Ari Atoll Maldives Holidays
Ari Atoll
Holidays
The whale shark capital of the Maldives — year-round encounters with the ocean's gentle giants and world-class diving
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Flight Time
10–11h from London to Malé, then 25 min seaplane or domestic flight + speedboat
Best Time
November to April (dry season); whale sharks year-round
Country
Maldives
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Ari Atoll Holiday Guide
Ari Atoll is the whale shark capital of the Maldives — year-round encounters with whale sharks in the South Ari Marine Protected Area make it the most reliable destination in the world for this extraordinary experience.
The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (home to the world's first underwater restaurant, Ithaa) and the W Maldives are two of the most celebrated resorts in the Indian Ocean. The thila diving — particularly Fish Head — is world-class.
Access is by seaplane (25 minutes) or domestic flight to Maafaru followed by a speedboat. The best time to visit is November to April, but whale sharks are present year-round.
Popular Areas in Ari Atoll
Average Temperatures
Jan
30°C
Feb
31°C
Mar
31°C
Apr
31°C
May
30°C
Jun
29°C
Jul
29°C
Aug
29°C
Sep
29°C
Oct
30°C
Nov
30°C
Dec
30°C
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Call 01282 960 460Top 8 Things To Do in Ari Atoll
The whale sharks, world-class diving and iconic resorts that make Ari Atoll the most exciting atoll in the Maldives.
Year-Round Whale Shark Encounters
Ari Atoll is the most reliable destination in the world for swimming with whale sharks — the gentle giants are present year-round, attracted by the plankton-rich waters of the atoll. The South Ari Marine Protected Area (around Dhigurah and Maamigili) is the most reliable site, with sightings on virtually every trip. Snorkelling with whale sharks is one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on earth.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is one of the most iconic resorts in the world — home to Ithaa, the world's first underwater restaurant (dining 5 metres below the ocean surface surrounded by coral and fish), and extraordinary overwater villas. The resort spans two islands connected by a bridge and offers the full spectrum of Maldivian luxury.
W Maldives
The W Maldives is one of the most stylish and contemporary resorts in the Maldives — a vibrant, design-led property with exceptional overwater villas, world-class diving and a lively atmosphere. The resort is a favourite with younger, style-conscious travellers seeking a more energetic Maldivian experience.
Thila Diving
Ari Atoll is famous for its thila diving — underwater pinnacles rising from the ocean floor, covered in extraordinary coral and teeming with marine life. Fish Head (Mushimasmingili Thila) is one of the most celebrated dive sites in the Maldives, with grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, eagle rays and huge schools of fish.
Hammerhead Sharks
The waters around Rangali in South Ari Atoll are one of the few places in the Maldives where hammerhead sharks can be reliably encountered. The hammerhead cleaning station at Rangali Channel is a world-famous dive site. Encounters with large schools of hammerheads are possible from January to April.
Ithaa Underwater Restaurant
Ithaa at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the world's first underwater restaurant — a glass tunnel 5 metres below the ocean surface, surrounded by coral reef and marine life. Dining at Ithaa is one of the most extraordinary restaurant experiences in the world. Reservations must be made months in advance.
Water Sports & Surfing
Ari Atoll has excellent conditions for water sports — the lagoons are calm and protected, ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding and windsurfing. The outer reef breaks offer good surfing from March to October. Most resorts offer a comprehensive water sports programme.
Resort Dining
The resorts of Ari Atoll offer exceptional dining — from the extraordinary underwater experience at Ithaa to the beach barbecues and overwater restaurants at W Maldives and the other properties. The fresh seafood — tuna, lobster, reef fish — is exceptional throughout the atoll.
Explore Ari Atoll on the Map
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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