Dongmaas Giri
3.9037°N 73.4023°E · reef
Overview
Dongmaas Giri is a submerged reef mound in South Malé Atoll, representing the classic Maldivian giri formation. Like other giri sites in the atoll, it functions as an isolated marine life hub on the sandy atoll floor, its hard substrate attracting corals, sponges, and the fish and invertebrates that depend on reef structure. The “Dongmaas” name distinguishes it from nearby Dong Giri, implying a related but distinct reef feature.
Diving
The dive follows the contour of the giri from its shallow summit down to the sandy base at 25 m. Hard corals cover the upper sections and soft corals and sea fans appear on the deeper walls. The overhangs around the midsection of the structure shelter resting nurse sharks and grouper during the day. Moray eels, mantis shrimp, and nudibranchs are among the smaller residents found by observant divers.
Schooling reef fish gather above and around the giri — blue-striped snapper, fusilier, and surgeonfish in considerable numbers. The site is productive for photography given the density of subjects.
Practical Notes
A versatile site suitable for multiple dives, with something to offer divers of different interests (pelagics, reef fish, macro). Visibility typically 15–25 m. Minimal current. Boat access from South Malé Atoll resorts.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
122 verified species observations (77 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
- Ascidiacea
- Naria
- Phyllidiella rosans
- Phyllidia alyta
- Naria helvola helvola · Honey Cowry
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.
Conditions change with the tide and the season. If you have dived this site, share what it was actually like — date, visibility, current, and what you saw. Real, recent reports from divers are exactly what this guide is built to collect.
Send a conditions report ›