Maalhos Thila

Maalhos Thila

Maalhos Thila is a celebrated submerged pinnacle in Ari Atoll, renowned among experienced divers for its extraordinary soft coral display — a riot of blue and purple sea fans and whip corals — combined with reliable shark and ray encounters that make it one of the most photogenic thilas in the atoll.

Overview

Rising from around 30 metres to a summit plateau at 8–10 metres, Maalhos Thila’s sides are draped in spectacular blue and purple soft corals, sea fans of exceptional size, and encrusting sponges that burst with colour in torch-light. The current that sweeps the pinnacle feeds these organisms and also draws in the predators: grey reef sharks and white-tip reef sharks circle the structure with regularity, and eagle rays glide past the deeper walls. Schools of fish — particularly parrotfish, snapper, and fusiliers — hover in dense clouds above the pinnacle. The site sits within easy reach of the island of Maalhos in North Ari Atoll and is regularly dived by liveaboards transiting the atoll.

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 to strong

Marine Life

Grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, blue and purple soft corals, large sea fans, schools of parrotfish, fusiliers and snappers, grouper, napoleon wrasse, and anthias on the deeper walls.

Diving Tips

• A wide-angle lens captures the pinnacle’s dramatic soft coral backdrops with reef sharks in frame.
• Plan the dive to spend maximum bottom time at 15–25 metres where the soft coral display is most impressive.
• Current concentrates the sharks on the upcurrent face — position yourself there early in the dive.
• Allow ample time for a safety stop at the colourful summit plateau.

Getting There

Maalhos Thila is accessed by boat from resorts in North Ari Atoll or by liveaboard operating in Ari Atoll. Nearest resort access is from Maalhos Island area. Ari Atoll is reached by seaplane (25 minutes) or speedboat (2 hours) from Malé.