Kudhi Maa Wreck

The Kudhi Maa (Kudhimaa) is a 52-metre steel vessel deliberately sunk in 1998 off the island of Machchafushi in South Ari Atoll, close to the Centara Grand Island Resort house reef.

Overview

The vessel was specially prepared before sinking in 1998 to create an artificial reef dive site for South Ari Atoll. It now sits upright with its masts rising to within 10 metres of the surface and the deepest sections at 30 metres — not the shallower depth sometimes cited in secondary sources. The hull has been well colonised since 1998: stonefish and lionfish occupy the top deck around 20 metres, alongside batfish, glassfish, and surgeonfish. Around the wreck, trevally hunt, and nurse sharks and stingrays are sometimes found on the seabed. Sources note occasional manta rays and reef sharks in the vicinity, though these are not confirmed to be wreck-specific sightings. Visibility in South Ari Atoll is typically 20–30 metres.

Site Information

• Location: South Ari Atoll, Maldives (off Machchafushi / Centara Grand Island)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Depth: Masts from 10 m; maximum 30 m
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Site Type: Wreck dive

Marine Life

Lionfish and stonefish on the top deck (~20 m), batfish, glassfish, surgeonfish, grouper, trevally, nurse sharks, stingrays. No site-specific records of whale sharks or manta rays resting on the wreck itself — those species may pass through the broader area.

Diving Conditions

Condition	Details
Visibility	20–30m
Current	Light to moderate
Water Temp	27–29°C
Best Season	Year-round

Tips for Divers

Bring a torch — the shadowed recesses of the top deck host the most interesting macro life. Penetration into enclosed spaces requires wreck diving training and is not without risk. The adjacent Machchafushi house reef can be included in the same dive on shallow sections.

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Sources: Visit Maldives Shipwrecks, Maldives Online Guide Kudhimaa Wreck, ZuBlu South Ari Atoll. Last updated 2026-06-15.