Kuda Rah Thila - South Ari Atoll

Kuda Rah Thila is a solid pinnacle dive in South Ari, one we’ve visited a few times when the currents are right. You’re dropping onto a reef that tops out around 12 metres, then slopes down to a sandy bottom at 26 metres. We usually find schools of blue-stripe snappers tucked into the overhangs, and if you keep an eye out into the blue, grey reef sharks often cruise by. It’s an intermediate dive, suitable for those comfortable with drift dives, as the currents here can pick up. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light hitting the reef is particularly good then.

Location
South Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
3.559400, 72.923200
Type
pinnacle
Maximum Depth
26m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Aa.Kudarah Thila

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in South Ari Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to Kuda Rah Thila

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Kuda Rah Thila

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