Appa Thila - South Malé Atoll

Appa Thila, a solid pinnacle dive in South Malé, offers a comfortable entry point for newer divers. The top of the thila sits around 21 metres, making it an easy profile to manage. We've seen plenty of schooling snapper here, along with the usual reef residents darting between the coral heads. It’s a good spot to get your fins wet and enjoy a relaxed dive without battling strong currents, which can be a real factor in other parts of the atoll. Think gentle exploration rather than high-octane drift.

Location
South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
3.915900, 73.371200
Type
pinnacle
Maximum Depth
21m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: K.Guraidhoo Kan'duolhi

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

Nearby Dive Sites in South Malé Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to Appa Thila

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Appa Thila

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