Dong Giri
3.9058°N 73.3800°E · reef
Overview
Dong Giri is a giri reef structure in South Malé Atoll — a compact, submerged coral mound rising from the atoll floor. These isolated reef heads are characteristic of the Maldivian atoll interior and act as oases of marine life on otherwise featureless sandy floors. Dong Giri is a straightforward, enjoyable site well suited to a relaxed dive focused on close-up marine life observation.
Diving
The giri’s summit is in relatively shallow water, allowing extended bottom time throughout the dive. Divers typically circle the structure clockwise and counterclockwise, exploring different faces and the overhangs and crevices that shelter the resident fauna. Nurse sharks are often found in the hollows around the base, and moray eels occupy crevices at multiple depths.
The top of the giri is carpeted with hard corals and attended by schools of reef fish. Blue-striped snapper and fusilier school above the structure, and trevally make hunting passes through the aggregations. Hawksbill turtles are regular visitors, grazing on the sponge growth.
Practical Notes
A calm site suitable for a relaxed pace or photography dive. Current is usually minimal. Good visibility year-round: typically 15–25 m. Boat access from South Malé Atoll resorts.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
81 verified species observations (48 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1984 and 2023, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Gnatholepis
- Trimma emeryi
- Trimma flammeum
- Trimma striatum
- Hetereleotris zanzibarensis
- Eviota nebulosa
- Trimma naudei
- Phyllidia alyta
- Pteraeolidia ianthina
- Mariaglaja inornata
- Phyllidiella rosans
- Aplysia nigrocincta
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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