Underwater Photo Location: Hafza Thila - North Ari Atoll

Experience grade: OK for Open water divers, but make sure not to wait too long on the surface while there is some current.

This dive sites is simply excellent. It has a very convenient shape, and beautiful formations, easy to dive and you can always expect to get thrilled by a nice encounter.

On your way down - you will get surrounded by a giant shoal of blue keel unicorn fish.
You will be able to see the top of the thila as soon as you stick your head under the surface. It is shaped oval and the top is at 10 -13m, which makes it extremely convenient for a safety stop on the way up. During rough sea you may difficult to find the Thila, so better to carry GPS.

The thila is sloping down steadily on each side with plateaus and big coral blocks positioned here and there all the way to the sandy bottom at around 35m.
By the coral blocks on the top you will be able to find stone fish and scorpion fish hiding underneath and in small holes and crevices. If you look really carefully, it is often possible to find a small leaf fish, hiding between the soft coral and sponges.
Under some of the bigger coral blocks you can sometimes find baby white tip reef shark or a nurse shark or two.
Hawksbill turtles and gray reef sharks are visiting the thila frequently.
Facts about Hafza Thila - North Ari Atoll

• It is in Maldives
• Hafza Thila - North Ari Atoll is in the Indian Ocean.
• The typical depth is 0-30 Metres 0-100 Feet.
• The typical visibility is 10-30 Metres 30-100 Feet.