Baa Atoll
Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (Baa Atoll)
Eydhafushi
Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa Atoll is famed worldwide for Hanifaru Bay, where manta rays and whale sharks gather seasonally. Resorts like Soneva Fushi and Anantara Kihavah highlight its eco-luxury appeal. Locally, it’s a leader in marine conservation and sustainable tourism practices.
Islands of this Atoll
Aidhoo Caves Baa Atoll
Beginner–Intermediate
Glassfish & sweepers Soldierfish & squirrelfish Soft corals & sponges Hawksbill turtles (resting) Nurse shark (occasional) Moray eels Lionfish & scorpionfish Shrimps & lobsters Sweetlips Nudibranchs
Blue Hole Baa Atoll
Intermediate (overhead training recommended)
Blue‑hole glassfish clouds Soldierfish & squirrelfish Soft corals & sponges Hawksbill turtles Nurse shark (occasional) Moray eels Lionfish & scorpionfish Shrimps & lobsters Sweetlips Nudibranchs
Dhega Thila Baa Atoll
Advanced
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Dhonfanu Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Hanifaru Bay Baa Atoll
Beginner (snorkeling only)
Reef manta rays (cleaning/feeding) Whale shark (occasional) Mobula/eagle rays Grey reef sharks (perimeter) Green & hawksbill turtles Jacks/trevally Barracuda Tunas Fusiliers Napoleon wrasse
Kiha Kandu Baa Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Maavaru Beyru Baa Atoll
Beginner–Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish Moray eels
Milaidhoo Caves Baa Atoll
Beginner–Intermediate
Glassfish & sweepers Soldierfish & squirrelfish Soft corals & sponges Hawksbill turtles (resting) Nurse shark (occasional) Moray eels Lionfish & scorpionfish Shrimps & lobsters Sweetlips Nudibranchs
Muthaafushi Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate–Advanced
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Reethi Haa Baa Atoll
Beginner
Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish Moray eels
Veyofushee Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Aidhoo Corner Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Captain Morgan’s Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Dhigali Haa Baa Atoll
Intermediate–Advanced
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Fares Manta Point Baa Atoll
Intermediate–Advanced
Reef manta rays (cleaning/feeding) Whale shark (occasional) Mobula/eagle rays Grey reef sharks (perimeter) Green & hawksbill turtles Jacks/trevally Barracuda Tunas Fusiliers Napoleon wrasse
Jigi Faru Baa Atoll
Beginner–Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Kihaadhuffaru Rocks Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Overhangs & boulders with soft corals Grey & whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish
Maavaru Caves Baa Atoll
Beginner–Intermediate
Glassfish & sweepers Soldierfish & squirrelfish Soft corals & sponges Hawksbill turtles (resting) Nurse shark (occasional) Moray eels Lionfish & scorpionfish Shrimps & lobsters Sweetlips Nudibranchs
Miyaru Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate–Advanced
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Nelivaru Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Reef manta rays (seasonal cleaning) Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Nudibranchs
Thiladhoo Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
12 Degree Baa Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Barracuda Point Baa Atoll
Intermediate–Advanced
Barracuda (large schools) Giant trevally Dogtooth tuna Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Jacks/trevally Napoleon wrasse Turtles Fusiliers Batfish
Dharavandhoo Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Dhigu Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Fares Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Kamadhoo Corner Baa Atoll
Beginner–Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Legoland Baa Atoll
Beginner–Intermediate
Hard‑coral gardens Butterflyfish & angelfish Parrotfish & surgeonfish Anemonefish & damsels Blue‑spotted stingrays Hawksbill turtles Moorish idols Octopus & cuttlefish Moray eels Nudibranchs
Maavaru Thila Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Mutaafushi Reef Baa Atoll
Beginner–Intermediate
Hard‑coral gardens Butterflyfish & angelfish Parrotfish & surgeonfish Anemonefish & damsels Blue‑spotted stingrays Hawksbill turtles Moorish idols Octopus & cuttlefish Moray eels Nudibranchs
Olhugiri Kandu Baa Atoll
Advanced
Green turtles (abundant) Hawksbill turtles Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Schooling fusiliers Jacks/trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Batfish Moray eels
Vakkaru Corner Baa Atoll
Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish