North of Male is Lhaviyani Atoll, also known as Faadhippolhu Atoll, the islands are about 30-40 minutes away by seaplane from Male. There are a total of 54 islands in the Atoll. Although tourism is a major source of income, their main income still comes from fishing. The center of Lhaviyani Atoll is Naifaru, with almost 5,000 inhabitants.
Explore diving in Lhaviyani Atoll
As with most of the Maldives – the variety of marine life in the Lhaviyani Atoll will keep you busy. On the outer reefs you can expect to see many different types of trigger fish, surgeon fish, fusilier and butterfly fish during your dive. Having a closer look to the reef will expose different species of moray eels hiding in little holes and if you are lucky you might even spot the most colourful peacock mantis shrimp on the hunt.
More experienced divers can head to Madivaru Kandu. As you drift from one corner of the channel to the other, look out for eagle rays passing above you like jets performing in an aerial display. Whitetip reef sharks may follow the channel’s edge, and schools of snappers and brightly colored triggerfish can be seen at the channel’s corners.
