Dhigurah Arches

Dhigurah Arches

Location: South Ari Atoll, near Dhigurah Island, Maldives Depth: 5–25 m Difficulty: Intermediate Entry: Boat

Overview

Dhigurah Arches is a distinctive cave and arch site near Dhigurah Island in South Ari Atoll. Natural rock arches and caverns have formed in the reef structure here, creating a site with an unusual topography for the Maldives. Dhigurah Island is also famous as one of the best access points for whale shark encounters in South Ari Atoll — one of the world’s most reliable whale shark zones.

Diving

The arches themselves are the defining feature: natural passages formed by the reef that divers can swim through, with sunlight streaming in from open water on either side. The dimensions of the arches vary, and some sections require careful buoyancy management to navigate without disturbing the coral and sponge growth on the arch surfaces.

Outside the arch formations, the reef continues as a typical outer reef slope with corals, sea fans, and resident reef life. Whale shark sightings are a genuine possibility throughout a dive in this area, as the sharks frequent South Ari Atoll year-round, with peak numbers during the southwest monsoon.

Marine Life

• Whale sharks (South Ari Atoll, year-round with peaks May–November)
• Hawksbill turtles
• Moray eels and grouper (in arch recesses)
• Napoleon wrasse
• Grey reef sharks and nurse sharks

Practical Notes

Arch and cave sections require good buoyancy control to avoid contact with the formations. Swimthroughs should be assessed individually for size and light availability before entry. The addition of potential whale shark encounters makes this a must-dive site in South Ari Atoll. Visibility typically 15–25 m.