Azalea

This is a sample itinerary. Route and trip dates may be altered if approved by the vessel’s captain. Enquire to discuss your perfect charter.

North Male – South Male – Felidhe Atoll – Ari Atoll

Diving North Male’ Atoll: The sea bed east of Male atoll shelves steeply to 2000 meters and to the west less steeply to over 300 meters. The presence of deep, clear waters all around the atoll means excellent visibility, especially with ingoing currents. Pelagics such as barracuda, trevally and tuna, and big schools of fusilier, snapper, and sharks all congregate at the entrance to the channels, attracted by the movement of water and the food sources carried with them. Depths inside the atoll are generally 40 to 50 meters and the bottom is mostly sand. There are many shallow-water reefs inside the atoll and those just below the surface are clearly defined by sharp contrasts in watercolor. Most of the diving in North Male’ atoll is in the channels, or Kandus through the outer barrier reef of the atoll. There are around 20 channels on the eastern side and 16 on the west. Drift diving is the most common method of diving. The channels on the western side are generally wider, some with big Thilas across the openings. The greatest concentration of diving is in the southern end of the atoll where many of the resorts are located. This was the first area to be dived when resorts began springing up in 1972. Some of the finest sites are to be found here and although many of them have been heavily dived, in general, the sites remain in good condition.

Most divers tend to steer away from the populated island of Male because of the heavy boat traffic. The reefs in the north of North Male Atoll are less frequently dived than those to the south and with an absence of any island between Helengeli and Meerufenfushi – a distance of 20km – a sense of isolation and freedom make the dives in this north region even more memorable.

Diving South Male’ Atoll: North and South Male’ Atolls are separated by the Vaadhoo Kandu with a depth of 500 meters through which current streams can be very strong, attaining a rate of four knots or more. There are many popular dive sites with many spectacular dropoffs and caves along both sides of this channel. South Male’ Atoll has six channels on the eastern side, most of which provide excellent long drift dives, and 12 channels on the western side. There is one main channel – Velassaru Kandu – in the north and another – Hathikolhu Kandu – in the south. The eastern side of the atoll is characterized by two long reefs, the 14.5 km long Maadhoo Falhu and the 10.5 km long Fushidhiggaru Falhu, which is the most easterly point of the atoll. Depths inside the atoll are mostly between 35 and 45 meters.

Diving Felidhe Atoll: Felidhe Atoll is more isolated and less developed than the other tourist atolls. It has excellent scuba diving and snorkeling, remote uninhabited islands, sandbanks, and the islanders are friendly and hospitable. For these reasons, Felidhe Atoll is a popular destination for safari dhonis, and memorable trips and excellent diving is guaranteed. There are not many Thila dives in this atoll, with most of the diving being in the 26 channels on the eastern side. These channels are mostly long and deep and suitable for advanced divers. Many have narrow entrances and when traveling down the eastern side of the atoll they can easily be passed unnoticed.

On the outside of most of the channels, the reef plunges sharply to very deep depths, usually from the outside rim at around 35 meters. During the rock diving season of the north-east monsoon, the current flows inside the channels on the eastern side more often than it flows out, resulting in exhilarating, clear water diving, ideal for viewing sharks and pelagic fish. The channels on the western side, are not as exciting as those on the east, however with the current mainly flowing out of the atoll during the north-east monsoon, these locations have the advantage of attracting manta rays to feed on the zooplankton-rich waters. At the south end of the atoll near the island of Hingaahura is the remains of the Pioneer, which was wrecked on this reef on May 13, 1958. The ship was on her way from Colombo to Male’ when she ran aground.

Diving North Ari Atoll Atoll: Ari Atoll has depths of around 300 meters on the eastern side, while on the west depths drop quickly to over 2000 meters. Rasdhoo is connected to the northeast part of Ari by a submarine plateau with depths from 183 meters to 274 meters. Depths within Rasdhoo Atoll are to 35 meters while in Ari depths are mostly between 35 meters and 55 meters but reaching up to 80 meters in one part. Ari Atoll has no long stretch of the barrier reef and all faces of the encircling reef have many passages into the atoll, except the south face which has one break. The inside of the atoll is much encumbered with coral reefs, many of them dry at low tide, but the atoll has many Thilas, for which the atoll is famous.

Most of the Thilas have interesting coral reefs that appear naturally designed to protect the atoll from the fierce seas that prevail during the south-west monsoon. Heavy waves have pounded the west side breaking off chunks of coral rock and in some place, long channels more than a meter deep have been cut into the reefs. On the eastern side, the reefs are smaller with many more entrances, and as they do not get the heavy ocean swell of the western side, the corals tend to be more fragile.

Diving South Ari Atoll: South Ari Atoll has many excellent Thilas, both within the atoll and in the channels. There are also four wreck dives. One of the feature areas is the Dhigurashu Kandu, where the Thilas spring up from the outer rim of the atoll-like 10 pins in a bowling alley. There are around 12 Thilas in the 4.5 km wide channel of which only a handful are frequently dived. Some are quite deep and hard to find and the frequent swift currents and choppy seas can make diving conditions hazardous. Only experienced divers with knowledgeable boatmen should attempt the diving here at these times. The southern outside reef in the vicinity of Ariyadu Kandu has become famous for the regular all-year-round appearance of whale sharks. Mantas and sharks are also prevalent at many locations, with Madivaru being the most documented site for mantas.

The waters of the atolls are rich in plankton enabling a diverse and abundant marine ecosystem to thrive. The nutrient-rich water feeds colorful sponges and soft corals that cling to the rock sides. There are well-known cleaning stations where cleaner wrasse and shrimp service manta rays, and other large marine species.

Azalea Cruise will move through the atolls to the best dive sites en route. Upon your arrival, our dive team will brief you on the best possible route and dive sites taking into consideration the prevailing conditions. Dive sites are planned according to the current and best possible timings.

This is a sample itinerary. Route and trip dates may be altered if approved by the vessel’s captain. Enquire to discuss your perfect charter.

North Male – South Male – Felidhe Atoll – Ari Atoll

Diving North Male’ Atoll: The sea bed east of Male atoll shelves steeply to 2000 meters and to the west less steeply to over 300 meters. The presence of deep, clear waters all around the atoll means excellent visibility, especially with ingoing currents. Pelagics such as barracuda, trevally and tuna, and big schools of fusilier, snapper, and sharks all congregate at the entrance to the channels, attracted by the movement of water and the food sources carried with them. Depths inside the atoll are generally 40 to 50 meters and the bottom is mostly sand. There are many shallow-water reefs inside the atoll and those just below the surface are clearly defined by sharp contrasts in watercolor. Most of the diving in North Male’ atoll is in the channels, or Kandus through the outer barrier reef of the atoll. There are around 20 channels on the eastern side and 16 on the west. Drift diving is the most common method of diving. The channels on the western side are generally wider, some with big Thilas across the openings. The greatest concentration of diving is at the southern end of the atoll where many of the resorts are located. This was the first area to be dived when resorts began springing up in 1972. Some of the finest sites are to be found here and although many of them have been heavily dived, in general, the sites remain in good condition.

Most divers tend to steer away from the populated island of Male because of the heavy boat traffic. The reefs in the north of North Male Atoll are less frequently dived than those to the south and with an absence of any island between Helengeli and Meerufenfushi – a distance of 20km – a sense of isolation and freedom make the dives in this north region even more memorable.

Diving South Male’ Atoll: North and South Male’ Atolls are separated by the Vaadhoo Kandu with a depth of 500 meters through which current streams can be very strong, attaining a rate of four knots or more. There are many popular dive sites with many spectacular dropoffs and caves along both sides of this channel. South Male’ Atoll has six channels on the eastern side, most of which provide excellent long drift dives, and 12 channels on the western side. There is one main channel – Velassaru Kandu – in the north and another – Hathikolhu Kandu – in the south. The eastern side of the atoll is characterized by two long reefs, the 14.5 km long Maadhoo Falhu and the 10.5 km long Fushidhiggaru Falhu, which is the most easterly point of the atoll. Depths inside the atoll are mostly between 35 and 45 meters.

Diving Felidhe Atoll: Felidhe Atoll is more isolated and less developed than the other tourist atolls. It has excellent scuba diving and snorkeling, remote uninhabited islands, sandbanks, and the islanders are friendly and hospitable. For these reasons, Felidhe Atoll is a popular destination for safari dhonis and memorable trips and excellent diving is guaranteed. There are not many Thila dives in this atoll, with most of the diving being in the 26 channels on the eastern side. These channels are mostly long and deep and suitable for advanced divers. Many have narrow entrances and when traveling down the eastern side of the atoll they can easily be passed unnoticed.

On the outside of most of the channels, the reef plunges sharply to very deep depths, usually from the outside rim at around 35 meters. During the rock diving season of the north-east monsoon, the current flow inside the channels on the eastern side more often than it flows out, resulting in exhilarating, clear water diving, ideal for viewing sharks and pelagic fish. The channels on the western side, are not as exciting as those on the east, however with the current mainly flowing out of the atoll during the north-east monsoon, these locations have the advantage of attracting manta rays to feed on the zooplankton-rich waters. At the south end of the atoll near the island of Hingaahura is the remains of the Pioneer, which was wrecked on this reef on May 13, 1958. The ship was on her way from Colombo to Male’ when she ran aground.

Diving North Ari Atoll Atoll: Ari Atoll has depths of around 300 meters on the eastern side, while on the west depths drop quickly to over 2000 meters. Rasdhoo is connected to the northeast part of Ari by a submarine plateau with depths from 183 meters to 274 meters. Depths within Rasdhoo Atoll are to 35 meters while in Ari depths are mostly between 35 meters and 55 meters but reaching up to 80 meters in one part. Ari Atoll has no long stretch of the barrier reef and all faces of the encircling reef have many passages into the atoll, except the south face which has one break. The inside of the atoll is much encumbered with coral reefs, many of them dry at low tide, but the atoll has many Thilas, for which the atoll is famous.

Most of the Thilas have interesting coral reefs that appear naturally designed to protect the atoll from the fierce seas that prevail during the south-west monsoon. Heavy waves have pounded the west side breaking off chunks of coral rock and in some place, long channels more than a meter deep have been cut into the reefs. On the eastern side, the reefs are smaller with many more entrances, and as they do not get the heavy ocean swell of the western side, the corals tend to be more fragile.

Diving South Ari Atoll: South Ari Atoll has many excellent Thilas, both within the atoll and in the channels. There are also four wreck dives. One of the feature areas is the Dhigurashu Kandu, where the Thilas spring up from the outer rim of the atoll-like 10 pins in a bowling alley. There are around 12 Thilas in the 4.5 km wide channel of which only a handful are frequently dived. Some are quite deep and hard to find and the frequent swift currents and choppy seas can make diving conditions hazardous. Only experienced divers with knowledgeable boatmen should attempt the diving here at these times. The southern outside reef in the vicinity of Ariyadu Kandu has become famous for the regular all-year-round appearance of whale sharks. Mantas and sharks are also prevalent at many locations, with Madivaru being the most documented site for mantas.

The waters of the atolls are rich in plankton enabling a diverse and abundant marine ecosystem to thrive. The nutrient-rich water feeds colorful sponges and soft corals that cling to the rock sides. There are well-known cleaning stations where cleaner wrasse and shrimp service manta rays, and other large marine species.

Azalea Cruise will move through the atolls to the best dive sites en route. Upon your arrival, our dive team will brief you on the best possible route and dive sites taking into consideration the prevailing conditions. Dive sites are planned according to the current and best possible timings.

This is a sample itinerary. Route and trip dates may be altered if approved by the vessel’s captain. Enquire to discuss your perfect charter.

North Male – South Male – Felidhe Atoll – Ari Atoll

Diving North Male’ Atoll: The sea bed east of Male atoll shelves steeply to 2000 meters and to the west less steeply to over 300 meters. The presence of deep, clear waters all around the atoll means excellent visibility, especially with ongoing currents. Pelagics such as barracuda, trevally and tuna, and big schools of fusilier, snapper, and sharks all congregate at the entrance to the channels, attracted by the movement of water and the food sources carried with them. Depths inside the atoll are generally 40 to 50 meters and the bottom is mostly sand. There are many shallow-water reefs inside the atoll and those just below the surface are clearly defined by sharp contrasts in watercolor. Most of the diving in North Male’ atoll is in the channels, or Kandus through the outer barrier reef of the atoll. There are around 20 channels on the eastern side and 16 on the west. Drift diving is the most common method of diving. The channels on the western side are generally wider, some with big Thilas across the openings. The greatest concentration of diving is in the southern end of the atoll where many of the resorts are located. This was the first area to be dived when resorts began springing up in 1972. Some of the finest sites are to be found here and although many of them have been heavily dived, in general, the sites remain in good condition.

Most divers tend to steer away from the populated island of Male because of the heavy boat traffic. The reefs in the north of North Male Atoll are less frequently dived than those to the south and with an absence of any island between Helengeli and Meerufenfushi – a distance of 20km – a sense of isolation and freedom make the dives in this north region even more memorable.

Diving South Male’ Atoll: North and South Male Atolls are separated by the Vaadhoo Kandu with a depth of 500 meters through which current streams can be very strong, attaining a rate of four knots or more. There are many popular dive sites with many spectacular dropoffs and caves along both sides of this channel. South Male’ Atoll has six channels on the eastern side, most of which provide excellent long drift dives, and 12 channels on the western side. There is one main channel – Velassaru Kandu – in the north and another – Hathikolhu Kandu – in the south. The eastern side of the atoll is characterized by two long reefs, the 14.5 km long Maadhoo Falhu and the 10.5 km long Fushidhiggaru Falhu, which is the most easterly point of the atoll. Depths inside the atoll are mostly between 35 and 45 meters.

Diving Felidhe Atoll: Felidhe Atoll is more isolated and less developed than the other tourist atolls. It has excellent scuba diving and snorkeling, remote uninhabited islands, sandbanks, and the islanders are friendly and hospitable. For these reasons, Felidhe Atoll is a popular destination for safari dhonis, and memorable trips and excellent diving are guaranteed. There are not many Thila dives in this atoll, with most of the diving being in the 26 channels on the eastern side. These channels are mostly long and deep and suitable for advanced divers. Many have narrow entrances and when traveling down the eastern side of the atoll they can easily be passed unnoticed.

On the outside of most of the channels, the reef plunges sharply to very deep depths, usually from the outside rim at around 35 meters. During the rock diving season of the northeast monsoon, the current flows inside the channels on the eastern side more often than it flows out, resulting in exhilarating, clear water diving, ideal for viewing sharks and pelagic fish. The channels on the western side, are not as exciting as those on the east, however with the current mainly flowing out of the atoll during the northeast monsoon, these locations have the advantage of attracting manta rays to feed on the zooplankton-rich waters. At the south end of the atoll near the island of Hingaahura are the remains of the Pioneer, which was wrecked on this reef on May 13, 1958. The ship was on her way from Colombo to Male’ when she ran aground.

Diving North Ari Atoll Atoll: Ari Atoll has depths of around 300 meters on the eastern side, while on the west depths drop quickly to over 2000 meters. Rasdhoo is connected to the northeast part of Ari by a submarine plateau with depths from 183 meters to 274 meters. Depths within Rasdhoo Atoll are to 35 meters while in Ari depths are mostly between 35 meters and 55 meters but reaching up to 80 meters in one part. Ari Atoll has no long stretch of the barrier reef and all faces of the encircling reef have many passages into the atoll, except the south face which has one break. The inside of the atoll is much encumbered with coral reefs, many of them dry at low tide, but the atoll has many Thilas, for which the atoll is famous.

Most of the Thilas have interesting coral reefs that appear naturally designed to protect the atoll from the fierce seas that prevail during the southwest monsoon. Heavy waves have pounded the west side breaking off chunks of coral rock and in some places, long channels more than a meter deep have been cut into the reefs. On the eastern side, the reefs are smaller with many more entrances, and as they do not get the heavy ocean swell of the western side, the corals tend to be more fragile.

Diving South Ari Atoll: South Ari Atoll has many excellent Thilas, both within the atoll and in the channels. There are also four wreck dives. One of the feature areas is the Dhigurashu Kandu, where the Thilas spring up from the outer rim of the atoll-like 10 pins in a bowling alley. There are around 12 Thilas in the 4.5 km wide channel of which only a handful are frequently dived. Some are quite deep and hard to find and the frequent swift currents and choppy seas can make driving conditions hazardous. Only experienced divers with knowledgeable boatmen should attempt diving here at these times. The southern outside reef in the vicinity of Ariyadu Kandu has become famous for the regular all-year-round appearance of whale sharks. Mantas and sharks are also prevalent at many locations, with Madivaru being the most documented site for mantas.

Azalea Cruise will move through the atolls to the best dive sites en route. Upon your arrival, our dive team will brief you of the best possible route and dive sites taking into consideration the prevailing conditions. Dive sites are planned according to the current and best possible timings.

This is a sample itinerary. Route and trip dates may be altered if approved by the vessel’s captain. Enquire to discuss your perfect charter.

North Male – South Male – Felidhe Atoll – Ari Atoll

Diving North Male’ Atoll: The sea bed east of Male atoll shelves steeply to 2000 meters and to the west less steeply to over 300 meters. The presence of deep, clear waters all around the atoll means excellent visibility, especially with ingoing currents. Pelagics such as barracuda, trevally and tuna, and big schools of fusilier, snapper, and sharks all congregate at the entrance to the channels, attracted by the movement of water and the food sources carried with them. Depths inside the atoll are generally 40 to 50 meters and the bottom is mostly sand. There are many shallow-water reefs inside the atoll and those just below the surface are clearly defined by sharp contrasts in watercolor. Most of the diving in North Male’ atoll is in the channels, or Kandus through the outer barrier reef of the atoll. There are around 20 channels on the eastern side and 16 on the west. Drift diving is the most common method of diving. The channels on the western side are generally wider, some with big Thilas across the openings. The greatest concentration of diving is in the southern end of the atoll where many of the resorts are located. This was the first area to be dived when resorts began springing up in 1972. Some of the finest sites are to be found here and although many of them have been heavily dived, in general, the sites remain in good condition.

Most divers tend to steer away from the populated island of Male because of the heavy boat traffic. The reefs in the north of North Male Atoll are less frequently dived than those to the south and with an absence of any island between Helengeli and Meerufenfushi – a distance of 20km – a sense of isolation and freedom make the dives in this north region even more memorable.

Diving South Male’ Atoll: North and South Male’ Atolls are separated by the Vaadhoo Kandu with a depth of 500 meters through which current streams can be very strong, attaining a rate of four knots or more. There are many popular dive sites with many spectacular dropoffs and caves along both sides of this channel. South Male’ Atoll has six channels on the eastern side, most of which provide excellent long drift dives, and 12 channels on the western side. There is one main channel – Velassaru Kandu – in the north and another – Hathikolhu Kandu – in the south. The eastern side of the atoll is characterized by two long reefs, the 14.5 km long Maadhoo Falhu and the 10.5 km long Fushidhiggaru Falhu, which is the most easterly point of the atoll. Depths inside the atoll are mostly between 35 and 45 meters.

Diving Felidhe Atoll: Felidhe Atoll is more isolated and less developed than the other tourist atolls. It has excellent scuba diving and snorkeling, remote uninhabited islands, sandbanks, and the islanders are friendly and hospitable. For these reasons, Felidhe Atoll is a popular destination for safari dhonis, and memorable trips and excellent diving is guaranteed. There are not many Thila dives in this atoll, with most of the diving being in the 26 channels on the eastern side. These channels are mostly long and deep and suitable for advanced divers. Many have narrow entrances and when traveling down the eastern side of the atoll they can easily be passed unnoticed.

On the outside of most of the channels, the reef plunges sharply to very deep depths, usually from the outside rim at around 35 meters. During the rock diving season of the north-east monsoon, the current flows inside the channels on the eastern side more often than it flows out, resulting in exhilarating, clear water diving, ideal for viewing sharks and pelagic fish. The channels on the western side, are not as exciting as those on the east, however with the current mainly flowing out of the atoll during the north-east monsoon, these locations have the advantage of attracting manta rays to feed on the zooplankton-rich waters. At the south end of the atoll near the island of Hingaahura is the remains of the Pioneer, which was wrecked on this reef on May 13, 1958. The ship was on her way from Colombo to Male’ when she ran aground.

Diving North Ari Atoll Atoll: Ari Atoll has depths of around 300 meters on the eastern side, while on the west depths drop quickly to over 2000 meters. Rasdhoo is connected to the northeast part of Ari by a submarine plateau with depths from 183 meters to 274 meters. Depths within Rasdhoo Atoll are to 35 meters while in Ari depths are mostly between 35 meters and 55 meters but reaching up to 80 meters in one part. Ari Atoll has no long stretch of the barrier reef and all faces of the encircling reef have many passages into the atoll, except the south face which has one break. The inside of the atoll is much encumbered with coral reefs, many of them dry at low tide, but the atoll has many Thilas, for which the atoll is famous.

Most of the Thilas have interesting coral reefs that appear naturally designed to protect the atoll from the fierce seas that prevail during the south-west monsoon. Heavy waves have pounded the west side breaking off chunks of coral rock and in some place, long channels more than a meter deep have been cut into the reefs. On the eastern side, the reefs are smaller with many more entrances, and as they do not get the heavy ocean swell of the western side, the corals tend to be more fragile.

Diving South Ari Atoll: South Ari Atoll has many excellent Thilas, both within the atoll and in the channels. There are also four wreck dives. One of the feature areas is the Dhigurashu Kandu, where the Thilas spring up from the outer rim of the atoll-like 10 pins in a bowling alley. There are around 12 Thilas in the 4.5 km wide channel of which only a handful are frequently dived. Some are quite deep and hard to find and the frequent swift currents and choppy seas can make diving conditions hazardous. Only experienced divers with knowledgeable boatmen should attempt the diving here at these times. The southern outside reef in the vicinity of Ariyadu Kandu has become famous for the regular all-year-round appearance of whale sharks. Mantas and sharks are also prevalent at many locations, with Madivaru being the most documented site for mantas.

The waters of the atolls are rich in plankton enabling a diverse and abundant marine ecosystem to thrive. The nutrient-rich water feeds colorful sponges and soft corals that cling to the rock sides. There are well-known cleaning stations where cleaner wrasse and shrimp service manta rays, and other large marine species.

Azalea Cruise will move through the atolls to the best dive sites en route. Upon your arrival, our dive team will brief you on the best possible route and dive sites taking into consideration the prevailing conditions. Dive sites are planned according to the current and best possible timings.