South Malé Atoll
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Why dive in South Malé Atoll?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 5
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreen Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile distinguished by its heart-shaped carapace and a single pair of prefrontal scales.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGrey Reef Shark
Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos
The Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is a medium to large-sized requiem shark, common in Indo-Pacific coral reefs and adjacent waters. Characterized by its grey body and a distinctive broad black band on the trailing edge of its caudal fin, it is a fast and agile predator. These sharks are known for their social daytime aggregations, which disperse at night for individual hunting.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsOcellated Eagle Ray
Aetobatus ocellatus
The Ocellated Eagle Ray, also known as the Whitespotted Eagle Ray, is a large ray characterized by a dark greenish-grey to black dorsal surface covered with numerous white spots, and a white underside. It possesses a flattened, diamond-shaped body, a prominent snout, and a long, whip-like tail armed with venomous spines. This species primarily feeds on hard-shelled invertebrates, such as mollusks and crustaceans, which it crushes with its specialized dental plates.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsReef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsTawny Nurse Shark
Nebrius ferrugineus
The Tawny Nurse Shark is a large, slow-moving shark found in shallow coastal waters and coral reefs. It has a distinctive tawny color and is primarily nocturnal. It feeds on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, and is capable of resting motionless on the ocean floor.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 54
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Black DurgonMelichthys niger
Blacktip Reef SharkCarcharhinus melanopterus
Blue-barred ParrotfishScarus ghobban
Bluespotted CornetfishFistularia commersonii
Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatus
Blunt-head ParrotfishChlorurus microrhinos
Bullethead ParrotfishChlorurus sordidus
Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkii
Clown TriggerfishBalistoides conspicillum
Commerson's FrogfishAntennarius commerson
Cowtail StingrayPastinachus sephen
Dogtooth TunaGymnosarda unicolor
Ember ParrotfishScarus rubroviolaceus
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant TrevallyCaranx ignobilis
Great BarracudaSphyraena barracuda
Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricata
Honeycomb MorayGymnothorax favagineus
Humphead WrasseCheilinus undulatus
LionfishPterois spp.
Live SharksuckerEcheneis naucrates
Messmate pipefishCorythoichthys haematopterus
Moorish IdolZanclus cornutus
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Painted Spiny LobsterPanulirus versicolor
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Pharaoh CuttlefishSepia pharaonis
Picasso TriggerfishRhinecanthus aculeatus
Redtooth TriggerfishOdonus niger
Reticulate WhiprayHimantura uarnak
Round Ribbontail RayTaeniurops meyeni
Silver SweeperPempheris schwenkii
Silvertip SharkCarcharhinus albimarginatus
Snowflake MorayEchidna nebulosa
Spinetail Devil RayMobula mobular
Spinner DolphinStenella longirostris
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
StonefishSynanceia verrucosa
Teira BatfishPlatax teira
Tentacled FlatheadPapilloculiceps longiceps
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
White-spotted PufferfishArothron hispidus
Whitetip Reef SharkTriaenodon obesus
Yellow BoxfishOstracion cubicus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellowmargin TriggerfishPseudobalistes flavimarginatus
Yellowspot TrevallyCarangoides fulvoguttatus
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is South Malé Atoll
Indian Ocean · Maldives
Frequently asked questions about South Malé Atoll
When is the best time to dive in South Malé Atoll?
The best time to dive in South Malé Atoll is from December to April. In those months the water is between 27°C and 31°C.
What marine life can you see diving in South Malé Atoll?
Divers can encounter 59 species in South Malé Atoll. Highlights include Green Sea Turtle, Grey Reef Shark, Ocellated Eagle Ray, Reef Manta Ray, and Tawny Nurse Shark.
When can you see the Reef Manta Ray in South Malé Atoll?
The Reef Manta Ray is most often seen in South Malé Atoll from May to November.
When can you see the Green Sea Turtle in South Malé Atoll?
The Green Sea Turtle can be seen in South Malé Atoll all year round.
When can you see the Grey Reef Shark in South Malé Atoll?
The Grey Reef Shark can be seen in South Malé Atoll all year round.
What is the water temperature in South Malé Atoll?
Water temperature in South Malé Atoll ranges from 27°C in January to 31°C in April.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in South Malé Atoll?
Most divers wear a 3 mm wetsuit in January, when the water drops to 27°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in April, when it reaches 31°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in South Malé Atoll?
Visibility in South Malé Atoll ranges from 12 m to 40 m. The water is clearest from January to March.
What are the currents like in South Malé Atoll?
Divers in South Malé Atoll can expect moderate, very strong, strong, or light currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in South Malé Atoll?
After dark, South Malé Atoll reveals nocturnal species such as Tawny Nurse Shark, Giant Moray, Honeycomb Moray, Lionfish, Oriental Sweetlips, and Painted Spiny Lobster.
Where is South Malé Atoll located?
South Malé Atoll is a dive destination in Maldives, in the Indian Ocean.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for South Malé Atoll. Spotted something that looks off?
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