Turtle Reef - South Malé Atoll

Turtle Reef in South Malé Atoll is a solid pick for divers looking for a relaxed experience. It’s a shallow site, maxing out at 18 meters, which makes it an easy entry for beginners or anyone wanting a longer bottom time without pushing depth limits. We often find several green sea turtles here, usually munching away on the corals or just hanging out in the gentle current. It’s not the most dramatic reef in the Maldives, but the consistent turtle sightings make it a reliable and enjoyable dive. Expect a calm drift and plenty of time to really watch the turtles go about their day.

Location
South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
4.051700, 73.543600
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
18m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: K.Embudhoo 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 Turtle Reef

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 Turtle Reef

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