Maaya Lagoon

Maaya Lagoon is a sheltered pinnacle site within the lagoon of North Ari Atoll, adjacent to the famous Maaya Thila, providing a calmer alternative with prolific reef fish, coral formations, and the possibility of nurse shark sightings in a more protected environment.

Overview

While Maaya Thila is one of the Maldives’ most renowned dive sites, Maaya Lagoon offers a complementary experience on the lagoon side — a pinnacle structure reaching to around 10–12 metres, surrounded by sandy lagoon floor at 30 metres. The protected setting means current is typically gentler than at the exposed thila, making this an accessible intermediate dive. Nurse sharks are regularly found resting on the sandy bottom and in the shaded undercuts of the structure, and eagle rays occasionally sweep through the lagoon. The coral formations host a colourful community of reef fish: anthias, butterflyfish, moorish idols, and schools of fusiliers are all typical sightings. The site is popular as a second dive pairing with Maaya Thila.

Site Information

• Location: Maldives, Asia
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Pinnacle/seamount
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 30 meters
• Typical Visibility: 15-25 meters (50-80 feet)
• Current: Light to moderate (sheltered lagoon setting)

Marine Life

Nurse sharks, eagle rays, anthias, butterflyfish, moorish idols, fusiliers, parrotfish, grouper, moray eels, and a diverse hard coral community on the pinnacle surfaces.

Diving Tips

• This site is commonly dived as a second dive after Maaya Thila — plan your air and bottom time accordingly.
• Look under the pinnacle overhangs and on the sandy floor for resting nurse sharks.
• The sheltered lagoon setting makes this suitable for photographers who want calmer conditions to work with macro subjects.
• Descend to 25–30 metres early to check the sandy bottom, then ascend slowly along the pinnacle sides.

Getting There

Maaya Lagoon is in North Ari Atoll, reached by seaplane (25 minutes) or speedboat (2 hours) from Malé. Most resorts and liveaboards in Ari Atoll include this site on multi-dive excursions.