Banana Reef Maldives: A Complete Guide to One of the Best Dive Sites in the World

🌊 Banana Reef, Maldives: Dive into One of the World’s Most Iconic Coral Reefs

The Maldives is a dream destination for travelers seeking tropical beauty and underwater adventures. Among its hundreds of stunning dive spots, Banana Reef stands out as one of the first and most famous diving sites in the country — known for its dramatic cliffs, caves, colorful corals, and abundant marine life.
 

Located in the North Malé Atoll, Banana Reef is easily accessible, making it a top choice for both beginner and experienced divers. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes Banana Reef special, how to dive there, and what you can expect on your underwater journey.

📍 Where Is Banana Reef Located?

Atoll: North Malé Atoll

Coordinates: Approx. 4°12'55"N, 73°33'45"E

Distance from Malé: ~20 minutes by speedboat

Access: By boat from nearby dive resorts or Malé

🤿 What Makes Banana Reef Special?

Banana Reef was one of the first dive sites discovered in the Maldives, and its banana-shaped reef, teeming with marine biodiversity and geological formations, has captivated divers ever since.

Top Features:

Stunning coral overhangs and cliffs

Thrilling caves and swim-throughs

A chance to see sharks, rays, barracudas, moray eels, and more

Strong currents in some areas, making it ideal for drift dives

Great visibility (15–30 meters)

🌤️ Best Time to Dive at Banana Reef

For optimal conditions, plan your trip between January and April, when the ocean is clearest and calmest.

🐠 Marine Life at Banana Reef

Diving Banana Reef is like entering an underwater metropolis of marine activity. Divers are treated to an impressive variety of tropical species, including:

🌟 Common Sightings:

Bannerfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish

Napoleon wrasses, groupers, and snappers

Moray eels peeking from crevices

Reef sharks, blacktip sharks, and occasionally whitetips

Eagle rays gliding past schools of fusiliers

Colorful nudibranchs and macro life for keen-eyed divers

💡 Don’t forget to look up — large pelagics often cruise above the reef.

🧭 Dive Site Topography

Banana Reef offers a diverse underwater landscape with:

Sheer drop-offs and coral walls

Overhangs and caves filled with soft coral

Swim-through tunnels for experienced divers

Sandy bottom plateaus hosting resting rays and resting fish

Areas with mild to strong currents, making drift diving popular

Maximum depth is usually around 30 meters (100 feet).

🐬 Who Should Dive at Banana Reef?

✅ Suitable for:

Open Water certified divers (with guide)

Advanced divers

Underwater photographers

Drift diving enthusiasts

While the reef offers easy spots for novices, strong currents in deeper sections make it more thrilling for seasoned divers.

🛥️ How to Get to Banana Reef

Banana Reef is easily accessible from many parts of the Maldives:

From Malé:

20-30 minutes by speedboat

Daily dive trips from local dive centers and resorts

From Resort Islands:

Many resorts in North Malé Atoll offer organized dive excursions

Check with dive centers on Baros, Kurumba, Bandos, or Meeru

🏨 Where to Stay Near Banana Reef

Several resorts and guesthouses in the North Malé Atoll offer easy access to Banana Reef. Top recommendations include:

✦ Baros Maldives

Luxury eco-resort with a top-rated dive center

25-minute boat ride to Banana Reef

✦ Bandos Maldives

Family-friendly resort with its own dive school

Only 15 minutes away

✦ Kurumba Maldives

Affordable luxury, close to Malé and dive sites

PADI-certified dive instructors on-site

🏝️ Things to Do Besides Diving

Even if diving is your main activity, don’t miss out on other experiences:

Snorkeling safaris to nearby reefs

Sunset cruises and dolphin watching

Island hopping in the North Malé Atoll

Sandbank picnics and private dinners

📸 Best Photo Ops at Banana Reef

Schools of bannerfish and snappers near coral ledges

The dramatic reef wall drop-off

Close-ups of colorful soft corals and nudibranchs

Silhouettes of eagle rays and reef sharks in deeper blue

Bring a wide-angle lens and a macro setup if you're an underwater photography enthusiast.

🧳 What to Pack for Banana Reef

Dive certification card (Open Water or Advanced)

Reef-safe sunscreen

Underwater camera or GoPro

Wetsuit (3mm usually sufficient)

Dive logbook

Sea sickness pills if prone to motion sickness

🗓️ Sample Dive Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Check Dive

Arrive at resort

Gear check and orientation

Easy house reef dive to refresh skills

Day 2: Banana Reef + Second Dive

Morning dive at Banana Reef

Afternoon dive at Lankan Manta Point or Miyaru Faru

Day 3: Wreck or Night Dive

Optional third dive

Explore nearby wrecks or join a night dive to see the reef come alive

✅ Tips for Diving at Banana Reef

Dive with a local certified guide — they know the currents and best entry points

Use gloves or reef hooks in areas of strong current

Avoid touching the corals or marine animals

Stay neutrally buoyant to preserve the reef ecosystem

Always check weather and current forecasts

🔁 Nearby Dive Sites to Combine with Banana Reef

Miyaru Faru – Shark sightings and thrilling currents

Lankan Manta Point – Best for manta rays (seasonal)

Victory Wreck – A sunken cargo ship near Hulhulé

Maagiri Reef – Great for macro life and gentle diving

🌍 Why Visit Banana Reef?

Banana Reef offers the perfect blend of accessibility, beauty, and biodiversity. As one of the most iconic dive sites in the Maldives, it delivers an underwater adventure suitable for nearly every diver, whether you're diving for the first time or chasing your hundredth dive.

Its unique coral topography, dynamic marine life, and close proximity to Malé make it a must-visit on any Maldives diving itinerary.