Recognized as one of the best atolls in the Maldives for scuba diving, the Ari Atoll offers a lagoon with warm, crystal-clear waters, fine sandy beaches, and beautiful encounters on preserved coral reefs.
Composed of 82 islands stretching about 89 km from north to south, the Ari Atoll is renowned for the quality of its seabeds and the variety of marine life. The presence of coral reefs close to each island offers non-divers the opportunity to easily enjoy the underwater wildlife. Rays, sharks, turtles, huge schools of fish… In total, dozens of coral species and over 700 fish species await you on the Maldivian reefs.
Paradise of rays and turtles
Whether in the lagoon or on the reef, rays are omnipresent. The star of the Maldives remains the manta ray, which can notably be observed in all seasons at the numerous cleaning stations. Several species of sea turtles are also present in the archipelago, including the green turtle, the hawksbill turtle, and the rarer olive ridley turtle, which gave its name to the NGO Olive Ridley Project. This association saves dozens of turtles injured by abandoned nets each year.
Exceptional sites
The site of Maamigili Outside, in the southern part of the Ari Atoll, is frequented all year long by whale sharks, mostly juveniles. It’s the best place in the archipelago to observe them! Kuda Rah Thila, the first marine protected area in the Maldives, is one of the most exciting dive sites in the atoll. It houses a gigantic school of blue-stripe snappers, very often joined by large groupers, rays, and several species of sharks.
Staying there
Whether it’s the number of flights from France (including 3 direct weekly flights by Air France in winter) or the budget (starting at 1,600 € per week for a stay on an island), the Maldives offer a good escape-price ratio. The Ari Atoll includes 26 island hotels. There are options for all budgets and experiences, such as the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island with its underwater restaurant or the Lux South Ari Atoll, which organizes snorkeling trips with whale sharks all year round. From your hotel, don’t miss the chance to visit a deserted island as well as a village island, the unique opportunity to meet locals.
Practical
Time difference: +4 hours in winter, +3 hours in summer.
Currency: Rufiyaa (1 EUR = 16.4 MVR).
Formalities: valid passport, no visa required for stays of less than 30 days. A Covid-19 vaccination certificate of at least 14 days and a health form to be filled 48 hours before departure.
Best season to dive: during the dry season, from December to April.
Water temperature: 28°C.
Equipment: 3mm wetsuit.
Level: beginner to advanced.
Sandrine Leveugle-Souan
opening image © Sandrine Leveugle-Souan