Vavathi Kurolhi
Dive Club Noku - Noonu Atoll
About this Dive Site
Vavathi Kurolhi (Christmas Tree) – Dive Site Overview
Location
Vavathi Kurolhi, also known as “Christmas Tree”, is located on the outer reef of an uninhabited island in Noonu Atoll, north of Kuda-Funafaru.
Dive Site Type
Pinnacle / Thila dive with stacked formations, sloping reef, overhangs, and sandy bottom
Ideal for reef exploration, open water training, and beginner dives
Depth & Topography
Reef top: ~5 meters
Maximum depth: ~18–20 meters
Features overhangs, deeper walls, gentle slopes, and coral-covered pinnacles
Diving Conditions
Currents: Mild to moderate, often creating drift opportunities along the reef
Visibility: Excellent during the dry season, typically 20–25 meters or more
Water Temperature: ~26–30°C (80–86°F)
Best dived December–April for visibility; May–November offers manta ray potential
Marine Life
Fish Schools: Fusiliers, snappers, sweetlips, bannerfish, batfish
Sharks: Grey reef sharks, potential for nurse sharks resting under coral blocks
Macro & Reef Life: Moray eels, leaf scorpionfish, nudibranchs, soft corals, purple whip corals, gorgonians
Larger Species: Groupers, Napoleon wrasse, Hawksbill turtles
Recommended Experience Level
Suitable for beginner to intermediate divers
Gentle slopes and mild currents make it ideal for check dives and open water training
Tips for Divers
Explore the NE or SW corners depending on current for maximum fish activity
Look for nurse sharks hiding under coral formations
Observe large schools of fusiliers and snappers around the pinnacles
Highlights
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Dive Type: Pinnacle / Thila with sloping reef, overhangs, and sandy bottom
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Depth Range: 5–18 meters
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Topography: Stacked pinnacles, overhangs, gentle slopes, and walls
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Marine Life: Fusiliers, snappers, sweetlips, bannerfish, batfish, moray eels, leaf scorpionfish, nudibranchs, groupers, Napoleon wrasse, Hawksbill turtles, grey reef sharks, nurse sharks
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Currents: Mild to moderate
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Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
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Best Season: December–April for visibility; May–November for manta encounters
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Highlights: Colorful reef, abundant fish schools, soft corals, gentle slopes, ideal for training dives
Dive Site Information
- Reef Type
- Thila
- Experience
- Beginner
- Depth
- 5m - 20m
- Visibility
- 5
- Current
- Mild
- Best Season
- December to April
Nearby Dive Sites
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