Vashafaru is a local island in Haa Alifu, the northernmost atoll of the Maldives, 303 km north of Malé. It is about 2 km long, a local island rather than a resort island, with a friendly community, a long white-sand beach and a calm turquoise lagoon that is great for kids.

A few things we love about it

  • The house reef, home to turtles.
  • Vashafaru-thundi, the sand spit that shifts with the seasons.
  • The island’s bikini beach, a short walk from Beach Inn.
  • Village life: local shops, a café, an outdoor gym, a health centre and a 24-hour ATM.

Good to know

Vashafaru is alcohol-free, and in the village please cover shoulders and knees.

Getting here

Fly from Malé to Hanimaadhoo (HAQ), the nearest airport, in about 45–60 minutes. A Beach Inn representative meets you there for a speedboat ride of about 20 minutes to the island.

Vashafaru is also home to our in-house PADI Dive Center, Vashafaru Dive & Water Sports, so the reefs of the far north are right on your doorstep.

At Beach Inn Vashafaru and our in-house dive center, Vashafaru Dive & Water Sports, we dive the reef-friendly way: no touching, no chasing, and nothing taken from the reef.

Every manta is an individual

Reef manta rays are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Each manta has a unique pattern of spots on its belly, like a fingerprint, so researchers can recognise individuals from photos. If you get a clear shot of a manta’s belly, consider sharing it with a manta research project working in the Maldives: every sighting helps build a picture of these animals.

How to behave around mantas

  • Never touch or chase a manta.
  • Keep a respectful distance and let the manta come to you.
  • Stay low and still near the reef, without kicking up sand.
  • Do not block its path.

Ask our dive team for a briefing before you head out.

Macro diving opens up a hidden world that most divers swim right past. You do not need to go deep or far: slow down, look closely at the reef, and the small things start to appear.

What to look for around Vashafaru

Peacock mantis shrimp peering out of burrows on sandy slopes and rubble, Maldives anemonefish (found only in this corner of the Indian Ocean) guarding their anemones, and lionfish tucked beneath ledges.

Tips for getting started

  • Work on your buoyancy first, so you can hover close to the reef without touching it.
  • Slow down. Pick a small patch of reef and give it a few minutes.
  • Bring a small torch: it brings back the colours that water filters out.
  • For photos, a compact camera with a macro mode is plenty to start with.
  • Never touch, move or poke marine life for a better shot.

New to diving? Start with Discover Scuba Diving or a PADI course at Vashafaru Dive & Water Sports, our in-house PADI Dive Center at Beach Inn Vashafaru.

Reef manta rays are one of the highlights of diving and snorkeling in Haa Alifu, the northernmost atoll of the Maldives. They are seen around the atoll, but sightings depend on currents, plankton and conditions on the day, so rather than promise a season we would rather tell you honestly what we have been seeing.

Ask us about your dates

If mantas are top of your list, message us on WhatsApp at +960 779-5071 or email [email protected] with your travel dates. Our team at Vashafaru Dive & Water Sports, the in-house PADI Dive Center at Beach Inn Vashafaru, will let you know what to expect.

Planning the rest of your trip

The driest months in the far north are January to April, and sea temperatures stay around 28–30 °C all year.

When you meet a manta

  • Never touch or chase it.
  • Keep a respectful distance and let the manta come to you.
  • Stay calm and still, and do not block its path.