Divebase
4.0747°N 72.8878°E · reef
Overview
Divebase is a reef site on the western rim of North Malé Atoll. The name suggests a site that serves as a regular base of operations for diving in the area — a reliable, accessible reef used frequently by local dive operations and resorts. Western rim sites in North Malé Atoll face the open Indian Ocean and typically offer strong coral coverage and consistent shark activity.
Diving
The reef presents an outer wall dropping from the reef crest to the sandy floor at 25 m. The wall is well developed with coral formations, and the reef crest shelters substantial fish life. Grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks patrol the outer wall and are a consistent feature of dives here. Napoleon wrasse are regularly encountered.
The sandy floor areas between the reef base and scattered bommies provide resting spots for sharks and rays. The upper reef is a productive area for turtle encounters and observation of parrotfish and surgeonfish feeding on the coral.
Practical Notes
An accessible, reliable reef dive. Conditions are generally calm inside the atoll. Suitable for intermediate divers. Visibility typically 15–25 m. Boat access from western North Malé Atoll resorts and liveaboards.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
162 verified species observations (107 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1984 and 2017, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Rhinoclavis aspera
- Nembrotha cristata
- Terebra guttata
- Mitra mitra
- Terebra babylonia
- Chromodoris
- Hypselodoris emma
- Hastula solida
- Conus maldivus
- Monoplex aquatilis
- Bivalvia
- Conus emaciatus
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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