Mantas and More - South Malé Atoll

Mantas and More, sitting in South Malé Atoll, often delivers exactly what the name implies, particularly during the right season. This reef is around 25m deep, a comfortable intermediate dive, and our experiences here during the northeast monsoon (roughly December to May) have been great for spotting mantas as they feed on plankton blooms. You’ll typically drift along the reef edge, keeping an eye on the channel for the manta rays sweeping by, often accompanied by blacktip reef sharks. It’s not the most colourful reef in the Maldives, but if pelagics are your aim, it’s a reliable bet, though strong currents can pick up, so be prepared for a bit of a ride.

Location
South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
2.926900, 73.589900
Maximum Depth
25m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Lhazikuraadi/Hakura 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 Mantas and More

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 Mantas and More

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