Reef Explorer (wreck) - North Ari Atoll
The Reef Explorer wreck in North Ari Atoll is a relaxed dive, a small, intact vessel sitting upright on the sandy bottom at 17 metres. We’ve found it’s a good spot for a second dive of the day, or for newer divers looking to get comfortable with wrecks. You can swim through the holds and the bridge easily enough, keeping an eye out for resident batfish and the occasional lionfish tucked into a shadowy corner. There’s usually a decent number of glassfish swirling around the superstructure, making for some nice photos without needing to fight any current. It’s not a dramatic wreck, but it's a pleasant one.
- Location
- North Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- 4.262200, 72.985800
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 17m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Rasdhoo-Madivaru Sarahahdhu
Best Time to Dive in North Ari Atoll
The warmest water temperatures in North Ari Atoll occur in January, averaging 28.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.7°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.7°C (air: 27.5°C)
- February: 28.7°C (air: 27.8°C)
- March: 28.7°C (air: 28.0°C)
- April: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
- May: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
- June: 28.7°C (air: 28.5°C)
- July: 28.7°C (air: 28.1°C)
- August: 28.7°C (air: 27.9°C)
- September: 28.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
- October: 28.7°C (air: 27.6°C)
- November: 28.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
- December: 28.7°C (air: 27.5°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in North Ari Atoll
- Bathala Maaga Kan
- Bathala Tila
- Bodu Ashey
- Bodu Gah
- Cambra Beach - 18m
- Caves (cave)
- De faru
- De faru reef (reef)
- Fushi Faru - 23m (reef)
- Gangehi Kandu North - 21m (drift)
- Hafsa Thila - 15-30m (pinnacle)
- Hammerhead Point
- Hammerhead Point, Rasdhoo Atoll
- Holi Faru
- Kuramathi Caves - 24m (cave)
Nearest Dive Centres to Reef Explorer (wreck)
- Azure Dive and Water Sports Centre - ["PADI"]
- Bodu Manta Diving
- Coco Dive Dhuni Kolhu - ["PADI"]
- Dive Butler Finolhu - ["PADI"]
- Dive Club Buoyancy - SSI
- Drop Dive Maldives - SSI
Marine Life in North Ari Atoll
Home to 138 recorded species including 82 hard corals, 38 reef fish, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 2 sea cucumbers.
Notable Species
- Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
- Table coral (Acropora clathrata) - Hard Corals
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
- Long-beaked Dolphin (Stenella longirostris) - Whales & Dolphins
- Staghorn coral (Acropora lutkeni) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora secale) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora acuminata) - Hard Corals
- Wrinkle coral (Coscinaraea monile) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora paniculata) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora donei) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora aculeus) - Hard Corals
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora horrida) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora echinata) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora humilis) - Hard Corals
- Species code: Si (Syringodium isoetifolium) - Seagrass & Algae
- Staghorn coral (Acropora tenuis) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Reef Explorer (wreck)
Based on average water temperature of 28.7°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories