Exit - South Malé Atoll

Exit. What a name. It sounds a bit ominous, doesn't it? Like you're being ushered out the back door. But trust us, you’ll want to stay awhile once you drop in. We love this site for its sheer, understated fishiness. It’s not about the big pelagics here, though you might get a passing eagle ray if you’re lucky. Exit is all about getting up close and personal with the little guys. Our favourite part is the wall. It's plastered with small cracks and crevices, and if you take your time, you'll spot chestnut blennies poking their heads out, bloodspot pipefish swaying gently, and those utterly charming twinspot hawkfish perched on every coral outcrop. Seriously, spend ten minutes just observing one of those hawkfish; their antics are pure entertainment. The reef here isn't the most colourful in the Maldives, more subtle browns and greens from the stony corals, but the fish life is so dense it makes up for it. We'd suggest going slow, hugging the reef, and keeping an eye out for the enigmatic moray eels. They're masters of camouflage. This site is perfect for macro lovers and photographers willing to really search, rather than just waiting for things to swim past.

Location
South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
4.086476, 73.510180
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
10-20m

Marine Protected Area: K.Embudhoo 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 Exit

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 Exit

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