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Ari Atoll

Three sites in Ari Atoll. Maamigili Beyru and South Ari are known for whale sharks seen all year, and Maaya Thila is a night dive with sleeping turtles and whitetip reef sharks.

match

Strong fit for January

28°C+

Medium confidenceLiveaboard or day boat

Strength: Water 28°C in January
Strength: 3 of 3 sites are in season in January
Strength: Calm seas on most days
Trade-off: Rain on about half the days

Pack a 3 mm wetsuit for January.

Why this match: 38 + 27 + 20 + 9 = 94

Season38 / 40: 3 of 3 sites are in season in January; calm on most days.
Water27 / 27: Average 28°C; your minimum is 28°C. Pack a 3 mm wetsuit.
Your level20 / 20: No level picked, so all 3 sites count.
Weather9 / 13: Rain on about half the days; no real storm risk.

Compare with other places in January

Month by month

Season: best November to April.

Ari Atoll by month: season, marine life, water temperature, rain days and storm chance
Month	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Season	January: Best	February: Best	March: Best	April: Best	May: Good	June: Good	July: Good	August: Good	September: Good	October: Good	November: Best	December: Best
Mantas	January: Likely	February: Likely	March: Likely	April: Likely	May: Likely	June: Likely	July: Likely	August: Likely	September: Likely	October: Likely	November: Likely	December: Likely
Whale sharks	January: Likely	February: Likely	March: Likely	April: Likely	May: Likely	June: Likely	July: Likely	August: Likely	September: Likely	October: Likely	November: Likely	December: Likely
Hammerheads	January: Possible	February: Possible	March: Possible	April: Possible	May: Possible	June: Possible	July: Possible	August: Possible	September: Possible	October: Possible	November: Possible	December: Possible
Reef sharks	January: Reliable	February: Reliable	March: Reliable	April: Reliable	May: Reliable	June: Reliable	July: Reliable	August: Reliable	September: Reliable	October: Reliable	November: Reliable	December: Reliable
Turtles	January: Likely	February: Likely	March: Likely	April: Likely	May: Likely	June: Likely	July: Likely	August: Likely	September: Likely	October: Likely	November: Likely	December: Likely
Dolphins	January: Likely	February: Likely	March: Likely	April: Likely	May: Likely	June: Likely	July: Likely	August: Likely	September: Likely	October: Likely	November: Likely	December: Likely
Water	28°	28°	29°	30°	30°	29°	29°	29°	29°	29°	29°	28°
Rain days	14	9	11	19	25	18	19	18	21	24	23	22
Calm days	26	25	31	29	23	23	26	28	26	23	27	28
Storm risk	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

Storm risk: – means under 5%.

Dive sites here

3 sites on Divetip.

Getting there

Fly to Malé (MLE). Seaplane to South Ari, or a domestic flight to Maamigili and a speedboat: about 30 minutes.

Liveaboard or day boat.

What diving costs

No current published price for a day of diving

A day of diving

Kandolhu Island dive centre (North Ari): USD 425 for 3 dives (about €381)
Full-day Ari dive safari on the Ari Explorer yacht with lunch, min. 8 divers; non-divers $250. Subject to 10% service charge and 8% GST. Undated.
Older price list, not used to compare: Undated list that quotes 8% GST, so probably several years old.

Single dives and add-ons

Kandolhu Island dive centre (North Ari): USD 70 a dive (about €63)
Per single dive (6-9 dives $65, 10+ $60); includes 10 L tank and weights only. Boat fee extra: $15 single dive, $28 two-tank dive. Equipment $25 per dive. All subject to 10% service charge and 8% GST. Undated price list hosted by a UK tour operator.
Older price list, not used to compare: Undated list that quotes 8% GST, so probably several years old.

Prices checked 8 November 2026; park fees and equipment often extra.

Non-divers: snorkeling from the shore and by boat

Many Ari resorts have house reefs that suit snorkelers straight from the beach, and boat excursions in South Ari's marine protected area let snorkelers swim with whale sharks, which are seen all year and most often from August to November.

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