Nassimo Thila

A protected thila (submerged pinnacle) in North Malé (Kaafu) Atoll, a couple of kilometres west of Lankanfinolhu (Paradise Island), reached by boat from Malé and nearby resorts. Also known as Paradise Rock, Virgin Reef or Naseem Thila. Its character is colour: several big pinnacles rise off the north side of the thila, smothered in soft corals, gorgonians and sea fans in every shade with clouds of bright anthias around them, while the overhang ceilings on the main reef are lined with blue soft coral. The thila tops out around 10–15 m and drops to roughly 27–30 m, best kept within no-deco limits as you circle it. Currents are usually strong and hit the north pinnacles hardest — that's where the fish gather and the dive is at its best — so it's an advanced, current-comfortable site, with the south side more sheltered. Expect napoleon wrasse, barracuda, black snapper, dogtooth tuna, oriental sweetlips, white-tip and nurse sharks, turtles and eagle rays, plus scorpionfish and nudibranchs for macro in the soft corals. Boat entry.

Also known as: Naseem Thila, Paradise Rocks, Virgin Reef