Diving in Maldives

Hawksbill Turtle

Destination note

Most frequently sighted turtle species; present year-round on all reef and thila dives; nesting occurs on uninhabited islands throughout the archipelago

Green Sea Turtle

Destination note

Commonly sighted on house reefs and shallow seagrass areas; less frequent on deep thila dives than hawksbills; juvenile green turtles abundant in lagoon habitats

Spotted Eagle Ray

Destination note

Sightings most common in outer atoll channels and kandu dives; occasionally seen in small groups; peak sightings during calm northeast monsoon months

Loggerhead Turtle

Destination note

Less common than hawksbill and green turtles in the Maldives; most frequent sightings at deeper reefs and channel dives in southern atolls including Addu and Huvadhoo

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin

Destination note

Year-round resident; largest pods seen during calm Iruvai season (Dec-Apr)

Great Barracuda

General species description, not specific to this destination

The Great Barracuda is an impressive predator with a streamlined body and powerful jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. They can grow over 6 feet long and often hover motionless near the reef, curious about divers.

Grey Reef Shark

Destination note

The most commonly sighted shark in the Maldives; dozens per dive at channel and thila sites throughout all atolls; protected under shark sanctuary since 2010

clown triggerfish

Destination note

Sighted on outer reef slopes and coral-rich areas at depths of 5-40m; most reliable at deeper thila sites in Ari and Vaavu Atolls; solitary or in pairs

humphead wrasse

Destination note

Healthy population but not seen on every dive; most reliable at protected reef sites in South Malé, Ari, and Baa Atolls; larger individuals at deeper thilas

Whitetip Reef Shark

Destination note

Very common on night dives and reef dives with overhangs; resting individuals seen under coral ledges at Maaya Thila, Fish Head, and Banana Reef

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Destination note

Sightings concentrated at Fuvahmulah and Addu Atoll; more pelagic and less site-faithful than reef mantas; most common during southwest monsoon when plankton productivity is highest

Silvertip Shark

Destination note

Most commonly sighted at outer atoll sites and channel dives (kandus) in North Malé, Ari, and Vaavu Atolls; silvertips prefer deeper water and are more frequent on deeper thila and far-reef dives