The Big Cave
Protected Area
Lhazikuraadi/Hakura Thila
Why dive here
With 148+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles and whale sharks - The Big Cave offers some of South Ari Atoll's richest cave diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest April, May, July.
The Big Cave in South Ari Atoll is exactly what it sounds like – a decent sized cave. You'll find it at about 29 meters, and while it's not a deep penetration dive, it's a good spot for newer divers to experience some overhead environment without feeling overwhelmed. Inside, you often spot sleeping reef sharks tucked away, sometimes a turtle taking a nap, and the light play from the entrance can be really pretty on a sunny day. It’s a comfortable dive, good for a second or third dip of the day when you're looking for something a bit different from the usual channel drifts.
Typical The Big Cave Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 29m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Overhead environment - never enter without proper cave/cavern training, redundant equipment, and a guideline.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for The Big Cave
The Big Cave Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for The Big Cave, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (3.49, 72.9) (16km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.3–30.9°C
Air Temperature
28°C
82°F
Wind Speed
7.42 m/s
14.4 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.7 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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