Dive in Hembadhoo Wreck | Maldives
About This Activity
The Hembadhoo Wreck is a former tugboat intentionally sunk in 1988 as part of a marine conservation effort to create an artificial reef. Unlike many shipwrecks in the Maldives that met their fate due to accidents, this vessel was deliberately placed on the ocean floor to provide a new habitat for marine life and serve as an accessible wreck diving site.
Resting at a manageable depth of 22 meters, the Hembadhoo Wreck is one of the best dive sites for beginners and intermediate divers looking to explore a shipwreck without the challenges of deep diving. Over the years, it has transformed into a thriving marine sanctuary, attracting a wide range of marine species while offering divers an up-close experience of a sunken vessel.
Diving Experience
- Depth: 22 meters
- Location: Near Hembadhoo Island, North Malé Atoll
- Best For: Beginner and intermediate wreck divers
- Diving Conditions: Mild currents, good visibility, and calm waters
Diving the Hembadhoo Wreck is a relaxing yet immersive experience. The ship sits relatively intact, allowing divers to explore its exterior and interior easily. The wreck’s shallow depth ensures that divers can stay longer underwater, making it an excellent site for underwater photography and marine observation.
One of the highlights of the dive is the small reef wall near the wreck, where divers can finish their dive exploring additional marine biodiversity. This natural extension of the dive site offers a smooth transition from wreck diving to reef diving in a single dive session.
Marine Life Around the Wreck
The Hembadhoo Wreck has become home to an impressive variety of marine life, making it an exciting site for marine enthusiasts. Among the species frequently spotted here are:
- Schooling snappers and fusiliers weaving around the wreck
- Batfish and angelfish use the ship as a hiding spot
- Moray eels and scorpionfish lurking in the wreck’s crevices
- Soft corals, sea anemones, and sponges growing along the wreck’s hull
- Occasional stingrays and reef sharks glide through the deeper sections
This site is also a popular night diving spot, where nocturnal marine creatures, such as crabs, lobsters, and hunting lionfish, emerge from their hiding places, offering an entirely different perspective of the wreck.
Best Time to Dive
The Hembadhoo Wreck is diveable year-round, but the best conditions occur between November and April when the waters are most transparent and calmest. Since the wreck lies in relatively shallow waters, it is also an excellent site for divers looking to practice wreck penetration techniques in a controlled and safe environment.
Best time to Visit
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This is at its finest from November to April, providing an ideal setting for unforgettable experiences during these pleasant months.
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Year's busiest month is December
Required Time for Explore this Activity
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Visitors typically require around 3 hour to explore and enjoy its key highlights.
Activity Cost
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Cost Per Person: 100 USD to 200 USD