Kuda Rah thila
3.5588°N 72.9230°E
Kuda Rah Thila
Kuda Rah Thila is a submerged coral pinnacle near Kuda Rah Island in South Ari Atoll — “kuda rah” meaning “small island” — a richly encrusted thila with a reputation for strong shark presence and excellent soft coral growth.
Overview
Rising from a sandy floor at 30 metres to within 5 metres of the surface, Kuda Rah Thila has the classic submerged pinnacle profile that makes Maldivian thila diving so compelling. The summit plateau is a dense coral garden where anthias and chromis hover above intricate hard coral formations, providing an ideal setting for the safety stop. The flanks descend sharply, with the most impressive coral growth between 15 and 25 metres — sea fans, black coral, and soft coral plumes in orange, yellow, and white are prolific where current sweeps across the wall. Grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks are consistently present at these depths, often seen cruising close to the pinnacle base. Napoleon wrasse and large sweetlips patrol the mid-reef zone, and eagle rays are a regular bonus sighting. The site is frequently used by South Ari Atoll liveaboards and resort dive boats given its reliable marine life. Visibility averages 20–25 metres. Water temperature is 27–29°C.
Site Information
- Location: Maldives, Asia
- Entry Type: Boat dive
- Depth: Up to 30m
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Site Type: Pinnacle/seamount
Marine Life
Grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, sweetlips, anthias, chromis, sea fans, black coral, and soft coral growth on the flanks.
Diving Conditions
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Visibility | 20–25m |
| Current | Moderate |
| Water Temp | 27–29°C |
| Best Season | December–April |
Tips for Divers
Descend straight to the base of the pinnacle (25–30 m) to begin with the sharks before ascending through the coral zone. The soft corals are most colourful on the faces that receive the strongest current. Safety stops on the summit plateau are highly rewarding due to the fish density there.