Kudarah Thila

A small, protected thila in South Ari, about 1 km from Kudarah island, made of several coral heads with a plateau near 12 m and two large overhangs, a small arch and coral blocks dropping to 30 m and more. Soft corals, large sea fans and black coral cover the reef, schools of blue-lined snapper and fusiliers swirl around it, and jacks hunt while whitetip and grey reef sharks patrol. Pink anemones carpet the plateau.

Facts

• Region: Maldives – North & Central Atolls
• Area: South Ari Atoll
• Depth: 12–30 m
• Level: advanced
• Current: strong
• Type: pinnacle, drift
• Coordinates: 3.55794, 72.9218
• Highlights: soft coral, sea fans, black coral, blue-lined snapper, fusiliers, sweetlips, batfish, jacks, whitetip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, turtles, anemonefish, swim-throughs/overhangs
• Tips: Swirling currents make it an advanced dive; nitrox is useful. Designated a marine park in 1995. Listed as a protected area by the Maldivian government (fishing and anchoring are not allowed) – do not touch the reef or collect anything.

Sources

• https://www.padi.com/dive-site/maldives/kudarah-thila/
• https://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-maldives-ari-atoll.php
• https://resortlife.travel/dive-sites/kudarah-thila-south-ari
• https://statisticsmaldives.gov.mv/yearbook2009/Environment/2.1.htm