Drop Dive, Rasdhoo Atoll

Whatever your level of experience, the scuba diving in Rasdhoo Atoll has something to tempt you. Shallow lagoons and gentle reefs provide some great sites for beginners, whilst exhilarating current-charged channels and dramatic landscapes will entice a more advanced diver. And, with the possibility of chance encounters with hammerhead sharks, reliable manta ray season and an unusually-large selection of weird and wonderful critters, Rasdhoo Atoll really is the complete diving experience.

Diving Rasdhoo Madivaru

This horse-shoe shaped ridge is patrolled by grey reef sharks, whitetip sharks and schools of eagle rays. Look over the ledge into the depths to see large sea fans and black coral clinging to the wall while thousands of anthias flutter around you. Returning to the shallows you will be greeted by schooling reef fish such as oriental sweetlips, fusiliers, goatfish, snappers and many more. Throw in the occasional spotted eagle ray or a school of large barracuda and you have all the ingredients for a near-perfect Maldivian dive experience. 

Between November and April, manta rays slip into the atoll through the northern channel in search of a particular coral bommie, known as Manta Block. Here these gentle giants hover over the reef waiting for small cleaner wrasse to pick parasites and detritus from their skin and gills. Simply sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Diving Rasdhoo’s Hammerhead Point

Hammerhead Point is located at the edge of the atoll, marked by steep walls plunging into the depths. Here, divers can head out into the blue at dawn in search of hammerhead sharks - although encounters are far from guaranteed. Back on the reef, the walls have caves that also provide plenty of interest and a search amongst the corals will turn up sleeping turtles, ghost pipefish, leaf scorpionfish, and frogfish. There are three wrecks that have become havens for life.