Snorkeling Ari Atoll, Maldives | A Guide to the Best Spots

SnorkelingAri Atoll

Ari, with its thin ring-shaped atolls rising from the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean, is recognized as one of the best atolls in the Maldives for snorkeling. Most of the 82 islands composing Ari atoll offer shallow turquoise lagoons and dramatic coral walls, accessible only a few swim fins kicks from shore. Thousands of reef fish, sea turtles, clownfish in their anemone, reef sharks, spotted eagle rays and manta rays, and some of the most colorful angelfish species on earth are commonly sighted while snorkeling the atoll.

The Ari Atoll is a large oval lagoon scattered with islands and reefs, some 30 minutes by plane from Malé, the capital. Made up of 82 islands, only 36 of which are inhabited and 26 are “resort islands”, this is one of the biggest of the 22 atolls in the Maldives. The Ari atoll is the second most visited in the country, after the Malé atoll.

Along with the Baa Atoll, it is the most famous atoll in the Maldives for the quality of the sea bed and the variety of its underwater life. It is particularly renowned as the best place in the archipelago for seeing whale sharks.

Snorkeling Ari Atoll, Maldives — Maafushivaru is one of the 26 island-hotels located in Ari Atoll. Right: a hawksbill sea turtle spotted in Moofushi.

If you want to snorkel in the Ari Atoll, you will need to stay (for the day or longer) on one of the many islands (or resort islands) in the lagoon. Among the most renowned for snorkeling are Maafushivaru, Vilamendhoo, Bathala, Velidhu, Kandolhu, or Mirihi. The southern tip of Ari Atoll, known as Whale Shark Point, is one of the best spots to swim with whale sharks year-round (and with manta rays, in season).

Almost all the snorkeling spots in the Maldives are in the small atolls, often adjoining an island and always surrounded by a circular coral reef, with the outer slope the more interesting one to explore.

The coral, which rises to the surface of the water, literally “drops” towards the ocean depths in a wealth of colors and shapes. The outer slopes of the atolls are open onto the ocean and are a chance to see underwater life from the reef and the deep sea.

During your excursions, you will come across manta rays, blacktip reef sharks, clownfish in their anemones, angelfish, green sea turtles, and hawksbill sea turtles, and shoals of hundreds of surgeonfish… In all, 70 species of coral and over 700 species of fish await you in the Maldives reefs.

Snorkeling Velidhu Island's reef, Maldives — Diving in the Maldives blue waters remains a unique experience, just like here in Velidhu (on the left: spotted eagle ray, on the right: Indian Ocean oriental sweetlips).

When to go snorkeling the Ari Atoll?

In the Maldives, the year is divided into two seasons determined by the monsoons. The north-eastern monsoon, from December to April, corresponds to the dry season.

This is the best period for snorkeling because the sunshine is exceptional, but it also corresponds to the peak tourist season (high visitor numbers and high prices).

The south-western monsoon, from May to November, corresponds to the rainy season. Rains and storms are brief but intense and are sometimes accompanied by very strong winds.

All through the year, average temperatures vary between 79 and 93°F (26 and 34°C), with more heat in the dry season.

With a water temperature permanently around 82°F (28°C), the Maldives has ideal conditions for snorkeling all year-round.

JANUARY