)
Picasso - 21m (2.9097, 73.5319)
Pretty In Pink - 23m (2.9589, 73.5332)
Rahdhigga Island Housereef (3.7540, 72.7540)
Rahdhigga Thila (3.7510, 72.7358)
Rahdigaa Thila (3.6000, 72.8000)
Rangali Madivaru - 22m (3.5855, 72.7165)
Ranvelhi Thila (3.6342, 72.9639)
Ranvelli Vilage House reef (3.6197, 72.9548)
Rayvilla (Wreck) - 28m (2.9854, 73.4111)
Seven Stingrays - 28m (3.2337, 73.0302)
Southern Atolls Diving: Maldives Adventures (2.8000, 73.4000)
String of Pearls - 22m (3.2201, 73.0302)
Sun Island Housereef - 5-20m (3.4886, 72.8029)
Takatuka Land - 21m (3.2429, 73.0095)
The Big Cave - 29m (2.9540, 73.5199)
The Cathedral - 22m (3.1529, 73.0016)
The Scorpion - 18m (2.9403, 73.5420)
Thinfushi Thila (3.5670, 72.9387)
Triple Rock - 18m (2.8904, 73.5416)
Veli Kandu (3.8004, 72.7045)
Vilamendhoo Thila (3.6341, 72.9659)
Wall Street - 27m (3.1178, 72.9803)
Wave Giri - 20m (2.9473, 73.5377)