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Maayaa Thila *** (Protected Marine Area) If Fish Head is the Greay Reef Sharks capital of the Maldives, then Maayaa Thila is the White-Tip Reef shark capital. Although grey reef sharks are common here, the smaller white-tips are the centre of attention, with dozens of them circling the reef. Maayaa Thila is about 80 metres in diameter and can easily be circumnavigated in one dive - if the current is favourable - although it is not uncommon for divers to spend the entire dive in one area to digest the incredible diversity of marine life. The top strats at 6 metres and the reef edge drops from 12 metres to depths of 30 metres and more. Several coral outcrops on the north west and south sides. There are many caves and overhangs all around the thila. At a big cave on the north side are a feast of fish ranging from the white-tips (which usually frequent the side of the reef where the current is strongest), dog-toothed tuna and great barracuda to blue face angelfish, moorish idol, tallfin batfish, parrotfish, butteflyfish, clown triggerfish and lionfish. There are also other delights for the careful observer like stonefish and anglerfish. A big rock on the south side has a one metre wide swim-through at 19 metres. On the reef top are many fusilier and blue-striped snapper and a large turtle is a regular around the reef. This dive is a fish-watchers delight and the beautfiul soft coral and gogonians on the reef faces are a great attraction. Diving Hints: Diving boats usually tie a rope to the reef on the upcurrent side or at a permanent mooring on the reef top so a controlled descent during strong currents is possible. Divers should aim to return to their rope with plenty of air where the remaining time can be spent nearby on the reef top. Diving boats come and go so don't forget which rope belongs to your boat.
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