Maafushi Thila

Maafushi Thila is a submerged pinnacle (thila) in North Malé Atoll near the inhabited island of Maafushi, offering a classic Maldivian pinnacle dive with healthy coral growth, reef sharks, and a diverse fish community that has recovered well under protective measures.

Overview

Maafushi Thila rises from the sandy lagoon floor to a summit at around 8 metres, forming a broad, irregularly shaped plateau edged by coral walls that descend to 28 metres. The plateau is covered in an impressive mix of hard corals — staghorn, table, and brain corals — alongside branching sea fans that make excellent photography subjects. White-tip reef sharks are the signature sighting, typically resting on sandy ledges at 18–22 metres or circling the base of the pinnacle. Large napoleon wrasse often appear near the top of the structure, seemingly curious about divers. Schools of fusiliers and bannerfish work the water column above the pinnacle, while the deeper walls host glassfish clouds that explode when predators pass through.

Site Information

• Location: Maldives, Asia
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Pinnacle/seamount
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 28 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15-30 meters (50-100 feet)
• Current: Moderate, variable

Marine Life

White-tip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, schools of fusiliers, bannerfish, glassfish, eagle rays, grouper, sea fans, hard corals of multiple species, and moray eels in the reef crevices.

Diving Tips

• Descend directly to the deeper sandy ledges (20–25 metres) first to catch resting white-tips before they move off.
• Circle the pinnacle at mid-depth, then ascend gradually to enjoy the summit corals on the way up.
• The site is exposed to varying currents — check with your guide for the best entry timing.
• Maafushi is one of the Maldives’ budget dive hubs, with numerous operators offering trips from the island.

Getting There

Maafushi is accessible by public ferry from Malé (approximately 1 hour) or by speedboat (30 minutes). Maafushi Thila is a short boat ride from the island.