Marine Protected Areas in the Maldives – Protecting Paradise

This is a channel that's located south of Fushivaru. The place is protected and recognised as a point where a large number of manta rays group. Home to beautiful hard corals and an abundance of colourful reef and pelagic fish, Fushivaru Thila certainly requires extra attention.

This is a channel that is on the western edge of Makunudho; spanning an area of 100 into 2000 metres the channel is home to a large number of sharks, reef fish and stunning coral clusters.

Another marine protected reef, this is part of the outer reef belonging to Rasfari Island. The point is home to an abundance of grey reef sharks and huge manta rays and measures at 5000 into 1700 metres.

Located on the North Male Atoll H P Reef is a 'thila' or channel between the islands of Girifushi and Himmafushi. It is 100 miles in radius and boasts a fine collection of gorgonians and soft corals. You will also see reef sharks, pelagic fish and reef fish of all colours and hues.

Part of the South Male Atoll Embudu Channel is protected in its entirety. Belonging to Embudu Kanduolhi the area is protected for its pelagic fishes and shark species. You could be a part of protecting coral reefs in Maldives by joining programmes such as coral adoptions in the South Male Atoll. Wholly rewarding, the process involves many stages where visitors may adopt a protected coral cluster. Naladhu Maldives has taken the initiative in diversifying this programme in order to get the urgent message of marine protection in Maldives across to a diverse audience around the globe.

Another protected area around South Male Atoll this channel comprises of the entire Guraidhoo Kanduolhi. Here under protection are coral reefs, pelagic fishes, sharks and a myriad of reef fish.

Undoubtedly one of the world's best dive spots Fish Head is located on the Ari Atoll. 500 miles in radius the place is best known for its collection of sharks amongst many other marine life, corals, natural caves and rock formations.

This is a thila that is found east of Kuda Rah. It is 100 metres in radius and home to sharks, beautiful reef fish and a marvellous collection of coral outcrops. It is located amidst the Ari Atoll.

Located to the western edge of Vavu Atoll Devana Kandu is an entire channel. Grey reef sharks are in abundance here as are beautiful soft coral and a range of marine life.

This is a channel that's located to the south of Orimas faru. It is 100 metres in radius. It is home to soft coral's of many hues, tropical reef fish and other types of hard coral.