North Malé Atoll · Maldives · Reef
Sunlight Thila
Giant mantas over two small reefs, March to October
Area photo: Genet (Diskussion) · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sunlight Thila is a formation of two small reefs that attracts giant manta rays between March and October. Between the reefs lies a 60 m sandy bottom with small coral formations and plenty of cleaner wrasses, and with an average depth of 15 m, a 17 m maximum and light current the diving is easy.
Where it is and how deep
4.3000° N, 73.5318° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The site is a formation of two small reefs, and the dive works the ground between them: a 60 m long sandy bottom carrying small coral formations and plenty of cleaner wrasses. Between March and October the formation attracts giant manta rays, and the shallow profile means you can wait for them — average depth is 15 m, the maximum 17 m.
Everything about the conditions is gentle. wannadive logs the current low, under 1 knot, and visibility good at 10 to 30 m, and with only 17 m of water even a conservative gas plan gives a long dive. When the season is on, it is manta diving without the hard work: shallow, calm and unhurried.
Marine life and season
- Manta rays
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime |
Season follows North Malé Atoll: The dry northeast monsoon (Dec-May) is the calm season; currents from November bring pelagics to the channels. Late May to July is the weak window - most liveaboards relocate elsewhere.
Questions divers ask
When do mantas visit Sunlight Thila?+
The two reefs attract giant manta rays between March and October; the rest of the year the site is a calm, shallow reef dive to 17 m.
Sources
- Sunlight Thila — Scubago
- Sunlight Thila — wannadive.net
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