Rayvilla (Wreck) - South Ari Atoll

The Rayvilla wreck is our pick for a compact, rewarding wreck dive in South Ari. It’s a fishing trawler, not some grand historical vessel, but that’s its charm. Sunk deliberately years ago, it’s a relatively small wreck sitting upright on a sandy bottom at 28 metres. The bridge structure is mostly gone, but we love nosing around the engine room, which is still quite intact and safe for a quick peek inside. What makes it special is the way the soft corals have absolutely smothered the entire hull. There are huge gorgonian fans and colourful sponges everywhere, creating these incredible bursts of purple and orange against the blue. Schools of yellowfin goatfish hang around the bow, and we often spot whitetip reef sharks resting on the sand nearby or patrolling the perimeter. It’s a great intermediate dive, offering a proper wreck experience without strong currents or deep penetration. We’d suggest going in the late morning, when the sun angle really brings out the colours of the corals.

Location
South Ari Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
2.985400, 73.411100
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
28m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Lhazikuraadi/Hakura Thila

Best Time to Dive in South Ari Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in South 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: 27.9°C)
  • April: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
  • May: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
  • June: 28.7°C (air: 28.4°C)
  • July: 28.7°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • August: 28.7°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • September: 28.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
  • October: 28.7°C (air: 27.7°C)
  • November: 28.7°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • December: 28.7°C (air: 27.5°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in South Ari Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to Rayvilla (Wreck)

Marine Life in South Ari Atoll

Home to 152 recorded species including 85 hard corals, 50 reef fish, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Rayvilla (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