Diving in Maldives has always been an exciting and beautiful journey. Vibrant coral teeming with marine life, the crystal emerald waters of the lagoon, and the channels that stretches infinitely. As an archipelago surrounded by the bountiful Indian Ocean, you can be sure that deep secrets and wonderous marvels are waiting to be uncovered in the depths of the ocean. One such marvel is the shipwrecks in Maldives.
Wreck diving in Maldives has a sense of spectral wonder, blended in with bits of history, that makes it an unforgettable and tempting experience for divers around the world. Clumps of metal overtaken by coral and nature. A ship where once humans boarded, now concurred by the dwellers of the ocean. If you are keen on Maldives wreck diving, or simply a fan of history and discovery, here are some of the best shipwrecks in Maldives.
Vaavu Atoll Shipwreck Maldives
The shipwreck in Vaavu Atoll Maldives is bewildering. It displays a sense of tragedy, mystery, and beauty. Speculated to be an Indonesian vessel, the Vaavu Atoll Shipwreck is one of the most Insta worthy spots in Maldives. The ship is half-submerged in the bountiful Vaavu waters with the bow half peeking out of water. The best way to describe it would be a slanted half-submerged tower in the ocean.
Just a few kilometers away from Keyodhoo Island, the Vaavu Atoll Shipwreck has become a popular tourist attraction in the Maldives. Even among the Maldivians who are used to the heavenly sight of turquoise lagoons and white sandy beaches, the shipwreck is quite a spectacle. Lingering with corals and boasting with marine life, exploring the Maldives Vaavu Atoll Shipwreck would be a wreck divers dream.
To make the experience of diving in the shipwreck more special and memorable, you will find Vaavu Atoll Fullday snorkeling adventure packages combined with uninhabited island picnics and sunset dolphin cruises. It’s certainly a sight to behold and a reminder of why a holiday experience in Maldives is so special.
Maldives Victory Wreck
Maldives Victory wreck was one of the most renowned shipwrecks in the Maldives. However, after the construction of Sinamale’ Bridge, the shipwrecked face extensive damages. Today, the wreck is not in its former glorious state. Nevertheless, it’s a worthy mention in terms of history and past popularity in the Maldives.
The Victory nestles south-west of Hulhule reef in the Male’ Atoll, near to the international airport of Maldives. On the night of February 13th, 1981, the Victory was carrying cargo to Male’ from Singapore. It was prohibited for ships to enter the channels after dark. However, the captain decided to follow a large ship into port. His efforts were put to vain due to a miscalculated steering. The Victory hit the Hulhule reef resulting in a breached hull. She towed clear of the reed before sinking, and all crew and passengers were safe.
Before it closed down, the Victory got about 120 divers a day. It was not only a famous diving wreck in Maldives, but also around the globe. Water entry is through a rope attached to a buoy to mark the location of the Maldives Shipwreck. The currents are strong and a flashlight is recommended when exploring the remains Victory. Corals cover the ship and show signs of damage from the construction of the bridge. However, biodiversity has increased due to the decrease in direct human activity.
The Shipyard, Lhaviyani Atoll Maldives
The Shipyard is one of the biggest attractions of Lhaviyani Atoll Maldives. The bountiful water of the atoll is not blessed with one but two old shipwrecks in Maldives. Welcoming you to a world of underwater beauty in a rather dramatic manner is the bow of Skipjack II, emerging from the majestic waters of Lhaviyani Atoll ever so gracefully.
Skipjack II was used by a fish factory in 1985. When the time came, and she was no longer of use, the ship had to be scuppered. Surprisingly, this was not how the Skipjack II sank. On the way, the ship caught on fire and had to be cut loose due to fear of an explosion. She sank stern first. The second ship lies 40m away. Initially also in an upright position, she now lies 30m beneath the surface.
Today, soft and hard corals cover both the Maldives Shipwrecks. You can find yellow sweepers, butterflyfish, and Napoleon Wrasses, among other marine life. The Shipyard in Lhaviyani Atoll is also a hanging spot for nurse sharks and grey reef sharks. Currents may get strong at times, but with the right conditions, The Shipyard Lhaviyani Atoll is a great place for both experts and beginners.
Kuda Giri Wreck Maldives
Nestled on the west side of a small reef in Dhigu Finolhu is the Maldives Kuda Giri Wreck. Steel covered with corals, algae, sponges, among other species residing in it. The hull points towards the reef. The sunken ship provides an amazing Maldives wreck diving experience as divers can penetrate through certain parts of the vessel.
Kuda Giri is also home to a pinnacle with small overhangs and caverns for divers to explore to their heart’s content. The Kuda Giri pinnacle is home to frogfish, leaf fish, Maldivian clownfish, turtles, wrasses, eels, and octopi. On rare occasions, you could even spot the bizarre Guitarfish!
The Kuda Giri Wreck is beginner-friendly as well, with the bow of the ship located in a shallow part of the ocean. Be sure to bring a flashlight as the depths can get dark.
British Loyalty Wreck, Addu Atoll Maldives
British Loyalty is one of the biggest wrecks in the entirety of the Maldives. Covered with corals and bombarded with marine life, this is one of the best wreck diving in the Maldives experience.
The British Loyalty is a 5.583 oil tanker built at Newcastle in 1928! The ship portrays a remarkable history. In the Maldivian water, it got torpedoed by a submarine. This was the second successful torpedo attempt on the vessel! Remarkably this was not how the ship sank into the depths of the Indian Ocean. On January 5th, 1946, the British Loyalty was scuttled. The vessel was towed and sunk by the guns of a British warship.
Exploring the wonderful ruins of the British Loyalty is absolutely a magical journey. Hard and soft corals cover the entirety of the ship. Vibrant, small, and big aquatic life houses the enormous vessel. It’s certainly an awe-inspiring sight to behold. Divers can also see, presumably the battle scars of the ship, in the form of two huge holes on the dock of the British Loyalty. Two huge holes where divers can pass through to the other side of the ship!
For sailors, shipwrecks are a haunting sight; one that they dread to see. For divers, shipwrecks are marvellous havens teeming with corals and exciting marine life residing in them. The ocean that surrounds the Maldives certainly does not lack a wreck diving experience.
If you would like to know more about diving in Maldives, we recommend you read about our guide to scuba diving in Maldives, for the best dive sites and dive resorts that you can experience in the archipelago.