Lhaviyani Atoll · Maldives · Pinnacle
Boava Thila
Black coral, cracks and overhangs on an inside-atoll thila
Area photo: asands from London, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0
An inside-atoll thila about 10 minutes north of Le Méridien Maldives, described by the dive centre as suitable for all levels. Starting at around 5 m the reef descends to 30 m, with patches of black coral and cracks and overhangs along its sides to explore.
Where it is and how deep
5.3053° N, 73.6081° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
Boava Thila sits inside the atoll, a short run of around 10 minutes north of Le Méridien Maldives. You descend onto the reef top at around 5 m and then follow the side of the mount down; the reef descends to 30 m, so the depth of the dive is set by the group rather than the site.
Along the way the slope is cut with cracks and overhangs worth putting a light into, and there are patches of black coral on the reef. Work around the thila at the chosen depth, then spiral up to the 5 m top for the safety stop before surfacing to the boat.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime |
Season follows Lhaviyani Atoll: Iruvai, the dry northeast monsoon (Dec–Apr), is calm and clear; the wet Hulhangu monsoon (Jun–Nov) can chop the surface but brings mantas to Fushifaru Thila, peaking Oct–Nov.
Questions divers ask
Is Boava Thila suitable for beginners?+
The dive centre describes it as an inside-atoll reef suitable for all levels; the top is at around 5 m, though the reef descends to 30 m for those qualified to go deeper.
Sources
- Boava Thila — Scubago
More dive sites in Lhaviyani Atoll
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Healthy hard coral from a 5 m top down to about 30 m
Two protected manta cleaning stations on a plateau of coral blocks
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Overhangs on a 5 m to 30 m thila dived for macro life
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Grey reef sharks in schools of 20 or more on an incoming tide
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A strong-current channel corner reaching 30 m
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Overhangs on one side, a hard-coral garden on the other
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A 20-minute channel crossing between corners at 12–30 m
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Two tongues of reef descending to 20–22 m on the southern side
Similar dives elsewhere
Leopard sharks sheltering on the sand at nearly 30 m
Four coral pinnacles 30–50 m apart, from 10 m down to 30 m
Granite canyons in the channel between Praslin and La Digue
Up to 30 manta rays reported over one cleaning-station boulder