Ari Atoll (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and Alifu Alifu Atoll) scuba dive sites in The Central (Baa, Lhaviyani, North & South Male, Alifu Alifu, Alifu Dhaalu, Vaavu Atolls)

This picturesque and idyllic atoll is considered to have some of the best dive sites in the Maldives. Stunning coral formations, incredible colors, small critters and big marine creatures is only a tip of the iceberg of what this Atoll offers.

Ari Atoll is one of the biggest and is divided into two parts – Alifu Alifu and Alifu Dhaalu.
Dives around the atoll come in one of three forms – Thila, Kandu or Lagoons. Thilas are underwater islands where a large amount of small and big marine life gather together to rest and feed. When the island rests inside of Kandu (channels) divers can experience strong currents. This is when you can expect to spot some of the big marine creatures. And, finally, lagoons offer some calm snorkeling and good opportunities to enjoy the variety of corals.
There are many relaxing recreational dive sites as well as dives for experienced divers along strong currents. One of those sites is the Broken Rock – a large rock with a channel between it where divers can swim through and enjoy beautiful soft and hard corals. Thre are also some small reef fishes swimming along these corals like anemones, puffer fish, moray eels, Napoleon wrasse, trigger fish and more.
Another site for experienced divers is the Gangehi Kandu. It’s tricky site which should only be dived when the currents are flowing into the site. The site is great for diving with sharks and large pelagic species. It’s also great to explore a variety of bright corals.
One of the best-preserved areas is the Kudarah Thila – a protected marine area with an abundance of snappers, dartfish, trumpet fish, grey reef sharks, gobies, schools of groupers, sweetlips, Napoleon wrasse and some turtles.
To spot some white tip reef sharks, stonefish, octopus, schools of jacks and tuna, divers should visit Maaya Thila. This dive site is equally great and different during day and night dives.
Ari Atoll provides a full range of underwater adventure for divers of all levels and experience.

The conditions in 87 Ari Atoll (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and Alifu Alifu Atoll) divesites you can expect to be - average depth from 16m to 45m, water temperature 27℃ to 30℃, air temperature 29℃ to 32℃, expected current 1 to 4 knots.

These Ari Atoll (Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and Alifu Alifu Atoll) dive sites are reef, nightdive, cave, wreck, wall, drift, snorkeling, artificially.

In these divesites you will be able to encounter and see Fishes, Ray, Shark, Animals, Turtle, Corals, Stingray, Eagle Ray, Manta Ray, Whale, Lionfish, Clownfish (Anemonefish), Barracuda, Snapper, Triggerfish, Tuna, Octopus, Parrotfish, Grouper, Clown Trigger Fish, Cuttlefish, Lobster, Dog Tooth tuna (White tuna), Shrimp, Snail, Porcupinefish, Molluscs, Grass emperor (Sweetlip), Pufferfish.