GAAVIYA - North Malé Atoll

Gaaviya, a sailing vessel, sits upright on the sandy seabed of North Malé Atoll, its masts long since toppled. Dropping down, you feel the cooler water hit you around 15 metres. We love how the wreck is almost entirely encrusted in hard corals, a testament to how long it’s been down there. Look closely, and you’ll spot a moray eel peeking from a porthole, or a school of glassfish shimmering around the bowsprit. Our favourite part is navigating the main deck, where batfish often hang out in the slight current, their flat bodies catching the light. It's a relaxed dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who enjoys the quiet solitude of an older wreck being reclaimed by the ocean. We'd suggest going in the morning; the light filters beautifully through the water, illuminating the colours of the corals.

Location
North Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
4.372667, 73.656830
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
0m

Marine Protected Area: K.Huraa Kan'doo Faa Sarahahdhu

Best Time to Dive in North Malé Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in North Malé Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.9°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.6°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.8°C
  • April: 30.9°C
  • May: 30.1°C
  • June: 29.6°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.6°C
  • September: 29.4°C
  • October: 29.2°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 29.0°C

Nearby Dive Sites in North Malé Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to GAAVIYA

Marine Life in North Malé Atoll

Home to 101 recorded species including 42 reef fish, 41 hard corals, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for GAAVIYA

Based on average water temperature of 29.5°C, currents 10 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°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