Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll is located in the Southern Atolls of the Maldives. The coral reef barrier provides some protection from the ocean currents, providing diving options suitable for all qualification levels. The natural size of Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, also known as South Huvadhoo, provides a huge number of diverse dive sites. Some of the most famous ones are Vaadhoo Thila, which has many caves to explore, and Maarehaa Kandu which provides some excellent wall and drift diving. The wilder and more exposed south-west provides large pelagic life such as hammerheads and tiger sharks.  

Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll diving is available year-round, but the best diving conditions are from December to April. This is known as the dry season and has low winds, minimal rain and the most sunshine - all of which lead to warm, flat and clear ocean conditions, perfect for diving. 

The monsoon season runs from May to November and brings higher winds and more frequent downpours, though there is still plenty of sunshine. The winds mean that the sea is often rougher and this can mean that some dive boats do not operate around the month of June - be sure to check before you book! The winds also blow in plankton blooms - this reduces the visibility upon occasions but it draws in oceanic giants like manta rays and whale sharks.
 

The type of diving in Gaafu Dhaalu is diverse. Thilas offer sloping dives around submerged islands, many also have overhangs, swim-throughs and caves to explore. Wall dives offer gentle drift dives, where you can look into the blue for ocean giants. Kandus, or channels, offer more powerful drift dives for the more experienced. 

Gaafu Dhaalu is a relatively remote atoll, and there is not a huge amount of choice when it comes to dive resorts and dive centres, with only 1 dive school located inside a resort. If you wish to undertake dive courses on your holiday, this is basically the only option.

If you know you wish to dive a lot, a liveaboard might be your best option. They offer economical ways of getting in lots of dives and you can travel large distances while you sleep or chill out. The only caveat is that many have minimum requirements for certification or number of dives.
 

Gaafu Dhaalu is a deep atoll and as such has lots of large life. In addition to healthy reef life that contains an abundance of macro life, moray eels, parrotfish, triggerfish, damselfish and more, there are big fish to see on almost every dive. Schools of fish like bluefin trevally, jacks and snapper swim alongside turtles, eagle rays, stingrays, leopard sharks, grey reef sharks and even the occasional tiger shark or hammerhead. 

Vaadhoo Thila offers an excellent chance to see some stunning soft coral gardens. The healthy corals coat interesting structures like caves and overhangs in which you can hunt for macro beasties. There are lots of delicate sea fans and whip corals on the thila, which divers should be careful not to disturb with fins or hands. 

Maarehaa Kandu is most easily accessed by a liveaboard. It offers fantastic photo opportunities as a dive drifting alongside big fish like grey reef sharks, eagle rays and giant trevally as well as fantastic macro opportunities on the walls. Hawksbill turtles and whale sharks are also sighted here sometimes - so keep your eyes sharp!

Thinadhoo Thila is a thila 6 kilometres east of Thinadhoo Island. From 5 - 30 meters, this site has something for everyone. The walls are coated in corals all the way down, offering lots of reef life. This is often done as a drift dive and when the current is strong, a negative entry might be required. Whichever side is being hit by the current, is usually where the most fish can be seen. A highlight is the chance to see leopard sharks on the sandy 30 meter bottom.