Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Jan–Apr · Moderate current · 27.5–31°C (coldest Dec, warmest Mar)
- Current
- Moderate
- Water temperature
- 27.5–31°C (coldest Dec, warmest Mar)
- Visibility
- 10–30m: Outer reefs can reach about 30m in settled conditions.
- Experience
- Lagoon reefs and selected outer walls can suit Open Water divers when conditions are mild.
01 · Marine life
What you may see
Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Humphead wrasse are reported on Addu's reefs, but are not a reliable target on every itinerary.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Maa Kandu operators report reef mantas at the cleaning station through both monsoons.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Reported at current-facing channels, especially Kuda Kandu and Maa Kandu.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Hawksbills are reported on coral reefs around the atoll.
02 · Dive sites
Dive sites worth knowing
A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.
British Loyalty
A sheltered lagoon wreck with a deep lower profile.
15–33m · Mild current
Gan Kandu
A current-led channel rather than a fixed route.
8–30m · Strong current
Kottey Outside
An outer-wall dive that can be gentle in settled water.
5–30m · Moderate current
See all 6 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsEasy. Fly to GAN. Typical trip $–$$$.
Route overview
Easy
Day trips from a coastal base, about 0.5h from the airport.
Airport options
GAN
Gan International Airport
Airport within Addu Atoll; direct international service is limited and schedule-dependent, while domestic connections from Malé are the usual fallback
MLE
Velana International Airport (Malé)
Main international hub; connect by domestic flight to Gan
Typical trip cost
$–$$$
under $2,000 to over $4,000
Per person, excluding international flights.
- Land-based guesthouse packages can fit below $2,000 for a week before international flights.
- Deep-south liveaboards and high-end resorts commonly move the total into the $2,000–4,000 or above-$4,000 tiers.
Permit or park fee
What you pay
Regulation 2018/R-105 provides access-permit and activity fees for Addu Nature Park protected areas, but a current public scuba rate for Manta Point or British Loyalty was not independently verified. Fees can be changed by the Fund Board
confirm the amount with Addu Nature Park or the operator.
How it works
Manta Point/Kandihera Maa Kandu and British Loyalty are governed by the Addu Nature Park protected-area regulation, which provides access permits and activity fees and requires protected-area diving tours to use approved marine guides. Confirm the currently applied permit and fee with Addu Nature Park or a licensed operator. Maldives recreational diving is capped at 30m.