Nassimo Thila - Maldives Dive Site
Type of Dive Site: Thila (Pinnacle), Protected Marine Area
Location: North Male Atoll, West of Lanakanfinolhu (Paradise Island)
Best Time to Dive: All year round
GPS Position: 04.17160, 073.32195
Depth Range: 9m – 30m
Coral Growth: Excellent
Features: Caves, overhangs and randomly scattered coral heads
Experience Level: Advanced
Fish Life: Abundant
Dive Site Map - Nassimo Thila -Lankan Thila
Diving Hints and Currents:
This spectacular Maldives dive site Nassimo Thila, Lankan Thila, is regarded by many as the best diving location in North Male Atoll. Also referred to as Nassimo Thila, Paradise Rock or Virgin Reef, it boasts stunning rock formations, caves, abundant fish life and everything else that is desired for an exciting dive. The top of the thila is between 10 and 15 meters and in a slightly oval shape.
One of the major attractions are the huge pinnacles situated on the north east side of Nassimo Thila dive site. These peaks are exposed to the full power of the currents, and therefore carry a brilliant display of soft coral on all the rock faces and overhangs. The tops of the pinnacles are between 18 and 25 meters, and a majority drop away sharply on the outside. Here you will often find napoleon, trevally, black snapper, red bass, moray eels and barracudas.
Close up photo of gaping mouthed moray eel at Nassimo Thila dive site
On the main reef of Nassimo Thila dive site, there are long overhangs and caves between 15 meters and 20 meters, stretching almost along the entire eastern side. The northern end contains a cave at 20 meters with delicate soft blue coral formations, and often you can spot a nurse shark gliding through the area. The southern end contains overhangs full of seafans, ranging from very small to very large. On the eastern side there is another shallow cave and a swim-through to a narrow gutter, which cuts through to the reef top. This is a common good location to spot scorpionfish and tiger cowrie shells. The reef top houses many species of grouper, such as the large flower grouper and peacock rock-cod.
At the highest point of the reef at Lankan Thila dive site, at roughly 9 meters, on the north eastern end you will find several huge porite corals up to five meters in diameter. Here you can also find schools of snapper fish enjopying the depths of the Maldives. With a favorable current, and a good utilization of air, a relaxed dive can be undertaken for the entire length of the reef; gliding in and around the coral peaks and overhangs before ascending to the top of the reef. However, to accomplish this within no-decompression limits, depth should be limited to around 25 meters to maximize bottom time.
Divers should ideally spend plenty of time on the reef top, and if the current allows it make the trip to the more shallow porite coral on the north eastern ridge. It is advised to take a parachute or a safety balloon when diving in this Maldives dive site.
Nassimo Thila is an oval-shaped Thila displaying a good variety of colourful, soft corals. The most interesting aspect of Nassimo Thila is the randomly scattered pinnacles. Spend as much time as possible around the scattered pinnacles but limit your depth to maximize bottom time as the scattered pinnacles go down to more than 30 meters.
Currents at Nassimo Thila are usually strong, so it is only recommended for advanced divers. Depending on the strength of the currents, many pelagics can be seen near the coral reef at Nassimo Thila or in the deeper water just off the reefs, including Giant Trevallies, Jacks, Dogtooth Tuna and many more. A surface balloon is a must as the dive site is subjected to heavy boat traffic from the nearby resort island.
More Dive Spots in Maldives:
- Okobe Thila
- Orimas Thila - Maagaa Thila
- Rangali Madivaru
