North Ari Atoll
Mushi Mas Mingili Thila, also known as Fish Head, is one of the top dive sites in the world. It is a reef pinnacle located in the northern part of Ari Atoll, between the islands of Mandhoo and Maamgili. The pinnacle is oval-shaped, 100m/330ft long, and 60m/198ft wide. The reef slopes from 8-20m/26-66ft and then to 42m/138ft on its south side. The maximum depth of the northern side of the reef is 20m/66ft. Before the site was officially recognized as a Protected Marine Area, among divers it was known for being a shark feeding spot. Due to the forceful tidal currents that can sometimes occur in this area, this dive site is not recommended for novice divers.
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When To Go Diving
At Mushi Mas Mingili Thila diving is possible at any time of the year, but diving will be more pleasurable from December to May when the sea is calmest. The water temperature stays between 26-29C/79-84F year-round.
What to see
First and foremost, the site is famous for its rich fish species diversity and for being a home for sharks in particular. Scorpionfish, barracudas, moray eels, stingrays, yellow grunts, fusiliers, and blue-lined snapper are the most commonly seen fish in this area. This site also has a vast number of black corals on the north and west sides of the pinnacle, and beautiful sea fans and anemones are also common at this place.