Coral Faru
3.8237°N 73.3720°E · reef
Overview
Coral Faru is a faru reef formation in South Malé Atoll. The name says it plainly — this is a site defined by its coral growth. The reef features a broad, sunlit top and outer slopes colonised by an extensive variety of hard corals. Healthy reef structure is the defining characteristic here, making it a prime example of the Maldivian atoll reef ecosystem at its best.
Diving
Diving begins on the outer reef corner and follows the slope downward through zones of increasing coral complexity. Table corals spread in impressive formations across the upper 5–15 m range, while the deeper slope transitions to more massive coral structures and barrel sponges. The sandy bottom at 25 m has scattered coral bommies that provide shelter for stingrays and sleeping reef sharks.
Schooling fish life is strong on the reef, with dense aggregations of pyramid butterflyfish, surgeonfish, and parrotfish. The outer face is visited by Napoleon wrasse and occasional pelagics passing through the atoll.
Practical Notes
A good all-round reef dive suitable for intermediate divers. Minimal current at most tidal phases. Visibility typically 15–25 m. Boat access from South Malé Atoll resorts and liveaboards.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
39 verified species observations (24 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1984 and 2018, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Cyphastrea microphthalma
- Favites pentagona
- Coscinaraea monile
- Galaxea astreata
- Actinodendron arboreum
- Goniastrea pectinata
- Leptodius sanguineus
- Leptodius gracilis
- Leptodius nudipes
- Xanthias lamarckii
- Ocypode ceratophthalmus
- Ocypode cordimana
Scientific survey records skew toward sampled taxa (molluscs, corals) and do not reflect what you are guaranteed to see on a dive.
Source: OBIS (obis.org), aggregated Darwin Core occurrence records.
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