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Scuba diver exploring the vibrant marine life and coral reefs of Cozumel, Mexico.
📷 Matias Mango · Pexels

Rihiveli

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.1 12 species 17 contributors

Rihiveli is a year-round dive destination in the Maldives with reliable access and documented marine life observations.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Water temp
26–29°C
BleachingRiskPhotoFriendlyFamily-friendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Water temp
26–29 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Hawksbill turtle, Green sea turtle, Blacktip reef shark

Top operators here

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Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
10.3 kn
Wave
0.62 m
Water
29.6°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WSW (51%)
Now: W (269°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.68m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.56m), Low 10:00 (+0.37m)

+0.8 m+0.1 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.56m ▼ 10:00 · +0.37m ▲ 15:00 · +0.49m ▼ 22:00 · +0.13m Now +0.3m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV9.25 · very high Air PM2.54 · good 05:56 18:03
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 11.9 0.72 9 0mm
09-20 14.5 0.8 9 7mm
09-21 14.2 0.86 9 5mm
09-22 14.7 0.82 9 4mm
09-23 13.6 0.84 8 2mm
09-24 17.3 1.04 7 12mm
09-25 15 0.98 9 11mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions
DHW: 2.2°C-weeks · NOAA Coral Reef Watch
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (26–29°C)

About this spot

Rihiveli is a dive site in the Maldives accessible to divers throughout the year. The location sits outside a marine protected area, making it available for recreational diving operations. With 12 recorded species observations, the site supports diverse marine life typical of Maldivian reefs. Community documentation through 3 available videos provides visual reference for dive planning. The Maldives as a diving destination is known for warm, clear waters and healthy coral ecosystems, though Rihiveli is currently flagged for coral bleaching monitoring. This means divers should expect variable reef conditions and stay updated on seasonal coral health reports before booking. The site's year-round accessibility means you can plan trips based on your schedule rather than narrow seasonal windows. Divers visiting Rihiveli benefit from the Maldives' established infrastructure and dive operator network. Local operations typically include multi-dive packages and liveaboard options. Before diving, confirm current site conditions, marine life activity, and any local regulations with your dive operator, as conditions can shift with seasonal weather patterns.

📖 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 turtleGreen sea turtleBlacktip reef shark

Dive types

ReefBoat

Trip essentials

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

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🤿 Pack: 3/2 mm shorty
  • 📜 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%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8562km · ~1969kg · €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

What is the best time to dive Rihiveli?

Rihiveli is accessible year-round, so you can dive any month that suits your schedule. However, check current coral bleaching advisories and seasonal weather patterns with local operators before booking, as these affect water conditions and marine life activity.

What depth and difficulty level is Rihiveli?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not documented for this site. Contact your dive operator for accurate information on depth ranges, current strength, and recommended certification levels before your dive.

What marine life will I see at Rihiveli?

12 species observations have been recorded at Rihiveli, representing typical Maldivian reef life. Your operator can detail which species are currently active. Coral bleaching monitoring is underway, so reef health varies seasonally.

Are permits or special access required to dive Rihiveli?

Rihiveli is not within a marine protected area, so standard recreational diving applies. Your operator handles local registrations. Always confirm current requirements and any temporary closures or restrictions directly with your dive shop.

Operators near this spot

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

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving South Malé Atoll and Alimatha with Bluedream Rihiveli (January 2020)

Charly Clérisse

Extradivers Rihiveli Maldives - Bernardo and Julio with Hook-Eye

Hook-Eye

School of dolphines swimming peacefully in Rihiveli Lagoon (Maldives 🇲🇻)

Rexie MV
wind peaks May-Oct-Aug, calmest Nov-Apr-Mar, dry Jan-Jun, water 26-29°C.

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: Mar (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (92/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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Origandu Finolhu

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