Maaya Thila

Maaya Thila is a coral-covered pinnacle and government-protected marine reserve in North Ari Atoll, featuring a reef top at about 6–8 m, steep walls dropping to a sandy bottom near 30–40 m, abundant hard and soft corals, gorgonian sea fans, large overhangs, a notable cave on the north side and a meter-wide swim-through on the south. The site is famous for frequent shark encounters (white-tip and grey reef sharks) and has resident hawksbill turtles, making it one of the most popular dive sites in Ari Atoll. Access is by boat and dives are commonly conducted as drift dives; divers typically descend the deepest side and circle the pinnacle with the current. Currents can be moderate to strong, especially through channels, and reef hooks may be used on heavy drift. Visibility is often good, about 15–30 m under calm conditions, and water temperatures are tropical, around 27–29 °C. Depths range from the reef top at 6–8 m down to roughly 30–40 m; night dives are popular for seeing hunting rays, eels and other nocturnal predators. Be cautious of hidden stonefish, scorpionfish and lionfish among the corals, and note the site is often more suitable for intermediate to advanced divers due to depth and currents.