Admiral 3
Protected Area
K.Guraidhoo Kan'duolhi
Why dive here
With 100+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue sharks, sea turtles, spinner dolphins and whale sharks - Admiral 3 offers some of South Malé Atoll's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 29-30°C, warmest April, May, July.
Admiral 3 isn’t the oldest wreck in the Maldives, but we love its accessible depth and the way it’s become a living reef. This is a purposeful sinking, a 30-meter steel vessel put down years ago to create an artificial reef. You’ll find it sitting upright on a sandy bottom at 23 meters, making it an ideal first wreck dive. The ship itself is largely intact. You can swim through the cargo hold, which is now home to schools of glassfish that shimmer like a liquid curtain. Look out for the resident moray eels peeking from crevices and the occasional turtle resting on the deck. Our favourite part? The entire superstructure is draped in soft corals, purple and orange, swaying gently in the mild currents. Visibility here is usually excellent, often 20 meters or more, which makes for some great wide-angle shots of the wreck against the blue. It’s a perfect dive for beginners wanting to experience a proper wreck, and for photographers looking for a colourful, easily navigable subject.
Typical Admiral 3 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 23m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Admiral 3 Wreck History
Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
unknown
Much like its nearby counterpart "Admiral 1," the history of the wreck known as "Admiral 3" is not one of naval combat but of purposeful reef creation. This vessel, likely a former fishing boat or small coastal freighter, was deliberately sunk in the South Malé Atoll to foster a new underwater ecosystem for divers to enjoy. Lying on a sandy bottom at 23 meters, it has been thoroughly reclaimed by the ocean. The structure, though small, acts as a magnet for life in the open water. Divers can expect to find lionfish hunting in its shadows, anemones with resident clownfish clinging to its rails, and a variety of reef fish that now call this sunken vessel home. Its unknown past only adds to the charm of discovering the new life that thrives upon it.
Nearest Dive Centres to Admiral 3
Dive shops near Admiral 3
Tauchcenter
Fiha Dive Center
Dolphin Base - NextGen Pvt Ltd
Sun Diving School
DivePoint Guraidhoo
Ocean Paradise
Reviews for Admiral 3
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Admiral 3
Admiral 3 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Admiral 3, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
29.6°C
85°F
Current Speed
18.03 cm/s
Direction: SE (146.3°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.25 mg/m³
Clear water
Salinity
34.93 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
Book a dive trip in South Malé Atoll
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking
Where to Stay near Admiral 3
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.