Maaya Thila.

Type

Thila (pinnacle)

Depth

6–30 m

Skill level

intermediate

Current

variable

Best season

Dec–Apr viz; night dives on slack current

Protected

Protected Marine Reserve

Maaya Thila is a circular pinnacle in North Ari Atoll, a Marine Protected Area roughly 80 m across rising from about 30 m to within 6 m of the surface, ringed by overhangs and coral caves. It is famous as a night dive for hunting whitetip reef sharks, with grey reef sharks, moray eels, stingrays, frogfish and dense reef fish by day. Currents vary and the site suits intermediate-to-advanced divers; the central Maldives diving season runs roughly January to April.