Haa Alif & Haa Dhaalu Atolls · Maldives · Reef · Sand slope
Utheemu Reef
Grey reef sharks, nurse sharks and eagle rays on a current-swept slope
Area photo: Kirill Flerov · CC BY 3.0
An island reef off Utheemu in Haa Alif that starts shallow on the top reef and slopes or drops off to the sand at 25 m and more. It often carries a reasonable current, which brings frequent sightings of grey reef sharks, nurse sharks and eagle rays past older coral and rock formations, with schooling fusilier, snapper and jacks over the slope.
Where it is and how deep
6.8391° N, 73.1073° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
Drop onto the shallow top reef at Utheemu and follow the reef as it slopes and drops off toward the sand, which it reaches at 25 m and beyond. There is often a reasonable current running along the reef, so expect to move along the slope with it rather than hold a fixed circuit. The older coral and rock formations along the way are the terrain to explore between the open-water sightings.
The current is what brings the animals. Grey reef sharks, nurse sharks and eagle rays are frequent here, and rays and sharks in general are common along with schooling fusilier, snapper and jacks. There are macro subjects on the reef for divers who want to look closely between the big passes. Work back up the slope toward the top reef as your time runs down and finish shallow before the safety stop.
Marine life and season
- Reef sharks
- Eagle rays
- Reef fish swarms
- Trevally & jacks
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Haa Alif & Haa Dhaalu Atolls: January to April is calm and clear with visibility to 30 m; the far north is dived most of the year, with June and July the roughest months of the southwest monsoon.
Know before you go
- A reasonable current often runs along the reef: follow the guide's direction and keep the group together on the slope.
Sources
- Utheemu Reef — Scubago
In The Logbook
- Where to see reef sharks on your first divesBig animals · 14 min read
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