Turtle Reef

★★★★☆ (118)

The turtle reef is on the east side outside of the atoll, between Madivaru and Veligandu. Sometimes there is a nice ocean current making is very suitable for drift dives.

This reef is famous for the many sea turtles feeding here on the reeftop and the reef slope. Often reef sharks, stingrays and eagle rays can be found in this area.

Dive Activity

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
17 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
4
J
1
A
2
S
1
O
3
N
1
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
15 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
2
O
3
N
4
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
14 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
2
J
2
J
3
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
3
O
2
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
1
iStock/Divepic

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-wildestanimal

Common Dolphin
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Tobias Friedrich

Bottlenose Dolphin
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-stephnea

Spinner Dolphin
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
Alamy/BIOSPHOTO

Ocean Sunfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
16 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
3
J
5
A
3
S
0
O
1
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
16 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
2
J
3
J
5
A
3
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
2
J
3
J
3
A
3
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
14 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
2
J
2
J
2
A
3
S
0
O
2
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
2
A
3
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
0
iStock-June Jacobsen

Whitetip Reef Shark
10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
3
N
4
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
2
J
2
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
1
M
1
J
2
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
3
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
3
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer

Grey Reef Shark
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
3
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
5 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak

Nurse Shark
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
iStock-FionaAyerst

Lemon Shark
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
0
iStock-Lindsey Dougherty

Silvertip Shark
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
Shutterstock-Joost van Uffelen

Olive Ridley Turtle
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 50

istock-atese

Frogfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

k

Cornetfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

Apex Dive Rasdhoo

Ghaazee Magu, 09020 Rasdhoo, MDV

Jerrys Dive Club Rasdhoo

Cooperation rd, 09020 Rasdhoo, MDV

Awequatic Divers

Breeze, 09020 Rasdhoo, MDV

Dive Sites Nearby

Mares, Janez Kranjc

Ory Faru (★4.6)

Ory Faru is a great dive site situated right in front of Kuramathi island. This is an easy wall dive and perfectly suitable for all levels of divers. The reef starts at about 4 meters and drops down below 40 meters depth.
Mares

Three Palms (★4.5)

Three Palms offers a quiet dive along a wall with 3 beautiful formations of table corals which gives this spot its name. On the top of the house reef you can see blacktip reef sharks, in the channel eagle rays, and sometimes reef mantas. On the wall are also lionfish, lobsters, and a lot of small fish!
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Fan Reef (★4.4)

Situated south of Kuramathi, a short two minute drive from the resort’s arrival and excursion jetty, divers are often at Fan reef, it is an easy wall dive and perfect for beginners and Open Water Divers. Most of the good stuff can be seen at shallow depths. However it is also by what they can see so close to shore.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Rasdhoo Channel (★4.5)

Suitable only for advanced divers, the channel between Kuramathi Resort Island and Rasdhoo offers world-class encounters between 22 and 30 meters deep. This dive works best with a medium current pushing mainly across and slightly in toward the atoll. Divers should follow the edge of the channel.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Kuramathi Housereef (★4.4)

It is located by the main snorkelling area from the Kuramathi Dive Jetty. Starts shallow and slopes slowly down with a maximum depth of 20m. Good to do as a beach dive from Kuramathi.
Rasdhoo Divers, Rasdhoo Atoll

Rasdhoo Beyru (★4.5)

Rasdhoo Beyru is an interesting site with the wall of the island of Rasdhoo on one side and massive coral blocks (or thilas) mounted on the outside steep drop-off of the atoll. These two features create a corridor of sand between the inner reef and outer thilas. In some places, the corridor is only 20 meters wide.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Bodu Gaa (★4.5)

Boduga means big block in Dhivehi. This site derives its name from the large coral block that sits just 2 meters under the surface at the end of the island of Kuramathi near the sandbank.
DivePoint Guraidhoo, Guraidhoo

Kuramathi Queen (Wreck) (★4.5)

This 40m long supply boat was sunk in 1987. Resting at a maximum depth of 20m, this site is perfect for all diving levels and, due to its sheltered location, makes a great night dive.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Reef Explorer (wreck) (★4.6)

The Reef Explorer is a 30m fishing boat resting at 12-16m, just a 5-min boat ride from Rasdhoo. Its shallow depth makes it perfect for all divers, including beginners and night dive enthusiasts. Be mindful of potential currents and maintain good buoyancy control near the sandy bottom.
Mares

Rasdhoo Try Dive Area (★4.5)

This is a suitable area for Try Dives and confined water training dives. It is at the public beach of Rasdhoo near the harbor. There is a sandy spot for kneeling.
Rasdhoo Dive and Watersports, 09020 Rasdhoo

Madivaru Channel (★4.6)

Rasdhoo Madivaru is a channel located at the intersection of the local islands of Rasdhoo and Madivaru. Dive along the edge of parallel or perpendicular reef formations across the channel and explore the sandy areas.
Mares

Cambra Beach (★0.0)

Nice shallow beach wich sandy bottom perfect to practice skills or trying diving for the first time. Depending on the tide 100m off the shore you can reach about 5meters deep. Perfect for when the winds blow from west, really protect and with no waves.
Mares

Madivaru Corner (★4.7)

This dive site starts as a wall dive and leads into the channel, here you can enter the channel to enjoy a deeper dive or stay on the drop off point of the channel where you can enjoy all the fish life in the current.
Scubapro

Hammerhead Shark Point (★4.4)

Hammerhead Shark Point is situated in front of Madivaru, although the sharks can be encountered as far south as Kuramathi, east and in front of Rasdhoo, or anywhere in the blue or even reef side. Some luck is clearly involved in spotting these majestic creatures and there is not only one way to dive the shark point.
Mares

Rasdhoo Ferry Terminal (★4.6)

This dive site is located at the harbour of Rasdhoo and suitable for confined water training. There are stairs leading into the water from the pier. Please always use a surface marker buoy.
Aqualung

Madivaru Beyru (★4.6)

Next to the famous Madivaru Corner you can enjoy this 40m deep vertical wall full of coral and life. Good for any diver level. Strong current, can be found in this dive spot
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Madivaru Finolhu (★4.6)

It is ten minutes from Kuramathi and right next to the famous Madivaru Corner. The wall dive starts shallow within 5m and drops to the outside of the Atoll. It is perfect for drift diving, shallow dives, and deep dives.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Kuramathi Caves (★4.5)

These caverns are located on the western side of the atoll past the Kuramathi Resort sandbank. There are many large overhangs here, but also two caverns through which divers can swim (one at 18-20 meters, the other at 28-30 meters).
DivePoint Guraidhoo, Guraidhoo

Madi Gaa (★4.6)

This cleaning station is located quite far (6.5km from Rasdhoo, 25mins by normal boat) inside the north channel of the atoll. The cleaning station is at just 12m depth and surrounded by a sandy bottom, making it perfect to kneel down at a distance to watch the manta ray cleaning show.
Mares

Rasdhoo North Channel (★4.5)

North Channel on the north/north-east side of Rasdhoo Atoll. The channel is relatively shallow and with average depth of 20 m is suitable for competent open water divers. The current can get quite strong here, so choosing the right time to visit is important.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Rasdhoo Miyaru Faru (★4.6)

The divesite is located at the northernmost point of the Rasdhoo atoll. There is a reef wall between 10-25 m and a reef slope descending into the deep water.
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Rasdhoo Beyru Kandu (★4.7)

The divesite is located in the north outside of the atoll. It is a vertical wall that continues in a reef slope at 25+ m. With some current a nice drift dive can be done. This dive is a good alternative should there be no manta at the cleaning station.