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Alifu
Atoll - Ari Atoll
Ari Atoll situated to the west of Male' Atoll is a fascinating atoll.
Formed of three natural atolls comprising of the main Ari Atoll proper,
Rasdhoo Atoll and Thoddoo to the north. Thoddoo is a tiny atoll just two
kilometres in diameter, with just the island of Thoddoo on it. Rasdhoo
Atoll is a little bigger. While the northern part of Ari Atoll has fewer
islands, in the south are many large islands with dense vegetation. However,
the whole atoll is dotted with exciting dive sites.
'Madivaru
Kandu' in Rasdhoo Atoll is one not to be missed. The site is famous for
its hammerhead sharks. 'Ukulhas Thila' at the northern tip of Ari Atoll
is a cleaning station for mantas. You will see the graceful creatures
hovering close by, patiently waiting their turn. Then there is 'Maaya
Thila', four kilometres north of the island resort of Maayafushi, 'Maaya
Thila' offers one of the best dives in the Maldives. A protected site,
a thila, which is about 80 meteres in diameter, with depths ranging from
six to 30 metres, 'Maaya Thila' has abundant fish life and intricate coral
growth - a thrilling dive with sharks everywhere. To the south is the
'Kuda Rah Thila'- extremely rich with marine life due to the ever-present
currrents that carry in nourishment for large tunas, schools of jacks,
humphead wrasses and eagle rays. 'Shark Thila', also in the south, is
made famous by the large number of grey reef sharks, resident in the thila.
Ari Atoll is comprised of about 70 islands, 27 of which are resort islands and 17 are inhabited island villages. There will be many opportunities for you to visit fishing villages and resorts, enjoy the peace and solitude of the beaches of desert islands and romantic firelight barbecues on the beaches.