Maldives — North Malé Atoll · boat
Banana Reef
Editorial plate — compiled from published sources, not yet confirmed by a verified diver. Dived here? Verify this plate.
Gaathugiri, near Kuda Kalhi
4.23500°N, 73.53300°E
Curving, banana-shaped outer reef near Malé, one of the Maldives' first-named dive sites, with caves, overhangs and big schools of reef fish.
- Depth
- 5–30 m
- Vis
- 20–30 m
- Current
- variable
- Health
- Unscored
—
Awaiting verified ratings
- Geo (surface approx.)
- 4.23500°N, 73.53300°E
- Entry / access
- boat
- Difficulty
- intermediate
Approximate position from published sources.
A roughly 300 m crescent of reef with cliffs, caves and overhangs mostly between 10 and 25 m and coral gardens in the shallows. Divers usually drift along the reef edge; one section is known for churning water. Its big draw is the density of fish, from bannerfish and snapper schools to groupers and passing reef sharks.
Open Water; experience in current helpful on stronger days
- Best season
- Year-round; Dec–Apr for best visibility
- Last reviewed
- 20 Oct 2026 by editorial
Hazards
- medium · Moderate to strong current at times, turbulent around overhangs
Marine life
Typical: bannerfish schools, grey reef shark, napoleon wrasse, oriental sweetlips, bluestripe snapper, moray eel, great barracuda, giant grouper
Durable site rating
Multi-axis score
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Condition reports
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Questions people search
How deep is Banana Reef?
5–30 m.
Is Banana Reef suitable for beginners?
intermediate — Open Water; experience in current helpful on stronger days
Sources
- Banana Reef — Resortlife Maldives dive site guide · Resortlife Maldives
Supports: depth, current, level, bestSeason, marineLife
- 25 Best Dive Sites in Maldives 2026 · aMaldives
Supports: depth, current, level, bestSeason
- Banana Reef — PADI dive site · PADI
Supports: depth, visibility, current, bestSeason
- North Male Atoll Diving, Central Atolls - Maldives · Dive The World
Supports: current, marineLife
- Diving in the Maldives · Wikipedia
Supports: current
Where sources disagree
Level: 'all diver levels' (PADI) and 'beginner to advanced' (aMaldives) vs intermediate (Resortlife). Current: gentle–moderate (PADI) vs moderate–strong (Resortlife, aMaldives, Dive The World). Min depth 3 m (PADI) vs 5 m.
Related sites
Other intermediate plates in Maldives — North Malé Atoll.
Durable multi-axis scores sit on the rating plate. File a timestamped condition report, CoralWatch colour, or debris card on today's report. Public averages stay verified-only. Book at an Andaman dive centre.