We’ve heard a lot of news about the famous Maldivian Dive Spot turned Protected Marine Area and subsequently, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Hanifaru Bay. Let’s take a look at some of the other dive spots of Baa Atoll, which are just as interesting, even on a small budget.

Why, amongst 1192 islands and uncountable reefs and channels, Hanifaru? Why did Hanifaru have the ideal geography that causes plankton to accumulate in such profusion that manta rays and majestic whale sharks gather to feast on this buffet of epic proportions?

No one knows. But the crazy marine topography doesn’t stop just at Hanifaru. Sure, right now, Hanifaru is in the spotlight of marine biology, but such astounding natural phenomena are commonplace all over Maldives.

What could be a potential reason is the fact that although Baa Atoll is in close proximity with the capital of the nation, life is quite laid back here in the countryside, where apart from fishing and weaving mats, the next biggest thing would be the few resorts that cater to travelers from all over the world.

Anyone travelling to Maldives and then to Baa atoll would feel like they’ve been slingshot from civilization to extreme solitude in utter natural beauty. Liveaboards choose Baa atoll as their final destination, where divers can revel in undersea expeditions that lead them to discover flora and fauna that they’ve never seen before.

Baa Atoll, from below.

The marine scenery in Baa atoll is quite out of the ordinary, even for Maldives. While there are a few wrecks, the highlights would be the ridges and sea walls inexplicably rising right out of sandy seafloors, not unlike mesas in the Australian outback.

The island of Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll has been developed as a domestic airport in the recent years, and is an incredible asset to divers, as the island has a dive spot called the Dharavandhoo Thila. Extending to nearly a quarter of a kilometer, the reef is quite the gathering place for all kinds of reef fish, with some spotting of grouper. Click here for more info about Baa Atoll Maldives.