Alimatha Jetty

Alimatha Jetty (Felidhoo (Vaavu East))

Prepare for one of the Maldives' most iconic and exhilarating night dives at Alimatha Jetty, a truly unique dive site renowned for its spectacular marine encounters. This intermediate dive offers an unforgettable experience, particularly during the evening hours when the waters come alive.

Dive Overview

Alimatha Jetty is a shallow, sheltered sand-and-reef flat situated beside the working jetty of the Alimatha Aquatic Resort in Vaavu Atoll. The dive site is famous for a nightly phenomenon: resort staff clean the day's fish on the pier, and the discarded scraps attract a remarkable gathering of marine life. Divers will find themselves immersed in a bustling underwater spectacle, often settling onto a sand patch at a shallow depth to observe the action unfolding under the jetty lights.

Marine Life Encounters

The main draw at Alimatha Jetty is the virtually guaranteed encounter with dozens of Tawny Nurse Sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus), which can often number between 20-30 individuals and grow up to 3 meters in length. These gentle, bottom-dwelling sharks are a highlight, offering incredible close-up observation opportunities. Divers can also expect to see large Jenkins Whiprays (Pateobatis jenkinsii) and Pink Whiprays (Pateobatis fai), which are abundant at the site, along with Marble Rays (Taeniurops meyeni). Cruising through the illuminated waters, you can encounter Blacktip Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and impressive Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis) joining the feeding frenzy. Keep an eye out for other fascinating residents such as Giant Morays (Gymnothorax javanicus), schools of Bluestripe Snappers (Lutjanus kasmira), and occasionally, graceful Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata).

Diving Conditions

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Certification Required: Open Water certification is sufficient for this dive site.
• Depth: Divers will typically explore depths ranging from 1 m to 15 m, with much of the primary action occurring in the shallower sand patch around 5 m.
• Current: The site generally experiences mild to minimal currents, making it comfortable for most certified divers.
• Water Temperature: Expect pleasant water temperatures, typically ranging from 27°C to 31°C.
• Site Types: Reef, Shore

Hazards and Safety

While the marine life encounters are extraordinary, divers should be aware of specific hazards. The dense aggregation of large nurse sharks and barb-tailed whiprays, especially during a feeding frenzy, presents a risk of accidental bumps or tail-barb contact; a strict hands-off protocol is essential. There is also moderate boat traffic due to the active resort jetty. Although the current is generally mild, maintaining good buoyancy control is always advised. The "overhead environment" hazard refers to the jetty pilings themselves, which divers should navigate carefully, as there is no true penetration involved.

We recommend a careful, hands-off, and guided approach to fully enjoy this spectacular dive site while ensuring the safety of both divers and marine life.