Ari Atoll Diving Sites

The Halaveli Wreck

Since the sinking in 1990 of this 33 metre long freighter, the Halaveli Wreck has grown in popularity into what is now one of the Maldives' premier sites.

The wreck sits at a depth of 28 metres about 50 metres away from the main reef. You will most likely drop down the line from the marker buoy attached to the wreck and sink down to the main deck which lies at around 20 metres deep.

In and around the wreck you can see red-mouthed groupers, batfish, moray eels and lionfish who seem to just love the sheltered conditions that wrecks provide.

The wreck itself is well covered in a colourful array of soft corals but it is best known for the numerous blotched fantail rays that call it home. Some of these rays are big boys (their size no doubt helped by the feedings they have had by the local Ari Atoll dive operators). Because they are present in such numbers you should be careful not to do anything that could appear to be threatening to them. Remember they have a dangerous spine in their tails. Crikey!

This site is best visited in the afternoon after lunch when the stingrays are most likely to be there and active. Night dives are also great fun here providing contrast between investigating the nooks and crannies of the wreck to the arresting sight of a huge ray filling your torch beam.

Halaveli Wreck Reef Basics: Wreck dive
Depth: 18 - 28m
Visibility: 10 - 20m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface conditions: Usually calm
Water temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round.
Distance: On the Halaveli House Reef, 2 km northwest of Halaveli Resort island
Access: Maldive liveaboards

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