Diving in South Malé Atoll

Best Time to Dive in South Malé Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in South Malé Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 28.5°C
• February: 28.8°C
• March: 29.4°C
• April: 30.4°C
• May: 30.1°C
• June: 29.6°C
• July: 29.7°C
• August: 29.6°C
• September: 29.4°C
• October: 29.3°C
• November: 29.3°C
• December: 29.0°C

Marine Life in South Malé Atoll

Home to 106 recorded species including 44 reef fish, 41 hard corals, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other.

Dive Site Difficulty in South Malé Atoll

South Malé Atoll has 39 beginner, 16 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for South Malé Atoll

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 19 cm/s.

• 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 Malé Atoll

• Lh.Fusheefaru Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category IV)
• 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)
• Lh.Kurehdhoo Kan'du Olhi - Reef and Channel area (IUCN Category IV)
• 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)
• R.Villingili Thila - Reef areas (IUCN Category Ia)
• 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)
• Lh.Sehlhifushi-Hiriyadhoo Sarahahdhu - Mangrove and Wetland Areas (IUCN Category VI)
• Lh. Vavvaraai, Dhan'difalhu Finolhaai,Kan'duolhi Sarahahdhu - Sandbank and Lagoon areas (IUCN Category IV)
• Lh.Dhashugiri Finolhu - Sandbank (IUCN Category Ia)
• Lh.Maagandu (Anemone) Thila - Dive Site (IUCN Category IV)
• Lh.Maakoa - Island (IUCN Category VI)
• 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)
• 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.Bathalaa 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.Huraafaru 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 Malé Atoll - Nearest Airports

• Velana International Airport (MLE), Malé - 44 km away, approx 63 min travel time
• Maafaru International Airport (NMF), Noonu Atoll - 224 km away, approx 259 min travel time
• Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ), Haa Dhaalu Atoll - 328 km away, approx 372 min travel time