Rihivelhi Caves - South Malé Atoll

Rihivelhi Caves offers a nice exploration for intermediate divers. Dropping down to 19 meters, you'll find a series of overhangs and small caverns to duck into, creating some interesting light play as the sun filters through the openings. We’ve seen plenty of nurse sharks here, often tucked away in the darker recesses, and a good scattering of reef fish around the coral blocks outside the main cave system. It’s not a deep or demanding dive, making it a good option when you want something a bit different from the standard channel drifts.

Location
South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
3.814300, 73.382500
Type
cave
Maximum Depth
19m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: K.Guraidhoo Kan'duolhi

Best Time to Dive in South Malé Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in South Malé Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.5°C
  • February: 28.8°C
  • March: 29.4°C
  • April: 30.4°C
  • May: 30.1°C
  • June: 29.6°C
  • July: 29.7°C
  • August: 29.6°C
  • September: 29.4°C
  • October: 29.3°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 29.0°C

Nearby Dive Sites in South Malé Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to Rihivelhi Caves

Marine Life in South Malé Atoll

Home to 106 recorded species including 44 reef fish, 41 hard corals, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Rihivelhi Caves

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 19 cm/s.

  • 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