Gaafu Alif Atoll
Huvadhu Atholhu Uthuruburi (Gaafu Alifu Atoll)
Villingili
A diver’s dream, Gaafu Alif boasts extensive reef systems and high-end resorts like Park Hyatt Hadahaa. Internationally it’s valued for its biodiversity and privacy. Locally, it’s known for cultural pride, traditional crafts, and tight-knit island communities.
Islands of this Atoll
Dhaandhoo Kandu Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Falhumaafushi Corner Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Hadahaa House Reef Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Hard‑coral gardens Butterflyfish & angelfish Parrotfish & surgeonfish Anemonefish & damsels Blue‑spotted stingrays Hawksbill turtles Moorish idols Octopus & cuttlefish Moray eels Nudibranchs
Hafsa Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Kolamaafushi Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Kooddoo Kandu Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Maamendhoo Kandu Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Maamutaa Kandu Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Maarehaa Corner Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Mafzoo Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Nilandhoo Channel Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Vadhoo Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Dhigurah Channel Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Falhumaafushi Outside Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish Moray eels
Hadahaa Outside West Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish Moray eels
Hoadedhdhoo Outside Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish Moray eels
Kondey Kandu Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Kooddoo Outside Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish Moray eels
Maamendhoo Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Maamutaa Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Maarehaa Outside Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish Moray eels
Meradhoo Caves Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Glassfish & sweepers Soldierfish & squirrelfish Soft corals & sponges Hawksbill turtles (resting) Nurse shark (occasional) Moray eels Lionfish & scorpionfish Shrimps & lobsters Sweetlips Nudibranchs
Nilandhoo Kandu Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Villingili Corner Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Dhigurah Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Hadahaa Corner Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Hadahaa Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Kolamaafushi Corner Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Kondey Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Kuda Hafsa Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Maamutaa Caves Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Glassfish & sweepers Soldierfish & squirrelfish Soft corals & sponges Hawksbill turtles (resting) Nurse shark (occasional) Moray eels Lionfish & scorpionfish Shrimps & lobsters Sweetlips Nudibranchs
Maarehaa Channel Gaafu Alif Atoll
Advanced
Grey reef sharks Whitetip reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish
Mafzoo Giri Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs
Meradhoo Outside Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Grey reef sharks Eagle rays Dogtooth tuna Giant trevally Barracuda Napoleon wrasse Green & hawksbill turtles Snappers & fusiliers Batfish Moray eels
Nilandhoo Thila Gaafu Alif Atoll
Intermediate
Soft corals & anthias clouds Grey reef sharks (current side) Napoleon wrasse Hawksbill turtles Schooling jacks/trevally Barracuda Batfish Moray eels Leaf scorpionfish Nudibranchs