Maaya Thila Dive Site

Dive Site: Maaya Thila (Protected Marine Area)
Type of Dive Site: Thila (Pinnacle)
Location: North Ari Atoll
Best Time to Dive: All year round
GPS Position: 04.05470, 072.51730
Depth Range: 5m – 30m
Coral Growth: Above average
Features: Caves and coral heads
Fish Life: Abundant
Experience Level: Novice

Diving Hints and Currents:

If the current is not strong at Maaya Thila, the diving is easy and divers can easily circle the Thila. Depending on the current, the dive begins at the up-current and dive guides will navigate to the coral formations in deeper waters. Here, divers hover or hold on to a coral and observe the fish life.

Grey Reef Sharks congregate around the coral in the deeper water at Maaya Thila.  Depending on the strength of the currents, Grey Reef Sharks and White Tip Reef Sharks sometimes come as shallow as the reef’s edge at just 12 meters. It’s not unusual to spend the entire dive at the up-current observing the fish life. The top reef is the perfect place to do the required safety stop.  A safety balloon is necessary at Maaya Thila. 

Night Dive:

Maaya Thila is one of the best sites in the Maldives for a night dive. The dive boat is usually fixed to the mooring and a line is used for the ascent and descent for safety reasons.  A strobe light is attached to the rope at 5 meters to identify the rope underwater.

On the Maaya Thila night dive, divers get to experience swimming close to White Tip Reef Sharks. Turtles rest inside caves / overhangs, while Moray Eels and White Tip Sharks hunt the vulnerable Fusiliers. Octopus and Stone Fish can be found around the top reef. The caves where the crevices are found are the ideal place for people who are interested in macro photography. Here you will find Cleaner Shrimps, Ghost Pipe Fish and many more seldom-seen species.

The Maaya Thila night dive is a must for all scuba divers visiting the Maldives and is a one-of-a-kind dive.