North Male Atoll

Manta activity in North Male is often tied to the northeast monsoon window. A practical planning target is Dec to Apr for sites like Lankan Manta Point and Bodu Hithi Manta Point, when conditions can bring mantas onto the stations. Outside that window, mantas can still appear, but sightings are more variable. Book manta dives early in your trip so your operator can shift days based on current and visibility.

Many reef and house-reef dives suit Open Water divers, but channel (kandu) dives and some corners are best for Advanced Open Water or equivalent experience. Currents can be strong and may require a negative entry, precise buoyancy, and comfort with drifting in blue water. Operators will also plan within the Maldives recreational limit of 30 m. If you are newly certified, start with protected reefs like Banana Reef before attempting faster drift sites.

If you do not have a managed house reef, book guided snorkeling so you get a briefing, a controlled entry, and boat cover. Avoid outer-reef edges and channel mouths when current is running, and use a float so boats can see you. Early morning often brings the calmest surface and best visibility, especially in Nov to Apr. If you are new to snorkeling, choose a sheltered lagoon session first, then graduate to shallow reef tops around 2 m to 5 m.

Expect national tourism taxes on top of your base rate, depending on what is included in the quoted price. Green Tax is charged per night and is commonly USD $12 per person per night for resorts and many tourist establishments, while hotels or guesthouses on inhabited islands with 50 rooms or fewer typically charge USD $6 per person per night. Tourism GST (TGST) is 17% on tourism goods and services. Ask your accommodation whether your package is tax-inclusive when comparing options.

North Male has access to hyperbaric treatment through facilities listed by the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, including Bandos Maldives (Kaafu Atoll) and ADK Hospital (Kaafu), among other locations in the country. In an emergency, your dive center will provide oxygen, contact medical services, and coordinate transport to the most appropriate chamber and hospital, often via Male. This is why dive accident insurance that covers chamber treatment and evacuation is essential, even for shallow reef dives.

Several North Male sites are designated protected areas, including Banana Reef and the Rasfari region. In practice, this means stricter conservation behavior: use mooring buoys, never anchor on reef, do not touch or collect anything, and keep excellent buoyancy to avoid fin damage. At manta cleaning stations, stay low, still, and spaced out so mantas can circle naturally. Your operator may also restrict gloves and emphasize reef-hook etiquette to minimize contact.

A simple plan is to front-load signature dives, then slow down. Day 1: easy reef and buoyancy check. Day 2: manta station if conditions allow. Day 3: channel drift for advanced divers while non-divers do a sandbank picnic. Day 4: wreck day at Maldives Victory Wreck plus a sunset dolphin cruise. Day 5: a Male half-day city walk and a relaxed house-reef snorkel. Build weather buffer in May to Oct and keep a rest day if you are diving multiple days.

For the best surf, plan May to Oct when southwest monsoon swell hits North Male breaks, with Thulusdhoo often used as a surf base. Schedule diving for mornings when wind is lower, then surf later if conditions cooperate, and avoid heavy exertion right after deep or current-heavy dives. If you are doing both daily, prioritize hydration, sleep, and conservative dive profiles within 30 m. On windy days, swap outer-reef dives for more sheltered reefs and keep your schedule flexible.