Ari Atoll Scuba Dive Sites

The Fesdu Wreck

This 30 metre long fishing trawler lies on a sandy bottom (hurrah!) having been sunk to form an artificial reef, and after a slow start it has, over the past decade or so, become fully colonized with marine life. The bow of the wreck points north and at 30 metres is slightly deeper than the stern which sits at 27 metres deep.

The surface of the wreck has become encrusted with sponges and well as hard and soft corals, tubastrea and feather-stars. Look out for the variety of nudibranchs to be found here feeding on the sponges.

Within the wreck you can spot a vast array of life including huge, dense clouds of glassfish in the wheelhouse as well as anthias, butterflyfish and slow-moving lionfish. There are also more substantial residents in what is quite a large wreck so look out for moray eels, red-mouthed groupers and blue-fin trevally.

Most dive guides will recommend against penetration since the passages are very narrow and there are a limited number of exits. Most dives consist of a full circle of the wreck and an exploration of its shallowest sections before then moving over in a westerly direction to a nearby thila. You will probably explore around this pinnacle until you arrive at its shallowest section at around 12 metres, before then ascending to your safety stop.

Fesdu Wreck Basics: Wreck dive and pinnacle
Depth: 12 - 30m
Visibility: 10 - 25m
Currents: Gentle
Surface Conditions: Normally calm
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: All year round
Distance: 1km southwest of Fesdu on the north side of Viligili Falhu
Access: Maldive liveaboard

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