Hafsa Thila

Hafsa Thila is a submerged coral pinnacle in North Ari Atoll renowned among local dive guides for its exceptional shark and fish aggregations — reportedly one of the richest thilas in the atoll for shark diversity.

Overview

Rising from the lagoon floor to within a few metres of the surface, Hafsa Thila (thila meaning submerged pinnacle in Dhivehi) creates a current-swept underwater seamount that concentrates marine life in impressive numbers. The top of the thila sits at around 5–8 metres, where the coral is alive with anthias, chromis, and damselfish, while the flanks slope steeply to 32 metres. Grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks are the headline attraction — multiple sharks are routinely encountered circling the deeper portions of the pinnacle, with nurse sharks resting in crevices at the base. Eagle rays and Napoleon wrasse make regular appearances, and the schools of snapper, fusilier, and batfish that swirl around the pinnacle top create a cathedral-like scene in good visibility. The thila’s coral coverage is particularly noted for soft coral growth on the deeper flanks. Visibility averages 20–30 metres. Water temperature is 27–29°C.

Site Information

• Location: Maldives, Asia
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Depth: Up to 32m
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Site Type: Pinnacle/seamount

Marine Life

Grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, nurse sharks, eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, batfish, snapper schools, fusiliers, and rich soft coral growth on the pinnacle flanks.

Diving Conditions

Condition	Details
Visibility	20–30m
Current	Moderate (variable direction)
Water Temp	27–29°C
Best Season	December–April

Tips for Divers

Descend quickly to the deeper flanks where the sharks congregate before exploring the richly coral-encrusted summit. Currents can be variable around the pinnacle, so keep close to the structure to stay in control. A safety stop at 5 metres on the thila top provides excellent photo opportunities with the reef fish life above.

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