Maldives

Huvafen Fushi - Dive Sites

Well known for having some of the best diving opportunities in the world, the Maldives is a paradise of the underwater environment. In a quiet location on the western side of the North Male Atoll, Huvafen Fushi sits alone in a diver’s paradise. In this secluded corner of the Atoll, divers are fortunate to have the dive sites pretty much to themselves. Between January and April, you can take a 30 minute boat ride to go and look for Mantas and if you are lucky, Whale sharks. There are many opportunities to go on a variety of different and wonderful dives during your stay, from seeing Mantas and Whale sharks (during the season of course), Eagle rays, Grey reef sharks and, of course, lots and lots of schooling fish. Not forgetting that both soft and hard corals can make for colourful and spectacular dives both day and night.

To wet your appetite, here is a list of a few of the dive sites accessible from Huvafen Fushi:

Nakatcha Thila:
Location: 10 minutes north of Huvafen Fushi.
Rating: Intermediate.
Description: Medium sized thila with big bright caves and magnificent overhangs.
Type of dive: Wall dive.
Depth range: 5 – 26 metres.
Marine life: Consisting of a series of beautiful overhangs and caves containing a large variety of soft corals and fan corals. Often Napoleon Wrasse and White tips can be seen here.


Boduhithi Thila:
Location: 30 minutes north of Huvafen Fushi.
Rating: Beginner to intermediate.
Description: Three bays in a long reef with fascinating overhangs and the possibility to see big fish.
Type of dive: Drift dive.
Depth range: 6 – 25 metres.
Marine life: From January to April, Mantas and Whale Sharks can be seen here.

Mas Thila:
Location: 10 minutes north of Huvafen Fushi.
Rating: Intermediate.
Description: ”Mas” is the Maldivian word for fish and when you see the quantity of fish life on this dive site, you will understand why it has been given this name.
Type of dive: Wall dive.
Depth range: 8 – 30 metres.
Marine life: Barracuda, Rainbow Runners and large Tuna can often be seen here along with schools of Banner fish, Fusilier and Snappers.

Rasfari:
Location: 15 minutes west of Huvafen Fushi.
Rating: Advanced.
Description: Outside of the Atoll with many large Pelagics often seen here.
Type of dive: Drift dive.
Depth range: 10 – 30 metres.
Marine life: Grey reef sharks, Eagle rays and schools of Big-eye jacks and Barracuda are often spotted.

Coral Garden:
Location: 5 minutes north of Huvafen Fushi.
Rating: Beginner.
Description: A pretty and enjoyable dive for all levels of divers.
Type of dive: Long reef.
Depth range: 5 – 20 metres.
Marine life: Turtles, Moray eels, Lobsters and lots of different schools of fish life can be seen here.

Kuda Haa:
Location: 50 minutes southeast of Huvafen Fushi.
Rating: Intermediate.
Description: Two thilas with many spectacular rock features covered with soft and stone corals, make this a beautiful underwater experience.
Type of dive: Can be difficult when strong currents are present.
Depth range: 6- 30 metres.
Marine life: Schooling Blue striped snappers and Fairy basslet along with Scorpion fish and a diversity of coral and fish life.

Rasfari Corner:
Location: 10 minutes west of Huvafen Fushi.
Rating: Intermediate.
Description: A very interesting dive as you move your way along the reef exploring the rocks and overhangs along the way.
Type of dive: Drift dive.
Depth range: 8 – 20 metres.
Marine life: Reef sharks are a predominant feature here along with the resident Turtles and Napoleons. Dolphins can often be seen on the surface here.

Okobe Thila:
Location: 50 minutes south of Huvafen Fushi.
Rating: Intermediate.
Description: One dive site consisting of three thilas making for an interesting navigational exercise.
Type of dive: An interesting thila dive with lots of variety.
Depth range: 10 – 25 metres.
Marine life: White tip reef sharks are common here along with schools of Barracuda, Trevally and old Dog-toothed tuna.


Images courtesy of Huvafen Fushi, Maldives