What is the best time to Dive & Snorkel at Vilamendhoo?
Around the year.
[Updated on Thursday, April 03, 2025]
From avid diver to beginner, the waters around Vilamendhoo provide plenty of excursions and dive experiences to see the marine life, including hard and soft coral, Turtles, Manta rays and Whale Sharks encounters.
Vilamendhoo’s Year-Round Diving & Snorkelling Calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Whale Sharks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Reef Sharks | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Silvertip Sharks | High | High | High | High | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hammerhead Sharks | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Nurse Sharks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manta Rays | High | High | High | Yes | Yes | High | High | High | High | High | Yes | Yes |
| Sting Rays | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eagle Rays | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hawksbill Turtles | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Green Turtles | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Night diving | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shipwreck diving | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ideal for new divers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
[Related: Snorkelling and Diving with Whale Sharks in the Maldives » ]
Vilamendhoo is a Year-Round Diving and Snorkelling Paradise
Situated in the diving and snorkelling hot spot of South Ari Atoll, Vilamendhoo offers exceptional experiences for all skill levels, no matter the season. From beginners to experienced divers or snorkellers, it provides plenty of opportunities to discover the incredible marine life surrounding the tropical island in the Maldives. The resort encompasses nearly 50 dive sites, all within one-hour reach by dive boats, including the Maamigili Marine Protected Area and National Park, where whale sharks are habitually spotted.
“Buffet resturant had a different variety evry night and was very tasty, staff was very friendly and helpful. House reef was wonderful and beginner snorkeling friendly.” – William, February 2025 – Expedia
House Reef – A famous underwater garden
One of Vilamendhoo’s most incredible features is its house reef, located just a few steps from the beach. The coral garden encircles the island, extending over the narrow lagoon around the overwater villas on the western end of the island. Divers enjoy the sight of the soft and hard corals teeming in the fringing reef. From brain corals to table corals and deeply formed coral habitats are found along with the colourful fish that reside in them. Parrot-fish, butterfly-fish, angelfish, trumpet-fish, oriental sweetlips, trevallys, clown-fish, moray-eels and spotted-eagle-rays and turtles can easily be spotted just with a house reef dive.
 HOUSE-REEF-SOUTH-SIDE |
 HOUSE-REEF-NORTH-SIDE |
[Related: Spotting Sea Turtles in the Maldives With Vilamendhoo » ]
Euro Divers – Snorkellers’ and Divers’ companion on the island
The Euro-Divers Dive Centre at Vilamendhoo is an award winning, professional dive operator. As a fully equiped, 5-Star Dive Centre, it offers a wide range of PADI courses for all dive enthusiasts. Beginners and refreshers will be introduced to a house reef orientation dive. Followed by any dive course or preferred dive trips to dive sites around the atoll – all with expert guidance. From open water dives to advanced diving, Euro Divers offers all recreational dive experiences. The team also conducts guided night snorkelling to the house reef for those seeking adventure and witness the marine life glow in the dark.
Top Nearby Dive Sites
Vilamendhoo Thila – 5 minutes from the island
Just five minutes from Vilamendhoo’s dive jetty, this submerged dive point boasts dramatic overhangs and thriving marine life. Divers can encounter grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and vibrant reef fish. With its diverse landscape, Vilamendhoo Thila is an unforgettable underwater adventure for all divers.
Bapoli Thila – 20 minutes from the island
Bapoli Thila is a haven for its elegant underwater landscape. Its vivid drop-offs and stunning rock formations hide tiger and peacock mantis shrimp, octopuses, stonefish, and vibrant anemones. With shimmering glassfish and elusive critters, this dive site is an exciting marine habitat for divers.
Kudarah Thila – 35 minutes from the island
Kudarah Thila is a renowned marine reserve teeming with life. Schools of blue-striped snappers swirl around vibrant corals while grey reef sharks patrol the depths. With rich biodiversity and stunning formations, it attracts many experienced divers.
“We enjoyed a 1 week family holiday in Dec24. Its a fantastic resort, located on a beautiful island with stunning beaches, surrounded by a great house-reef. Very friendly & helpful staff, good food, an excellent dive centre and dive location. Would happily return.” – DubaiScotts, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 2024 – TripAdvisor
Discover the Best of Vilamendhoo
Vilamendhoo House Reef Snorkelling: Just a few steps from the beach, the reef offers 10 easy entry and exit points, allowing the divers and snorkelers.
Join Vilamendhoo Fun Dives: Features over 15 stunning ‘Thila’s (submerged coral formations), including famous sites like Kuda Rah Thila, Lucky Hell, Kudhimaa Wreck, and 7th Heaven. Encounter sharks, eagle rays, and massive schools of snapper in these spectacular underwater landscapes.
Whale Shark Encounters: South Ari Atoll is one of the locations where whale sharks are seen year-round. Join a full-day excursion for a chance to swim alongside these gentle giants.
Manta Ray Sightings Excursions: Experience the magical manta rays at four well-known cleaning stations across South Ari Atoll, shifting sightings based on the season.
“We had a wonderful holiday at Vilamendhoo Resort. Everything was arranged smoothly e.g. the seaplane transfers. The house reef was amazing to snorkel in, we could see reef sharks, turtles, eels, rays, colorful fish. My dream of swimming with whale sharks came true on the whale shark excursion organized by the resort. The dive center was also fantastic, with boat trips to the best dive sites and great dive guides! Can’t wait to discover some other dive sites next time. We met some other repeated visitors and we definitely understand why :)” – Jesssrnck, Ghent, Belgium, July 2024 – TripAdvisor
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