Raa Atoll (also known as North Maalhosmadulu) is located in the Northern Atolls of the Maldives. With quieter resorts than the south and stunning dive sites, it is becoming a popular dive destination. 

Raa Atoll diving has excellent reef diving with coral gardens located on underwater pinnacles with caverns, overhangs and swim through to keep everyone happy. For many, the highlight of diving in the Northern Atolls will be diving with manta rays. These gentle giants only put in an appearance for a few months a year but they are a bucket list dive for many. 
 

Raa Atoll is located in the north and as a result, is drier than many atolls in the south. It does still have a monsoon climate, with a dry season from December to May and the rainy season from June to November. 

The dry season offers stunning conditions for Raa Atoll diving. There is very little wind which means the oceans are glassy flat and the visibility is fantastic at 30m+. This is the busiest (and most expensive) time of the year.

During the rainy season, there are a few more days of rain per month. However, there is on average 7 hours of sunshine every day - more than enough to soak up the rays! There are definitely some benefits to rainy season as well. The windier weather brings in large plankton blooms which attract the holy grail of many divers - manta rays. These huge animals gather around cleaning stations, making for an impressive show. The plankton blooms reduce the visibility but the manta rays more than makeup for it. 

In June, the ocean is considered too choppy for boats to safely take out divers, which is something to bear in mind. For the rest of the monsoon season, you will enjoy reduced rates at many resorts due to there being less tourists. 

The temperatures year round remain perfect for warm water diving - the water temperatures are normally between a balmy 28 and 30oC. The air temperatures vary between 26 and 32oC, but bear in mind that the wind is stronger during the monsoon which may make the weather feel cooler. 
 

Raa Atoll diving is perfect for dive courses. There are many shallow sites, ideal for introductory and open watercourses. There are also deeper and more complex dive sites for experienced divers and advanced courses.

Many liveaboards operate in this area. There is a variety of prices and lengths of stay so there is something to suit everyone. Many liveaboards require a minimum number of dives or certification level so it is a good idea to check before booking. Many liveaboards offer night diving - the perfect opportunity to see the “sea of stars”. The bioluminescent plankton leads to unforgettable light shows in the dark water. 

The capital Ungoofaaru is the most populous island with the highest density of dive resorts. There are not as many as other, more populous areas of the Maldives but there are still plenty to choose from. When looking for a dive centre, it is important to check its proximity to your resort. The Raa Atoll is over 40 miles long, and not all islands have a dedicated dive centre. It could be an unpleasant surprise to realise that the dive centre you were planning on diving in is a 2 hour boat ride away!
 

Most reefs in Raa Atoll are on thilas (completely submerged pinnacles that boats can sail over) or giris (pinnacles which are above the surface or so close to the surface that boats cannot sail over them). They play host to an abundance of coral life - whips, gorgonian corals, giant fans, brains and basket coral all nestle beside one another. 

The coral is healthy, abundant and home to thousands of types of fish. Reef fish float in clouds over the corals - angelfish, surgeonfish, squirrelfish, parrotfish and countless others. There are also bigger fish like Napoleon wrasse, trevally and tuna which cut imposing figures against the blue. The majority of the dive sites also have turtles and sharks - a treat to see anywhere in the world. 

The macro life should be enough to keep all the photographers happy! On the sand and rocks within the reef, all manner of creatures can be found. Brightly coloured nudibranchs, glass shrimp and crustaceans like orangutan crabs are all common sights. If you’re lucky you may also spot a famous peacock mantis shrimp - whose eyes can see over a thousand more colours than we can. Its punch also carries the same force as a 22. Caliber bullet - so be careful of that camera lens!

For many, the ultimate sighting is that of a manta ray. These huge and peaceful creatures grace certain cleaning stations around the atoll during the monsoon months. They often come en mass as well which makes for a truly incredible sight. 
 

There are many dive sites in Raa Atoll, all of which offer something different. Fenfushi Giri is located in the south of the atoll. Ranging from 3-28m, it is suitable for all levels of divers. Not only does is feature huge overhangs, but you can see hundreds of types of coral and swarms of fish. The current can sometimes be significant here, so hang on with a reef hook and just watch the show all around you!

Reethi Thila is a submerged pinnacle that offer fantastic reef diving with caverns and overhangs to enjoy. Not only is it filled with the usual marine life, the sandy flats offer excellent macro hunting. Nudibranch, shrimp and camouflaged octopus will keep you occupied for hours. 

The Labyrinth is one of the atolls most famous dive sites. When one large rock broke apart it created a dive site full of tunnels and canyons, home to groupers and eels. Not only is the topography fascinating, but the friendly batfish and stunning coral gardens also make this one a must-see. Located between 15 and 28m, this will keep all divers happy!

Starting from 12m and descending to 25m, Anemone Thila is one of the prettiest dive sites in the atoll. Its macro life is the dream for photographers and the anemone gardens on the top feature hundreds of playful clownfish. 

While manta rays cannot be found at every dive site, certain places give you a better chance. Sola Corner, The Wall and Kottefaru Thila are all cleaning stations so give the best opportunity to spot these majestic beasts during the summer monsoon.