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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Ari Atoll location page.
Overview
Marine protected pinnacle in South Ari Atoll, gazetted in 1995. Top of the thila sits at 14 m and drops past 30 m, with two enormous overhangs on the east and west sides smothered in red and orange Dendronephthya soft corals, plus a swim through arch hung with sea fans. Five lined snapper and bluestripe snapper sit motionless in dense ledges while jacks, dogtooth tuna, and rainbow runners hunt the corners. Grey reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse work the deeper edges in current.
Briefing note
Marine protected area since 1995; collection of any marine life and anchoring on the thila are prohibited. Dive on incoming tide for best visibility and shark activity. Site is small and easily congested when multiple boats arrive together.
What you'll see
8 species curated- year-roundGrey reef shark
- year-roundNapoleon wrasse
- year-roundFive lined snapper
- year-roundDogtooth tuna
- year-roundBigeye trevally
- year-roundGreat barracuda
- year-roundHawksbill turtle
- seasonalEagle rayPeak: Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27–29 °C | 25–35 m | moderate |
| Feb | 28–30 °C | 25–35 m | moderate |
| Mar | 28–30 °C | 25–35 m | moderate |
| Apr | 28–30 °C | 20–30 m | moderate |
| May | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
| Jun | 27–29 °C | 10–20 m | moderate |
| Jul | 27–29 °C | 10–20 m | moderate |
| Aug | 27–29 °C | 10–20 m | moderate |
| Sep | 27–29 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
| Oct | 28–30 °C | 20–30 m | moderate |
| Nov | 28–30 °C | 25–35 m | moderate |
| Dec | 27–29 °C | 25–35 m | moderate |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Gear for this site
Beyond the basic kit- Reef hook — Currents sweep over the top of the thila and divers commonly hook in at the upstream edge to hold position while the action passes.
- Dive torch — The signature overhangs and arch are deep cuts in the reef that go dark fast; a torch reveals the soft coral colour and is needed for the swim through.
Next step
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