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Unrecognizable person in diving goggles and mask swimming underwater in transparent blue seawater
📷 Maahid Photos · Pexels

Maaya Lagoon

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.2 12 species 24 contributors

Maaya Lagoon offers year-round diving in the Maldives with 12 documented species and active community content.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Water temp
26–30°C
BleachingRiskShore entryPhotoFriendlyFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Water temp
26–30 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Blacktip reef shark, Green sea turtle

Top operators here

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Map

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Maaya Lagoon location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
9.1 kn
Wave
0.88 m
Water
29.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WSW (48%)
Now: W (272°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.67m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.56m), Low 10:00 (+0.41m)

+0.8 m+0.1 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.56m ▼ 10:00 · +0.41m ▲ 14:00 · +0.5m ▼ 22:00 · +0.08m Now +0.2m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9.25 · very high Air PM2.55 · good 05:58 18:05
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 11.4 0.92 9 0mm
09-20 17.4 0.9 9 10mm
09-21 13.8 0.92 9 4mm
09-22 14.2 0.88 9 2mm
09-23 13.6 0.84 6 0mm
09-24 17.7 1.04 9 9mm
09-25 15.2 1.04 8 14mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 1.5°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (26–30°C)

About this spot

Maaya Lagoon is a dive destination in the Maldives accessible throughout the year. The site attracts divers interested in tropical marine ecosystems and has documented observations of 12 species, giving you solid intel on what swims here. Community divers have shared 3 videos from the spot, so you can preview conditions and marine life before you go. The lagoon sits outside a marine protected area, which shapes the diving experience and local regulations. Keep an eye on coral health—the area is flagged for bleaching watch status, meaning conditions are worth monitoring before you plan your trip. Water conditions and exact depths vary, so checking recent community reports and videos is smart prep. Diver interest here is real: multiple community members have documented their dives and shared footage. This means you'll find recent intel on current conditions, visibility, and what's moving through the water. The year-round access window means you can plan flexibly, though seasonal swells and currents will shift the dive experience across months. Maximize your dive by reviewing those community videos and species records beforehand. Talk to local operators about current conditions, entry points, and any local rules before you jump in.

📖 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 sharkGreen sea turtle

Dive types

Reef

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 · 48%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit rashguard / 1mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8505km · ~1956kg · €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

Can I dive Maaya Lagoon year-round?

Yes, the Maldives offers year-round diving access. However, seasonal swells, currents, and weather patterns shift across months, so conditions and dive quality vary. Check current reports from community divers before booking.

What depth and difficulty is Maaya Lagoon?

Specific depth and difficulty data for this site aren't documented here. Review the 3 community videos and check with local operators for current conditions, required certifications, and depth ranges before diving.

What marine life can I see?

12 species have been documented at Maaya Lagoon. Community videos and species observations are your best source for current wildlife data. Watch the shared footage to see what divers have encountered recently.

Do I need permits or special access?

Maaya Lagoon sits outside a marine protected area, so standard Maldives entry and diving rules apply. Confirm any local regulations with your operator. Coral bleaching watch status means the ecosystem is monitored—ask operators about current reef health.

Operators near this spot

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

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Dive Ref 20964 Maldives Maaya Lagoon N Ari 2024 11 04 #7 4K

Stephen Ruff

Maldives’ TOP 8 Dive Sites (Pro Tips + Epic Marine Life)

OceanicOdyssey

Ari Atoll Maaya Thila Diving in Maldives

Maldives Tour Guide
wind peaks May-Oct-Jul, calmest Nov-Apr-Mar, dry Jan-Jun, water 26-30°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: Apr (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (88/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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