North Male Atoll in the Maldives is incredibly beautiful, with its shimmering turquoise waters and white sandy islands. The diving here is hugely varied and a conveniently short hop from the main airport in Male. 

Due to the proximity with the capital, Male, there are plenty of options when scuba diving in North Male Atoll. Dive resorts and dive centers are plentiful on the inhabited islands and most offer dive courses of all levels. Liveaboards are a popular way to dive in the Maldives and most pass through North Male Atoll as they leave the capital. 

Local highlights include diving with manta rays and whale sharks and exploring fascinating dive sites which include caves, overhangs, drifts and even a wreck. 
 

Diving in North Male Atoll is possible year-round due to the fantastic weather and consistent air and water temperatures. From November to May, the weather is dry and calm and the visibility is excellent. 

The monsoon season is from May to November. You will see an increase in short, sharp rain showers along with increased wind. Though the wind can make the sea choppy and disrupt boat trips, it also draws in plankton which attracts big filter feeders like mantas and whale sharks. 
 

Due to its proximity to the capital of Male, you are spoilt for choice when scuba diving in North Male Atoll. Many liveaboards start their journey in the capital and visit these dive sites and there are numerous dive resorts nearby.

North Male Atoll diving offers much variety - you can find classic Maldivian thilas (or pinnacles) carpeted in coral, along with overhangs and walls which are great for exploring. There is even a manta cleaning station and a wreck to enjoy. 
 

The highlight of scuba diving in North Male Atoll is the coral reefs which are healthy, vibrant and teeming with life. A kaleidoscope of fish, like parrotfish and damselfish, hover above the sponges. Looking deeper within the reef will yield eels, cuttlefish, octopus and macro like nudibranch and pipefish. 

Of course, the main draw of North Male Atoll diving is the big pelagics. Reef sharks can be seen throughout whilst bigger species like hammerheads and nurse sharks can be seen (if you’re lucky!) at deeper sites. Manta rays and eagle rays are seen frequently at the cleaning stations, with the occasional whale shark during the monsoon. 
 

Helengeli Thila - Sloping from 10 to 35m, this site features drop-offs and overhangs. During the monsoon, you can find sharks and eagle rays. 

Victory Wreck - This 80m long wreck lies at 30m. Though the currents can be fierce, it is worth it to explore her coral-encrusted hull which is swarming with fish and macro life. 

Manta Point - This cleaning station is a beautiful reef year-round but during the monsoon, it swarms with manta rays. 

Banana Reef - This site features schooling bannerfish, enormous morays and several large caves to explore. 

Back Faru - This gentle drift sometimes yields encounters with hammerheads, eagle rays, turtles and schools of barracuda.