DIVE SITE
RANGALI MADIVARU

With the kind permission of iDive Maldives

Rangali Madivaru is a protected dive site located on the long northeast-southwest oriented reef, south of Rangaliifinohlu resort island in Maldives. This reef is surrounded by two channels and is a Manta rays cleaning station during the outgoing currents of the northeast monsoon. The northern part of the reef is a vertical wall, and the southern part is made of a gentle slope. The cleaning station is located at the channel entrance, where the slope joins an 8-10 meters-deep plateau. Rays can be observed on the reef and along the slope, and other small species can be encountered too, such as leaf fish, halimeda ghost pipefish, moray eels and schools of reef fish.

Divers can enter the water on the northern part of the site or directly at the cleaning station during outgoing currents, spending minimal time at the surface.
During outgoing currents, the current moves from the northern channel entrance on a north-south axis. The dive will take place along the wall. When Manta rays are present on the reef, divers should stay on the slope, and if rays are present along the slope, divers should stay on the reef.
Both the ascent and safety stop are performed on the reef or in open water, and the recovery by the dhoni will be done at the divers' exit point.

Before positioning themselves in order to observe the rays, divers should beware of moray eels hiding on the site, which can be very aggressive. Divers should always stay below the rays in order to observe them, and keep a proper distance not to disturb their natural habits. This dive site is interesting during the northeast monsoon and is suitable for beginners.