Vilamendhoo Thila * * * On the outside of Vilamendhoo is a narrow thila running north - south that rtises to 6 metres in the centre and gradually drops to around 25 metres at either end. On the west side is a steep dropoff with caves from 10 to 25 metres. There are many large seafans here, good hard and soft coral and plenty of fish life. The outside or east side of the thila slopes more gradually to 25 metres. At the northern end is a big rock and cave at 25 metres. There is a good coral on the reef top and mantas are often seen in this area.
Viligilivaru Thila * * * In dhangethi Kandu is a 500 metre long thila that runs east - west. At the eastern, or outside end, the thila swing north for another 250 metres. The thila rises to 6 metres and the sourrounding depths on the sandy channel floor are around 20 metres. There are a number of caves and coral rocks on the south west side at 10 to 15 metres and although the rock formation here is not spectacular, there is a good variety of fish life.
Dhigurashu Thilas One of the most exceptional diving areas in Ari Atoll is in Dhigurashu Kandu, where the thilas spring up from the bottom on the outer rim of the Atoll like 10 pins in a bowling alley. There are around 12 thilas of which only a handful are freequently dived by neighbouring resorts. Locating the thilas in the 4.5 km wide channel tests the skill of the boatman as some cannot be seen from the surface. The wide channel, and the frequent swift currents and choppy seas can make diving condition hazardous and only experienced divers with knowledgeable boatmen should attempt the diving here.
Kudadhoo Beyru * * Both Kudadhoo point and Kudadhoo Beyru are worth diving. The outside reef is leisurely drift dive where the reef slopes gently from 5 to 20 metres. The reef then drops steeply to greater depths. Grouper, Sharks and Naopleons are features long this reef.
Dhidhdhoo Beyru Faru * * About 1.5km east of Kudadhoo Beyru, the outside reef has very good fish life. But it is better known for it's whale sharks, which visit here more often than any other site in the Atoll. Between the months of May and November the whale sharks and mantas continouly return to this outside reef to feed and can often be seen on a daily basis. A mother and calf have been regularly sited here as well as whale sharks travelling alone.
Ariyadhoo * * * The western side of the island has good long reef sloping to 30 metres with caves at either end. The eastern side wall is more steep. |
