Ari Atoll (Ari; or Alifu, as it is also called) is located about 100 km from Malé airport and is divided into northern and southern parts - Alif Alif and Alif Dhaal. This is one of the largest atolls of the archipelago, stretching for 33 km from west to east and 96 km from north to south. It includes about 70 islands and sandbanks, but only 18 of them are inhabited, and 28 are turned into resorts.
In the northern part of Ari, in addition to the main atoll, there is a small atoll of Radsu and the atoll of Thoddoo, and in the south - the capital of Mahibadhoo. Tourists here are groomed, cherished and entertained: windsurfing, snorkeling, water skiing, canoeing and catamaran. There are boat rentals, riding on "bananas" and scooters, parasailing. Not to mention diving.
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How to get here
The easiest way to get to the Ari Atoll on the seaplane from Male is in 20-30 minutes. Another option is on the boat, on the way about 2 hours.
Ari Atoll hotels
Ari is famous for its chic hotels, and each of them has its own, personal merits. For example, on the island of Kuramathi, where the famous traveler Tour Heyerdahl conducted archaeological excavations, divers and windsurfing lovers should stop at the Kuramathi Island Resort.
In Dhoni Mighili each room is accompanied by a personal boat "Doni", ready to serve as a "water taxi" 24 hours a day. Lily Beach, despite a good diving, works on an "all inclusive" system, as a result - there are few professional divers there, more beginners. For peace and quiet, you should go to Nika, where each private bungalow is accompanied by a private beach.
The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa on the island of Rangali-Finolu has a diving center, which can be advised to beginner dives-swimmers.
And in Sun Island, on the island of Nalaguraidu, on the contrary, life by local standards boils and boils: there are several restaurants, grounds for all kinds of sports, slot machines, billiards. There managed to make even a golf course - with imported American grass.
Other island resorts: Veligandu, Vilamendu, Tundufushi, Diffushi, Kudara, Aturuga, Velidu, Diddu Finolu, Fesdu, Mayafushi, Mirihi, Vakarufali and Madugali.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions
Thoddoo atoll is only ~ 15 km to the north of the island of Veligandu and occupies ~ 1.5 km in diameter. There are no hotels here, the locals mainly engage in fishing and growing watermelons. In addition, this atoll has a strong school of traditional Maldivian dances, which occasionally hold concerts in Ari hotels. Another 50 years ago, an ancient Buddhist temple (90 BC) was found on the island, but today there is nothing left of it because of a disregard.
You can also swim on the island of Dhangethi, where the cultural center of South Ari is located. Or go in search of the island of Ariadhoo, where, according to eyewitnesses, there is still an ancient Buddhist stupa.
Diving on Ari Atoll
Here you can find reef sharks, tuna, lionfish, moray eels, parrotfish, gigantic fish-napoleon long at 2, 5 m, turtles, gorgonian, sea lilies and bodies.
Reserves: Maaya Thila, Orimas Thila, Fidh Head, Kudarah Thila, located near the islands of Alaveli, Machcafushi, Viligilivaru, Ellaida and Batala.
Dive sites:
- Brocken Rock is a practically round coral reef with a diameter of 50 m, located in the southern part of Ari Atoll. In the center of the atoll there is a big crack, on both sides there are a lot of hollows, gorgonians, sponges.
- Fish Head (Fish Head) is a marine reserve with a severely cut relief stretching for 100 m. On the north and west sides, the reef is surrounded by coral blocks, the summit at a depth of 10 m, the base is 30 m. Sharks are encountered, the current is not very strong. @
- The Halaveli River sank in 1991 and now lives at a depth of 20-28 m. It is interesting for open holds, where you can look, as well as a lot of stingrays, which divers feed.
- Maaya Thila - a coral reef of 80 m, the upper part of which is at a depth of 8 m, the lower one - 30 m. This dive site is considered one of the most beautiful places in the northern part of the Ari Atoll - thanks to a rugged terrain, a diverse animal world. Strong currents.
- Manta Reef or Madivaru is famous for its strong current and depth of 5-30 m. During the northeastern monsoon, from December to April, the plankton of the manta rays sail here. Also there are fish-napoleons and fish-cocks.
- Panetone - the northern part of the reef of the island of Kalahandi-Hura (Kalhahandhi Hura). The reef stretches for 250 m, the summit at a depth of 3 m, the base - 30 m. Here, a lot of cornices, grottoes, there are barracudas and in a strong current you can see sharks.
- Rack Fesdu is a 3-meter trailer, covered with corals and snugly triple at a depth of 18 m. Acne and groupers took root inside the ship, where you can easily get on the road studying soft corals and sponges.
- Peshiers, canyons and all kinds of picturesque cracks can be seen in the Orimas Thila (Orimas-Tila) nature reserve. Marine life here is rich in soft corals, exotic fish, anemones and clown fish. The top of the reef is at a depth of only 3 m and is suitable for those who like to swim with a mask and snorkel.
Diving on the Rasdu Atoll
Atoll Rasdhu, located northeast of Ari Atoll, is only 9 km in diameter. On the territory of the atoll managed to accommodate several fashionable hotels, a couple of daley centers, a school, a clinic, four mosques and a souvenir shop.
There are no strong undercurrents, so this place is perfect for beginners. You can dive both in Rasput itself and in the northern part of Ari Atoll. In these parts there are no soft corals, but in abundance there is a hammer fish (at a depth of 20-30 m), but only until 6 am. At sunrise, the fish dive into the dark underwater depths and do not return until the early morning of the next day.
Hammerhead Point (or Rasdhoo Madivaru): manta rays, large predatory fish, sharks. Right outside the reef, the depth drops to an impressive 200 m and the water is incredibly transparent. In addition, this site is considered an excellent place for snorkeling.
A dive center is available at the Kuramathi Blue Lagoon 4 * - Rasdhoo Atoll Divers (www.rasdhoodivers.com), which serves the entire Kuramathi complex. Diving with boat rental and all equipment will cost 60 USD, for 420 USD you can take an open-water course. Another dive center is working at the Veligandu Island 4 * - Ocean-Pro Dive Base (www.oceanpro-diveteam.com). The nearest sites are far away from the center of Rasdhoo Atoll Divers, and snorkeling is not in the price (there's nothing to watch especially), but Veligandu is not particularly upset about this: diving on this island is not the main thing.
Photo of Ari Atoll (21)