North Male Maldives Dive Sites

Girifushi Thila

Also known as HP Reef and Rainbow Reef

A combination of an array of colour and the sheer numbers of fish to be found here is what makes Girifushi Thila one of the highest rated dive sites in the Maldives. Constant current means lots of nutrients and large numbers of fish often hanging motionless in large schools which you will pass by as the current sweeps you along.

The thila (submerged pinnacle), which at its shallowest is at 12 metres, is located just off the main reef of Himmafushi Island, and is dappled with overhangs and crevices as well as large boulders. However the most memorable feature of the site is the incredible array of soft corals in a riot of yellow, pink, blue and orange, flanked by black corals and gorgonian fans, and interspersed with innumerable tunicates.

The topography of the site is also worthy of mention. To the southwest you will find the overhangs and swim-throughs. Here there is a cave with a chimney that rises from 25 metres to about 10 metres and is worthy of investigation.

You should look out for opportunities to duck into the rock formations for shelter from the currents. From these vantage points you can relax a little and take in the sights. Keep an eye out for snappers and jacks as well as boxfish, three-spot angelfish, lionfish and yellow-mouth moray eels. Larger fish also are regulars here so, with luck, you can expect to see eagle rays, barracuda, tuna and grey reef sharks.

If a red flag is being flown from the shore this means that the nearby army training camp is on rifle exercise so the site cannot be dived. Otherwise the site is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip. Maldives liveaboards, often by popular demand, find themselves diving Girifushi Thila more than once - a measure of its quality.

Girifushi Thila Basics: Submerged pinnacle (thila)
Depth: 10 - 40m
Visibility: 20 - 30m
Currents: Strong and constant
Surface Conditions: Can be choppy
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Advanced
Number of dive sites: 2 (sometimes part of the site is referred to as HP Reef)
Diving Season: All year round. Liveaboards less likely to visit May to July
Distance: Just off Himmafushi Kandu, 17km from Male Town
Access: Liveaboard

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