Ukulhas Thila

A long, narrow thila of about 300 m on the northern rim of Ari, facing the open ocean, with a flat top near 15 m sloping to about 30 m. Three groups of large coral rocks on the reef top act as one of the best-known manta cleaning stations of the Maldives. Groupers, tuna, moray eels, turtles, blue-striped snapper and eagle rays are common, and whitetip and grey reef sharks hang in the deeper parts.

Facts

• Region: Maldives – North & Central Atolls
• Area: North Ari Atoll
• Depth: 15–30 m
• Level: advanced
• Current: strong
• Type: pinnacle, manta
• Coordinates: 4.223, 72.872 (approximate)
• Highlights: manta rays, manta cleaning station, grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, tuna, blue-lined snapper, turtles, moray eels, glassfish, soft coral
• Unverified: No published GPS for the thila itself; sources only say it lies on the northern rim near Ukulhas island, so the pin is placed off Ukulhas as an estimate.
• Tips: Mantas are most likely from December to April. Start up-current, then wait at a respectful distance from the cleaning stations without blocking the mantas' approach.

Sources

• https://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/maldives/see-and-do/dive-site/ukulhas-thila.htm
• https://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-maldives-ari-atoll.php
• https://www.dive-the-world.com/posts/ari/scuba-diving-maldives-manta-ari-atoll.php