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Housereef West

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.1 12 species 15 contributors

Housereef West is a year-round house reef dive off Reethi Beach in Baa Atoll, Maldives, with active community data and coral monitoring.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryBleachingRiskFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Hawksbill turtle

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
Housereef West location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
11 kn
Wave
0.56 m
Water
29.6°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: W (53%)
Now: W (279°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.61m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.5m), Low 10:00 (+0.33m)

+0.7 m+0.1 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.5m ▼ 10:00 · +0.33m ▲ 15:00 · +0.46m ▼ 22:00 · +0.07m Now +0.3m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9.25 · very high Air PM2.55 · good 05:57 18:04
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 12.2 0.62 9 2mm
09-20 14.5 0.66 9 19mm
09-21 14.3 0.7 9 5mm
09-22 14.3 0.72 9 6mm
09-23 15.7 0.78 8 1mm
09-24 18.1 0.94 8 3mm
09-25 17.5 0.98 8 13mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 1.7°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch

About this spot

Housereef West sits in Baa Atoll, one of the Maldives' most biodiverse atolls, accessed directly from Reethi Beach. The reef lies outside the atoll's marine protected area, making it accessible for recreational diving. Species observations logged by the dive community number 12 distinct entries, providing a solid baseline for what you're likely to encounter. Three community-submitted videos offer real-world footage of conditions and marine life at the site. This is a year-round destination, meaning stable access across all seasons. However, conditions vary month to month, so checking current reports before booking makes sense. The reef supports healthy coral systems, though like most Indo-Pacific reefs it warrants monitoring for bleaching stress—a factor worth tracking as you plan your trip. Housereef West appeals to divers seeking convenient access and authentic local reef ecology without the added logistics of boat travel to distant pinnacles or channels. The community data backing this site—video documentation and species logs—reflects active interest and regular visits from divers familiar with Baa Atoll's character.

📖 Guide: Diving in the Maldives: 156 Sites, Mantas & What to Know

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Hawksbill turtle

Dive types

ReefShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type D/G/J/K/L · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8420km · ~1937kg · €35

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 10h east · 7 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Housereef West?

Year-round access is available. The Maldives operates as a dive destination throughout the year, though seasonal weather and water conditions shift. Check current trip reports and local weather before booking to match your preferences for rainfall and sea state.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Depth and difficulty ratings for Housereef West are not formally documented. Consult local dive operators at Reethi Beach or review community videos to assess whether conditions match your experience level.

What marine life lives here?

Twelve species observations have been logged by the diving community at this site. Review species records and the three available community videos to see specific marine life documented by recent divers. Baa Atoll generally supports abundant reef fish, sharks, rays, and coral ecosystems.

Do I need permits or clearance to dive here?

Housereef West lies outside the atoll's marine protected area, so access is open to recreational divers. Standard Maldives immigration and dive operator protocols apply. Confirm local rules with your chosen operator before arrival.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Joy Dive Dreamland

4.3 km
4.1 (38 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified
Hours: Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 6:00 PM

Fehi Velaa Dive

8.6 km
5.0 (24 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 27+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sea Explorer

0.2 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

52 records · 50 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Physeter macrocephalus

Sperm whale
Mammalia · Physeteridae
OBIS
Last seen:
16 Apr 2022
×1records

Leuclathrina translucida

Calcarea · Dendyidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Sept 2015
×1records
Depth:
15–23 m

Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark
Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 May 2014
×1records

Physonectae

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Aglaura

Hydrozoa · Rhopalonematidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Rhopalonema velatum

Hydrozoa · Rhopalonematidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Laomediidae

Malacostraca · Laomediidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Euphausia

Malacostraca · Euphausiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Thaliacea

Thaliacea
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Solmundella bitentaculata

Hydrozoa · Solmundaeginidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Sergestidae

Malacostraca · Sergestidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Doliolida

Thaliacea
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Apr 2010
×1records
Depth:
0–514 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Octopus at Makunudu house reef, North Male Atoll, Maldives

BruSweeney

Maldives Snorkeling and Scuba, Rangali + Mandhoo Islands

Ryan Heacock

Copy of The Maldives 1991 Diving only video on Bandos house reef

Mackenzie Moulton

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #Mapy.cz user, please verify: "This beach is cancelled". https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/749875444"

    Tajtrdlik · 2024-01-18
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #Mapy.cz user, please verify: "There is located a beach"."

    Tajtrdlik · 2024-01-18
  • "onosm.org submitted note from a business: name: Dharavandhoo Beach phone: website: www.dharavandhoo.com twitter: undefined hours: always open category: ,Beaches address:"

    anonymous · 2020-01-03
wind peaks May-Jul-Jun, calmest Nov-Mar-Apr, dry Jan-Jun.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Feb (100/100) Worst: May (0/100) Now: Sep (89/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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Bodu Gaa

Bodu Gaa is a year-round dive site in Baa Atoll, Maldives, with 12 recorded species observations and moderate coral monitoring attention.

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