Dhigurah Arches - Vaavu Atoll

Dhigurah Arches, over in Vaavu Atoll, offers a nice change of pace from some of the open reef dives. It's not a huge cave system, more a series of overhangs and swim-throughs, which makes it approachable for most divers. We often find juvenile blacktip reef sharks resting in the sandy patches under the arches, tucked away from the main current. Look closely on the walls for some healthy staghorn and table corals, and occasionally a passing whale shark might cruise by in the blue just beyond the entrance. It's a relaxed dive, good for photographers or those looking for a bit of overhead environment without anything too dramatic.

Location
Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
3.540018, 72.915090
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Aa.Kudarah Thila

Best Time to Dive in Vaavu Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in Vaavu Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.5°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.7°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.4°C
  • April: 30.5°C
  • May: 30.1°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.8°C
  • August: 29.9°C
  • September: 29.8°C
  • October: 29.3°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 29.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Vaavu Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to Dhigurah Arches

Marine Life in Vaavu Atoll

Home to 53 recorded species including 20 reef fish, 9 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 4 sharks & rays, 4 crabs & lobsters, 3 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Dhigurah Arches

Based on average water temperature of 29.6°C, currents 19 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°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