Bolifushi - South Malé Atoll

Bolifushi always feels like one of those sites we could dive every day and still find something new. It’s a gentle drift along the outer reef, easy enough for newer divers but with enough nooks and crannies to keep the seasoned crew happy. The corals here are in surprisingly good shape, considering the boat traffic in the area, with some really impressive table corals stretching out like dinner plates. We often find ourselves spotting critters we don't see elsewhere. Keep an eye out for the Sunburst Butterflyfish – they’re a vibrant splash of yellow and orange against the deeper blue. We’ve also had some fantastic encounters with Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish, particularly a big school that seems to hang out near a cleaning station mid-reef. Our favourite part has to be the sheer volume of smaller life, from the shy Redlined Pygmygobies to the more obvious Bandcheek Wrasse zipping past. The currents here are generally mild, so you can really take your time and soak it all in. If you're into macro, bring a good torch and scan the overhangs; the odd Crown of Thorns Starfish might be hiding, but mostly it's tiny crabs and shrimps.

Location
South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
4.099112, 73.400470
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
10-25m

Marine Protected Area: Dhekunu Thilafalhuge Miyaruvani

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 Bolifushi

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 Bolifushi

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