Grey reef, leopard and guitar sharks, rays, barracuda, jack fish, eagle rays and sting rays
TIME FROM OMADHOO:
35 minutes
ABOUT:
Dozens of sharks, rays, schools of barracuda and jacks help make Orimas Thila a fantastic big fish dive. Acting as a nursery and cleaning station for grey reef sharks, this underwater mound will often attract these fish in large numbers that take advantage of the ocean currents and warm waters. Other species of sharks such as leopard and guitar sharks are also commonly seen on the thila, where eagle rays and sting rays also are frequently found. With the site doubling as a nursery, many of the sharks seen are juveniles protected by a small number of often very large females. Orimas is a big hit with rebreather divers who find the sharks come VERY close when the bubbles stop flowing.
5-7m top reef, dropping down to 30m and beyond, maximum dive depth 30m
EXPECT TO SEE:
Moray eels, lion fish and nudibranches, eagle rays, mobula mantas and whale sharks
ABOUT:
Maamigili Beru is an outer reef on the southern tip of the Ari Atoll and can be dived regardless of the current conditions. The top reef starts at 7 metres and is dominated by hard coral formations. Expect to see many different types of moray eels, lion fish and nudibranches. Eagle rays and mobula mantas are also common here. During the right time of the year, whale sharks can also be seen cruising along the reef.
5m top reef, sloping to 30m and beyond, maximum dive depth 30m
EXPECT TO SEE:
Napoleon wrasse, green turtles, white tip reef sharks and whale sharks
ABOUT:
The Maamigili channel leads onto the largest outreef in the Ari Atoll, which is home to big schools of fish, napoleons, big green turtles and white tip reef sharks. But Maamigili gained its reputation as being one of the best dive sites in the Maldives due to the frequent whale shark encounters (depending on the season). The whole outreef has recently been made into a Marine Protected Area in order to help preserve and protect the current whale shark population which is resident to Maldivian waters.
Long-nose hawkfish, napoleon wrasse, barracuda, eagle rays and white tip reef sharks, large schools of bannerfish, snappers and fusiliers
TIME FROM Omadhoo:
3 minutes
ABOUT:
One of our most northerly dive sites lies in the Omadhoo channel, two thilas meet, to give it the nickname of the “Big Valley”. In the area between the thilas large coral blocks form an interesting landscape. With numerous overhangs along the reef there are many colourful hard and soft corals, as well as the infamous long-nose hawkfish hiding in the black corals. Looking out into the blue, divers can often see napoleon wrasse, barracuda, eagle rays and white tip reef sharks. Large schools of bannerfish, snappers and fusiliers are found swarming above the reef top. Omadhoo is widely regarded as one of the true highlights of South Ari Atoll.
Gorgonian fan corals, whip corals, daisy corals, octopus, turtles, oriental sweetlips, schools of snappers, scorpion fish and white tip reef sharks
ABOUT:
Thinefushi Etere Thila is a medium sized reef with big overhangs at either end of the formation. The top reef starts at eight metres giving way to overhangs starting at 20 metres. Beautiful corals formations fill these overhangs, with gorgonian fan corals, whip corals and daisy corals all growing in huge numbers. A sandy alley separates four blocks from the main reef, and these blocks are abundantly overgrown with soft corals. Octopus, turtles, oriental sweetlips, schools of snappers, scorpion fish and white tip reef sharks can also be found on this beautiful dive site.
10m top reef, descending to 30m and beyond, maximum dive depth 30m
EXPECT TO SEE:
Schooling fish and larger pelagic fish
ABOUT:
Thinefushi Beru Thila dive site is a large reef stretching across a channel close to the edge of the atoll. The long reef that starts at 10 metres is interrupted by two bridges that reach down to 18 metres where schools of fish congregate around the large coral blocks. Due to its location closer to the channel entrance you can expect to see some of the larger pelagic fish.
