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Colorful school of fish swimming over a coral reef, captured by a diver photographing vibrant underwater wildlife.
📷 Graham Henderson · Pexels

Fish Bank

3.5 — based on 13 community signals
4.2 12 species 23 contributors

Fish Bank is a year-round dive destination in the Maldives' Alif Dhaal Atoll, known for abundant marine life and accessible conditions for divers of various levels.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers chasing chasing pelagics.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
Water temp
26–31°C
Pelagic hotspotBleachingRiskPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Water temp
26–31 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Blacktip reef shark, Common octopus

Top operators here

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Map

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Fish Bank location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
11.8 kn
Wave
0.98 m
Water
29.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WSW (56%)
Now: WSW (239°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.63m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.55m), Low 10:00 (+0.38m)

+0.8 m+0.1 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.55m ▼ 10:00 · +0.38m ▲ 15:00 · +0.51m ▼ 22:00 · +0.12m Now +0.5m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9.25 · very high Air PM2.54 · good 05:58 18:05
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 13.2 0.98 9 0mm
09-20 14 0.92 9 8mm
09-21 14 0.88 9 1mm
09-22 13.3 0.82 9 2mm
09-23 13.3 0.82 8 3mm
09-24 16.6 0.98 9 11mm
09-25 13.1 0.9 9 9mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 2.2°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (26–31°C)

About this spot

Fish Bank sits in Alif Dhaal Atoll, one of the Maldives' premier diving regions. The site draws divers seeking healthy reef ecosystems and reliable encounters with reef fish, sharks, and pelagics. Being outside a marine protected area, the spot operates under standard Maldivian diving regulations and remains accessible to independent operators and resort-based dive centers. The Maldives' year-round warm water and consistent monsoon-driven currents make Fish Bank viable across all seasons, though conditions shift with regional weather patterns. Community observations document 12 recorded species at the site, providing a solid baseline for trip planning. Local dive operators familiar with Alif Dhaal currents and topography will offer the best briefings on what to expect. Coral bleaching monitoring is active in this region. Like many Maldivian reefs, Fish Bank faces periodic stress from warming waters. Checking current reports before booking helps set realistic expectations for coral condition on your dive dates. The site supports three documented community videos—a useful resource for understanding the terrain and marine activity firsthand.

📖 Guide: Diving in the Maldives: 156 Sites, Mantas & What to Know

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Blacktip reef sharkCommon octopus

Dive types

ReefPelagic / blue water

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🤿 Pack: rashguard / 1mm shorty
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type D/G/J/K/L · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 49%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit rashguard / 1mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8556km · ~1968kg · €35

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 10h east · 7 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Fish Bank?

Fish Bank is diveable year-round. The Maldives stays warm throughout the year, though monsoon patterns (roughly May–October and November–April) shift surface conditions and currents. Check local dive center reports for the specific month you're planning to visit.

What depth and difficulty is Fish Bank?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings for Fish Bank are not publicly documented. Contact local Alif Dhaal dive operators for site-specific briefings on depth ranges, current strength, and recommended certification levels before your dive.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Twelve species observations are logged for Fish Bank. These typically include reef fish, sharks, and pelagic species common to Maldivian atolls. Community videos available online offer real footage of what divers have encountered at the site.

Do I need permits or special access to dive Fish Bank?

Fish Bank is not within a marine protected area, so standard Maldivian diving regulations apply. Most dives are booked through local resorts or independent operators in Alif Dhaal Atoll. Check entry requirements and operator licensing before booking.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Dhigurah divers

2.9 km
4.6 (32 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 35+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Bubbles Dive Center

3 km
Dive centre

Oceanholic Dive Center

3 km
4.6 (80 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 34+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Island Divers Dive Center

3 km
4.3 (131 reviews) open now
Dive centre
Verified
Hours: Saturday: Open 24 hours

Go Divers Maldives

3 km
4.5 (73 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 28+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

30.11.25 - Whale Shark! Dives at Dhangethi Beyru & Fish Bank

bbdivestaff

06.03.26 - Dives at Fish Bank & Broken + Maalhos Thila & Fish Head, Dhigurah South Ari - Maldives

Boutique Beach All Inclusive Diving Hotel Dhigurah

01.09.25 - Dives at Kudarah Thila & Fish Bank near Dhigurah, South Ari Atoll - Maldives.

Boutique Beach All Inclusive Diving Hotel Dhigurah
wind peaks May-Oct-Aug, calmest Nov-Apr-Mar, dry Jan-Jun, water 26-31°C.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Mar (100/100) Worst: Jun (0/100) Now: Sep (50/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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