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Hanifaru Bay

Discover the world's largest known manta ray feeding and breeding ground in the Maldives, nestled within the breathtaking Baa Atoll lagoon. Dive into this magnificent spot between May and November to witness an extraordinary display of nature's wonders. Keep your eyes open for exhilarating encounters with magnificent whale sharks and playful dolphins who occasionally grace these waters.

From May to November, this captivating dive site offers an abundance of marine life, including manta rays and magnificent whale sharks. Immerse yourself in the vibrant reef, teeming with fascinating creatures like white tip reef sharks, graceful green turtles, and colorful sweetlips.

Situated within the lagoon of Baa Atoll, this UNESCO protected site boasts a unique funnel-shaped formation, with the inner narrow section spanning approximately 600 meters. Within this region, you'll find the awe-inspiring presence of whale sharks and manta rays. Brace yourself for an unforgettable experience, as up to 150 manta rays can be found at this renowned location. While whale sharks also make appearances throughout the season, they are less commonly sighted than their ray counterparts.

Featuring a visibility of 17 meters and a maximum depth of 15 meters, this dive site is perfect for beginners seeking an introductory exploration into the mesmerizing underwater realm. Escape to the idyllic Maldives to embark on this unforgettable diving adventure in the heart of Baa Atoll.

Diving Conditions Score for Hanifaru Bay

7
Good

Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Hanifaru Bay

Depth

15m

Visibility

17m

Experience Level

beginner

Weather Conditions for Hanifaru Bay

Wave Height

0.88m

Wind Speed

22.8 m/s

Water Temp

29.3°C

Visibility

10.62km

Cloud Cover

94%

Wave Period

6.65s

Air Temperature

26.9°C

Precipitation

0.1 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Hanifaru Bay
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Hanifaru Bay

Best time to dive: 7:00 with score 7.494944278606965/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.9m, Wind 24.2 m/s.Best night dive time: 4:00 with score 7.086642253521127/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Hanifaru Bay: 06:00
Sunset at Hanifaru Bay: 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Hanifaru Bay are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
7:00

Score: 7.5/10
Waves: 0.9m (6.7s), Wind: 24.2 m/s

🌙
Best Night
4:00

Score: 7.1/10
Waves: 0.88m, Wind: 23.2 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Hanifaru Bay
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Hanifaru Bay

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Hanifaru Bay

Winter

Avg. Score: 10.0/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for Hanifaru Bay

January
Score: 10.0
February
Score: 10.0
March
Score: 10.0

Ideal Conditions for Hanifaru Bay

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

20.5°C / 68.9°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

20.1m / 65.9ft

May

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.2m / 0.7ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Hanifaru Bay

Hanifaru Bay shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (20.5°C) and December the coldest (16.5°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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