Kahambu Giri

Kahambu Giri is a coral head (giri) dive in South Male Atoll — a shallow, dome-shaped coral formation rising from the sandy lagoon floor and surrounded by an exceptional density of reef fish and resident turtles.

Overview

In Maldivian diving terminology, a giri is a coral head or dome that rises from the sandy lagoon or atoll floor without breaking the surface — shallower and often smaller than a thila, and typically found in more sheltered lagoon waters. Kahambu Giri conforms to this pattern, with its summit at around 5–8 metres and its base touching sandy ground at 25 metres. The coral head itself is encrusted with a diverse mix of hard and soft corals, with sea fans and black coral on the deeper flanks and branching Acropora and brain corals on the shallower dome. Schools of glassfish and anthias swarm around the structure, attracting trevally and barracuda. Hawksbill turtles are regular residents, and Napoleon wrasse make predictable appearances at depth. The sandy base around the giri hosts blue-spotted stingrays and the occasional resting nurse shark. Visibility ranges 15–25 metres. Water temperature averages 27–29°C.

Site Information

• Location: Maldives, Asia
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Depth: Up to 25m
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Site Type: Reef

Marine Life

Hawksbill turtles, Napoleon wrasse, nurse sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, barracuda, glassfish swarms, anthias, and trevally. Sea fans and black coral on deeper flanks.

Diving Conditions

Condition	Details
Visibility	15–25m
Current	Light
Water Temp	27–29°C
Best Season	Year-round

Tips for Divers

Circle the giri at depth first, then work upward to the dome for the safety stop. The glassfish aggregations on the shallower part of the structure can be very dense and make excellent macro and wide-angle subjects. Check the sandy surround for stingrays and nurse sharks before ascending.

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