TALABO THILA

This dive site, Talabo Thila, is a small pinnacle located about a 15-minute boat ride northwest of Le Meridien in the Maldives. Its name, "Talabo," means "bald person" in Divehi, referring to the site's relative lack of extensive coral growth. Dives typically start around 5 meters before descending to a sandy bottom. While the primary maximum depth for general exploration is stated as 17 meters, divers can often find marine life, including rare porcupine stingrays, at depths of 20-25 meters on the sandy bottom, suggesting an exploratory range beyond the listed max depth for certain observations. The site features beautiful blocks and offers straightforward navigation around the thila structure. The marine life at Talabo Thila is abundant and diverse. Divers can expect to encounter numerous species of fish, often gathering around the thila. The sandy areas are home to various stingrays, including the distinctive porcupine stingrays, while sleeping nurse sharks are a common and exciting sight, contributing to the site's vibrant ecosystem. The Maldives generally offers excellent diving conditions year-round, with good visibility, making Talabo Thila enjoyable at most times. The shallow average depth of 8 meters and maximum of 17 meters make it highly suitable for both scuba divers of intermediate level and above, due to potential variable currents, and freedivers who can easily explore the thila's features and observe the resting nurse sharks and rays. While the coral cover is not the highlight, the rich fish life and unique larger animals provide a captivating experience.