Banana Reef

Banana Reef sits in North Male Atoll in the Maldives and is one of the earliest reefs in the country to gain a reputation among divers, known for its curved, banana-like shape and steep drop-offs into channels. It is a coral reef dive featuring overhangs, small caves, and swim-throughs along its edges, with reef fish, moray eels, and reef sharks commonly reported. Depths generally range from around 5 to 30 metres, with the deeper edges and channel currents drawing more experienced divers, while the shallower coral areas suit less experienced ones. Currents can be moderate to strong depending on tide, which is part of why the site is often rated for intermediate to advanced divers.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• Pink WhiprayPateobatis faiReported here · unconfirmed
• Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatusReported here · unconfirmed
• Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkiiReported here · unconfirmed
• Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicusReported here · unconfirmed
• Powder Blue TangAcanthurus leucosternonReported here · unconfirmed
• Paletail UnicornfishNaso brevirostrisReported here · unconfirmed
• Spiny Cushion StarCulcita schmidelianaReported here · unconfirmed
• Schooling BannerfishHeniochus diphreutesReported here · unconfirmed
• Bluefin TrevallyCaranx melampygusReported here · unconfirmed
• Blacktip Reef SharkCarcharhinus melanopterusObserved near here · iNaturalist
• Moorish IdolZanclus cornutusObserved near here · iNaturalist