![]() It also offers you the opportunity to visit some of the more far-flung dive sites in the northern atolls. It’s not a cheap destination but a dive safari is probably more economical than booking into a resort. However, without a doubt, the way to get the most out of diving in North Maldives is on a liveaboard. Every resort will cater for divers and some are even dedicated to scuba diving. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation and the opportunity to do a few fun dives, staying at a resort in North Male Atoll is your best option. How to get the most out of diving in the north Maldives This protected marine area offers one dive site that divers of all levels can enjoy. Hans Haas Place is also a great place to see some less-common species, including scrawled filefish, leaf scorpionfish, and freckled hawkfish. The overhangs have ceilings of purple sea fans and soft corals that hide soldierfish, trumpetfish, and groupers. This 328-foot (100 m) reef starts at 16 feet (5 m), drops down to 100 feet (30 m), and plays host to several overhangs and caverns. Hans Haas Placeįree from the currents that are a staple of many dive sites in the north Maldives is Hans Haas Place. Liveaboards will often dive this site more than once due to popular demand. ![]() Eagle rays, tuna, barracuda, and gray reef sharks also frequently visit Girifushi Thila. These various rock formations offer the chance to escape from the current and observe snappers, lionfish, jacks, angelfish, and yellow-mouthed morays. The topography includes many overhangs, caves, and swim-throughs, including ‘the chimney,’ which rises from 85 to 33 feet (25 m to 10 m). As you drift along on the current, you’ll see an amazing array of brightly colored soft corals interspersed with tunicates and gorgonian fans. ‘Thila’ means submerged pinnacle, and this one’s shallowest point is around 39 feet (12 m). Girifushi Thila, or Rainbow Reef, is recognized as one of the best dive sites in the northern Maldives. The ship provides you with some shelter while exploring but make sure you have plenty of air remaining for the ascent and safety stop. The Maldive Victory wreck is located in a channel and currents are particularly strong in this area. Turtles often perch on the deck of the ship. Also expect to spot batfish, large puffers, and schools of fusiliers. Ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, soldierfish, and hawkfish take shelter among stunning corals. It now rests between 39 feet (12 m) and 115 feet (35 m) and has become a vibrant artificial reef, encrusted with sea fans and corals which countless species of marine animals now call home. In 1981, a 328-foot (100 m) Singaporean cargo ship sank on its journey to the Maldives. Manta Point is definitely one of the most exciting dives in North Maldives. Out in the blue, you’re likely to see schools of jacks and barracuda while whitetip reef sharks rest on the sandy bottom. Large numbers of oriental sweetlips, Napoleon wrasse, hawksbill turtles, morays, and octopus occupy the reef. If you can drag your eyes away from the mantas, Manta Point has plenty more to offer. Once the cleaners are done, the manta moves on to make room for the next one. By controlling your buoyancy and keeping your distance, you’ll see cleaner wrasse removing parasites and dead skin from the mantas’ body, mouth, and gills. Manta rays come in from the blue and queue above the shallow reef to visit one of three cleaning stations. Manta PointĪs the name suggests, Manta Point offers the area’s best chance of seeing these majestic creatures. Inexperienced divers should observe the bannerfish from a distance as the current in this area can be very strong. At the eastern end of Banana Reef is the ‘washing machine,’ where an enormous school of bannerfish hangs in the current. Watch for large grouper, bluestripe snapper, angelfish, morays, and lobster hiding in the crevices.Īs you drift with the current at depths between 33 and 85 feet (10 and 25 m), you’ll enjoy a varied topography including overhangs, caves, and caverns. Large thickets of pristine Acropora coral and huge sea fans occupy the sloping reef. This banana-shaped reef was one of the first sites discovered and is still a firm favorite with local divers, as it offers some of the best coral coverage in the Maldives. Clownfish are common in the north Maldives (photo credit: Torben Lonne) Banana Reef
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