Exit 8 - South Malé Atoll

Exit 8 delivers on big fish encounters, often with a relaxed drift. We've regularly seen blacktip reef sharks here, cruising just off the reef edge. The real draw, though, is the chance to spot whale sharks, particularly during the right season when they frequent the channel. This site is best for divers comfortable with open water and hoping for a pelagic sighting.

Location
South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
3.634707, 72.958320
Type
channel
Maximum Depth
15-30m

Marine Protected Area: Aa.Kudarah Thila

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 8

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 8

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