Banana Reef.

Type

Reef

Depth

5–30 m

Skill level

intermediate

Current

variable

Best season

Year-round; Dec–Apr best visibility

Banana Reef (Gaathugiri) is a banana-shaped reef about 300 m long in North Malé Atoll, near Kuda Kalhi roughly 8 km from Malé, and was the Maldives' first protected marine area (1989). Depths run from about 5 m to 30 m over dramatic cliffs, overhangs and caves. Marine life includes groupers, snappers, jacks, Napoleon wrasse, moray eels, sharks and barracuda. Currents can be moderate to strong; the calmest conditions are December to May.