Fish Head (Mushi Mas Mingili Thila) | Best Diving in the Maldives

Fish Head (Mushi Mas Mingili Thila) - Maldives Dive Site

Type of Dive Site: Thila (Pinnacle), Protected Marine Area
Location: North Ari Atoll
Best Time to Dive: All year round
GPS Position: 03.56000, 72.55000
Depth Range: 10m – 30m
Coral Growth: Above average
Features: Caves, overhangs
Fish Life: Excellent
Experience Level: Novice if the current is not too strong

Dive Site Map - Fish Head - Mushi Mas Mingili Thila

Fish Head - Mushi Mas Mingili Thila - Maldives Dive Site

Diving Hints and Currents:

This Maldives dive site Fish Head – Mushi Mas Mingili, is a classic thila-style dive spot, comprised of a huge flat-top reef rising steeply from the inner atoll floor at 40-50 meters, culminating at around 10 meters from the surface. Due to its variety of stunning marine life, sharks and underwater scenery, this diving location has the reputation of being one of the top 10 dive sites in the world.

Head of a napoleon wrasse close up photo

Traditionally, the fishermen of Ari Atoll used to scour this dive site for sharks, and divers were enticed to this location Fish Head, by the appearance of fishing dhoanis. Sharks used to be hunted mainly for their oil, however the high prices for shark fins in the asian market led to increased demand for sharks.

The Atoll fishermen were naturally reluctant to share their most productive fishing ground with the divers, hence a conflict of interest arose which required the government to step in.

In 1995 this top dive location was declared a protected marine area to ensure sustainability for the Maldives marine life, and became a haven for diving tourists to the Maldives.

Mushi Mas Mingili Thila dive site is a square shaped reef around 80 meters wide, and can be circumnavigated in one solitary dive if the current plays along and is not too strong.

There are many caves, overhangs and ledges at varying depths all around the reef, and for the most part there is a huge undercut from about 25 to 30 meters, before the reef declines to the bottom slopes.

The north side and north west side of Fish Head dive site have a very interesting underwater landscape at relatively shallow depths, making it ideal for novice divers, while at deeper levels you will find majestic caves with all the usual features like coral bushes and seafans.

Divers usually float around the more shallow quarters at Mushi Mas Minghili Thila, ideally around 15 meters at the reef edge, as this allows for the best overall view, and more often than not you will see a family of about 20 grey reef sharks patrolling the area.

Sharks are usually spotted on the up-current side of the reef. The reason why this premier diving location in Maldives is so popular, and better than most shark infested dive spots, is that the habits and mannerisms of the sharks can be closely observed from numerous secure locations on any part of the reef. Sometimes, you can even sight the sharks at the cleaner stations, where they expose their gleaming teeth to the demanding cleaner wrasse. It is a great spot for photographers as well, and some of the best videos and stills of the Maldives marine life are taken at this diving location.

Photo of Moray Eel taken on scuba safari at Fish Head dive site

The marine life is absolutely heaving at Fish Head, starting with the schools of fusilier and giant trevally glittering around the surface. Deeper down there are many barracudas and napoleon, one particular one which is more than 1.5 meters in length. There are numerous types of pelagics at this dive site, as well as beautiful underwater landscapes; one infamous feature in deeper waters being the straight wall on the northern side, where seafans sprout in great numbers from the reef edge.

Because of the immense popularity of this Maldives dive site, there may be numerous boats tied to the thila. Make sure to take note of which boat is yours, and also leave yourself with enough air for a safety stop on your return to the surface. A surface balloon is necessary at Fish Head. As usual, make sure to take special care not to kick or break the coral formations.

Fish Head dive site, or Mushi Mas Mingili is every diver’s favourite dive and one of the most prominent dive sites in Maldives. Famous for populations of Grey Reef Sharks, White Tip Reef Sharks, Napoleon Wrasse and many other pelagic, this used to be a shark feeding site until the government declared it a Protected Marine Area and banned shark feeding. Simply put, the fish life at Fish Head is excellent and also includes Trevallies, Jacks and Tuna. If the current is not too strong a complete circle can be made in one dive.