Ari Atoll
Maldives · Indian Ocean
Ari is the Maldives' classic dive atoll — long unbroken reefs (thilas) rising from deep blue, manta cleaning stations on the eastern side, and one of the world's most reliable whale shark zones along the south. The diving is mostly relaxed wall and pinnacle work with the occasional ripping channel.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Manta and whale shark encounters at Ari are still the main draw and are not coral dependent. Hard coral has thinned noticeably since 2014. If you've been waiting on Maldives, this is the year — not later.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
No unusual heat right now.
Fishing
Some fishing is allowed here, in marked zones.
Sources · MERMAID and partner coral surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
What you will see
31 species across the dive sites here
Grey reef shark
Seen 7 days ago
at Manta Point (Madivaru)
Endangered
Giant Moray
Seen 1 month ago
at Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Least concern
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Maaya Thila
Critically endangered
Reef manta ray
Seen 1 month ago
at Manta Point (Madivaru)
Vulnerable
Blackfin Anemonefish
Seen 1 month ago
at Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Least concern
Clark'S Anemonefish
Seen 1 month ago
at Maaya Thila
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Manta Point (Madivaru)
Critically endangered
Napoleon wrasse
Seen 1 month ago
at Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Endangered
White-tip reef shark
Seen 2 months ago
at Maaya Thila
Vulnerable
Whitetip Reef Shark
Seen 2 months ago
at Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Vulnerable
Oriental Sweetlips
Seen 2 months ago
at Manta Point (Madivaru)
Least concern
Tiger shark
Seen 2 months ago
at Tiger Harbour (Fuvahmulah)
Near threatened
Whale shark
Seen 2 months ago
at Maamigili Beyru (Whale Shark Point)
Endangered
Redlip Parrotfish
Seen 3 months ago
at Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Least concern
Silvertip shark
Seen 3 months ago
at Tiger Harbour (Fuvahmulah)
Vulnerable
Blacktip reef shark
Seen 4 months ago
at Maamigili Beyru (Whale Shark Point)
Vulnerable
Bigeye trevally
Seen 4 months ago
at Kudarah Thila
Least concern
Stingray
Seen 6 months ago
at Maaya Thila
Oceanic manta ray
Seen May 2025
at Tiger Harbour (Fuvahmulah)
Endangered
Pelagic thresher shark
Seen Apr 2024
at Tiger Harbour (Fuvahmulah)
Endangered
Great barracuda
Seen Mar 2024
at Kudarah Thila
Least concern
Dogtooth tuna
Seen year round
at Kudarah Thila
Five lined snapper
Seen year round
at Kudarah Thila
Least concern
Free-swimming moray
Seen year round
at Maaya Thila
Hunting octopus
Seen year round
at Maaya Thila
Schooling barracuda
Seen year round
at Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Least concern
Eagle ray
Seasonal visitor
at Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
Endangered
Mobula ray
Seasonal visitor
at Maamigili Beyru (Whale Shark Point)
Scalloped hammerhead
Seasonal visitor
at Tiger Harbour (Fuvahmulah)
Critically endangered
Yellowfin tuna
Seasonal visitor
at Maamigili Beyru (Whale Shark Point)
Least concern
Oceanic sunfish (mola)
Rare sighting
at Tiger Harbour (Fuvahmulah)
Dive sites
Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila)
grey reef shark · schooling barracuda · napoleon wrasse · eagle ray
Maaya Thila
white-tip reef shark · hunting octopus · free-swimming moray · stingray
Manta Point (Madivaru)
reef manta ray · whale shark · grey reef shark · hawksbill turtle
Maamigili Beyru (Whale Shark Point)
whale shark · reef manta ray · mobula ray · eagle ray
Tiger Harbour (Fuvahmulah)
tiger shark · pelagic thresher shark · scalloped hammerhead · oceanic manta ray
Kudarah Thila
grey reef shark · napoleon wrasse · five lined snapper · dogtooth tuna
What divers say
I've snorkeled with whale sharks in three oceans and South Ari is still where I send first timers — the odds are just better.
Good to know
Alcohol rules
The Maldives is a Muslim country — alcohol is only available on resort islands and liveaboards. Local islands are dry.
Green tax
$6/day per guest, collected by your accommodation.