Official Maldives tourism page describing Banana Reef as one of North Malé Atoll’s most popular dive sites.
Coral reef and manta stop in North Malé Atoll.
Coral reef and manta stop in North Malé Atoll.
Banana Reef / Manta Point combines a classic North Malé Atoll reef with a seasonal manta cleaning station. Banana Reef brings coral, caves and overhangs, while Manta Point adds the big-ray action when the season and current line up. It is best approached as a boat dive with changing conditions and a mixed marine-life payoff.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
4m - 30m
Depth Note
Banana Reef runs from a shallow top to about 25-30 m, while Manta Point is a nearby manta station with cleaning stations and gentler flow.
Best Season
May to November for manta action; Banana Reef is diveable year-round.
Typical Conditions
Banana Reef is a coral-rich thila with caves and canyons; Manta Point is a seasonal cleaning station with light current and busy-ray periods.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Safety Notes
Check current and timing before committing. Banana Reef can be more demanding than Manta Point, so match the day to diver comfort.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; organise the run through a resort, dive center or liveaboard.
Legal Notes
Banana Reef is a protected marine area, so follow guide instructions and keep off the reef.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
A classic atoll dive mix: Banana Reef gives caves, overhangs and coral, while Manta Point adds seasonal manta action and cleaner-station behavior.
Snorkeling
Banana Reef is snorkel-friendly on calm days because parts of the reef are shallow and structurally clear from the surface.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Official Maldives tourism page describing Banana Reef as one of North Malé Atoll’s most popular dive sites.
Operator site guide with Banana Reef depth, coral structure, current notes and seasonal manta context.
Dive-center page with short boat transfer, easy level, light current and site highlights.
Independent Maldives seasonality article covering Manta Point timing and seasonal ray activity.
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