Your Guide to the Maldives Best Dive Sites: A Deep Dive into Channels, Walls, and Pinnacles 

Discover the Best Diving in the Maldives with Explorer Ventures Fleet 

The Maldives is a diver’s dream – home to some of the world’s most spectacular underwater experiences. From adrenaline-pumping channels to manta-filled thilas and coral-crusted reefs, these iconic sites deliver thrilling marine encounters and pristine reef exploration. 

Explorer Ventures Fleet’s Emperor Explorer liveaboard takes you straight to the heart of the action, with expertly designed 7- to 14‑night itineraries that follow the best conditions and wildlife activity across the remote atolls. 
 
Discover the Maldives’ best dive sites on four custom-made itineraries: Best of the Maldives, Deep South, Sharktastic and Northern Hi-Lights.  

Maldives Quick Reference Guide: 

• Known For: Unforgettable channel dives, vibrant coral pinnacles (thilas), tons of tropical fish, and big pelagic sightings. 

• Likely to See: Manta rays, whale sharks, sharks, and active reef life. 

• Best Time to Go: Excellent year-round. 

• Why We Love This Destination: Each itinerary follows seasonal marine life movements, and the best weather means maximized opportunities for incredible marine life encounters. 

Best Dive Sites by Itinerary  

1. Best of the Maldives Itinerary: North and South Malé, Rasdhoo, Ari, and Vaavu Atolls 

The atolls explored on The Best of Maldives itinerary highlight impressive dive features known as thilas (pinnacles) and kandus (channels), offering accessible but thrilling dives. A variety of life can be seen here, including sharks, large pelagic fish and dense coral growth. 

Top Dive Sites: 

• Kandooma Thila (South Malé): A submerged pinnacle known for its striking topography and fast currents, Kandooma is teeming with grey reef sharks, schools of snapper, and vibrant soft corals, making it one of the Maldives’ most photogenic dives. 

• Maaya Thila (South Ari): Best known as a night dive, Maaya Thila transforms at night to hunt sharks and jacks. Moray eels, lionfish, and octopus also make regular appearances. 

• Kudarah Thila (South Ari): A marine protected area, this thila is bursting with marine life and is covered in soft corals. Barracuda, schools of blue-striped snappers, and white-tip sharks patrol the area. 

• Dhigurah Beyru (South Ari): This long stretch of outer reef is one of the best locations for spotting whale sharks, particularly during slack tide when they gather near the surface. 

• Fotteyo Kandu (Vaavu): Arguably one of the Maldives’ best channel dives, Fotteyo features swim-throughs, vibrant soft corals, and frequent sightings of grey reef and white-tip sharks. This site is only accessible in the dry season with the correct conditions. 

When To Go: Year-round 
Trip Length: 7- or 10-night trips 
Airport Code: MLE (Malé) 

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2. Northern Hi-Lights Itinerary – North Malé, Lhaviyani, Bas, Rasdoo, and North Ari Atolls 

This Northern Hi-Lights route is perfect for divers looking for a mix of current diving and manta action. You’ll escape the crowds to explore remote, less-traveled atolls with healthy coral reefs. You can expect to see lots of manta rays, reef sharks, and a stunning range of reef and macro life.  

Top Dive Sites: 

• Hanifaru Bay (Baa): A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Hanifaru Bay is world-famous for its seasonal aggregation of manta rays (June-November) and occasional whale shark encounters. Snorkeling only, but it’s still unforgettable. 

• Dhonfanu Thila (Baa): This deep pinnacle attracts dozens of mantas when currents bring in plankton. Macro lovers will also find ghost pipefish and leaf fish among the corals. 

• Kuredu Express (Lhaviyani): One of the Maldives’ most exhilarating drift dives, Kuredu Express features powerful currents that bring in grey reef sharks, giant trevally, and barracuda. You must be an experienced diver for this dive. 

When to Go: July to October 
Trip Length: 10 nights 
Airport Code: MLE (Malé) 

3. Deep South Itinerary – Fuvahmulah, Addu and Huvadhoo Atolls  

Visit the Deep South for bucket-list pelagics and less visited southern areas. Here you could spot tiger sharks, thresher sharks, hammerheads, mola mola, and WWII wrecks. This itinerary is best for experienced divers.  

Top Dive Sites: 

• Fuvahmulah Atoll: This single-island atoll is home to unique pelagic species, especially tiger sharks, which are frequently seen at Tiger Zoo. Other rare sightings include oceanic mantas, thresher sharks, hammerheads, and even mola mola. 

• Addu Atoll – British Loyalty Wreck: This massive WWII wreck lies between 18–33 meters and is one of the best wreck dives in the Maldives. It’s encrusted with coral and teems with groupers, lionfish, and batfish. 

• Addu Kandu: With visibility often exceeding 30m (98ft), divers can see grey reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, and barracuda. Currents can be strong, making for an exhilarating drift. 

• Huvadhoo Atoll – Villingili Kandu: This remote channel dive is shark central where grey reef, white-tip, and the occasional hammerhead can be found cruising in strong currents. 

When: February & March (by charter request) 
Trip Length: 7 or 14 nights 
Airport Codes: Malé (MLE) and Addu (GAN) 

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4. Sharktastic Itinerary – South Ari, South Malé, Vaavu and Meemu Atolls 

On the Sharktastic route, you’re guaranteed to have a sharky-time. It’s perfect for hardcore shark enthusiasts and thrill seekers chasing heart-pumping dives. You’ll likely see hammerheads, grey reef sharks, whale sharks, eagle rays, and smaller fish life.  

Top Dive Sites: 

• Kudarah Thila (South Ari): This protected marine pinnacle is bursting with life, including dense schools of snapper, barracuda, and fusiliers. Soft corals carpet the structure, while white-tip and grey reef sharks patrol the surrounding waters. 

• Miyaru Kandu (Vaavu): A fast-paced drift dive known for reliable sightings of grey reef sharks, whitetips, tuna, and schooling barracuda. Strong currents and excellent visibility make it a favorite for experienced divers chasing big action. 

• Mulaku Kandu (Meemu): Known for strong currents and crystal-clear visibility, this channel dive is home to schools of barracuda, tuna, and reef sharks. It’s an action-packed site. 

• Fotteyo Kandu (Vaavu): Considered one of the best dives in the Maldives, this high-adrenaline channel features colorful soft corals, dramatic walls, and narrow swim-throughs. This site is only accessible in the dry season with the correct conditions. 

When To Go: January to April 
Trip Length: 7 nights 
Airport Code: MLE (Malé) 

When to Dive the Maldives 

Diving is excellent all year in the Maldives, but two main seasons bring different highlights: 

• November to April: Best visibility, calmer seas, and peak shark action. 

• May to November: Manta and whale shark peak in Baa and South Ari (especially around Hanifaru Bay) 

Use our Maldives Season Guide to align your dive goals with the best time of year by minimizing surprises and maximizing your total dive holiday experience.  

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Meet Your Vessel: Emperor Explorer 

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Why Explorer Ventures Fleet? 

With over 38 years of experience delivering world-class liveaboard adventures, Explorer Ventures has earned a reputation for expertly crafted dive itineraries, exceptional value, and outstanding customer service. Our Maldives itineraries are thoughtfully designed to maximize pelagic encounters — including sharks, mantas, and whale sharks — while prioritizing guest experiences, reef health, diver safety, and environmental sustainability. 

When you choose Explorer Ventures, you’re choosing a company that leads with purpose — combining seamless logistics, personalized service, and a genuine commitment to marine conservation. From booking to your vacation’s final dive, we’re here to make every moment of your trip unforgettable. 

Book Your Trip Now 

Follow these links to our Maldives seasons & itineraries and learn more about Scuba diving in the Maldives. Scan our Fleet’s schedule to see our next Emperor Explorer availabilities and book your trip today. Experience the best of Maldives.