Top dive sites in Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll is a totally different atoll compare with the most other atolls you can find in the Maldives. It's almost closed in by the surrounding islands and their reefs. Addu has only four channels where the water passes through and because of those surrounding reefs, we can dive in most weather because we are well protected from high waves.
Addu Atoll has still reefs with the best hard corals you can find in the Maldives but the El Nino (coral bleaching) in 2016 made huge damage between the three and 12 metres on the outside reefs. Addu is famous because its Manta Cleaning Station and Sharkpoint. As far we know, it's the only Manta Point in the Maldives where we can see reef manta rays 12 months of the year.
Within just 10 minutes by boat, we have the biggest wreck in the Maldives. "The British Loyalty" is a second world war wreck with a length of 140 metres at 31 metres deep. This wreck can be dived by all level of divers and is inside the atoll without any currents.
We have around 20 dives sites, for novice and experienced divers, depths are between the five and 30 metres, depending on the diver experience. Depending on the weather, currents and the level of our guests will depend on where we go diving. We can dive in smaller or different groups so that all feel comfortable during their dives.
Diving at Addu can be extremely exciting. Due to the strong current in the channels, there is a great chance to encounter "the big stuff", like Manta Rays, Gray Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Dogtooth Tunas. At our outside reef after 45 minutes by boat you can dive at "Sharkpoint" there you can encounter Tiger, Grayreef and Silvertips sharks and at the top reefs, we can dive with turtles, napoleons, white and blacktip sharks and all common reef fish.
If you are flexible with your travel dates, then I do advise you to come to Addu during full or new moon, when we have stronger currents which will bring more big fish.
Remember, you can see anything in the Maldives deep blue but it's not an aquarium. We need the right current, at the right time and with a little luck with the right guides – those who know the sites exactly …
We know,
Your Aquaventure Team