Hotels in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives
Gaafu Alifu Atoll, a remote cluster of islands in the southern Maldives, is one of the world's largest atolls and famous for its pristine coral reefs where you can regularly spot whale sharks and manta rays. The tropical climate stays warm year-round between 82°F (28°C) and 90°F (32°C), with the dry northeast monsoon from December to April offering calm seas and 100-foot visibility for diving the atoll's deep channels, while the rainy southwest monsoon from May to October brings nutrient-rich plankton that draws huge manta ray feeding frenzies and whale shark visits. For your best chance to swim with these gentle giants, plan your trip between May and October, and for clear-water coral reef exploration, choose the dry season from December to April.
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