HP Reef Girifushi Thila - a small island in the middle of a body of water
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HP Reef Girifushi Thila

5
·3 reviews·Himmafushi, Maldives

A world-class thila in North Ari Atoll, HP Reef is a magnet for sharks, rays, and schooling fish, offering thrilling drift dives.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime dives

Optimal visibility for marine life

CrowdMedium
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HP Reef Girifushi Thila - a small island in the middle of a body of water

HP Reef Girifushi Thila

Best Time

Daytime dives

Optimal visibility for marine life

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A world-class thila in North Ari Atoll, HP Reef is a magnet for sharks, rays, and schooling fish, offering thrilling drift dives.

5
(3 reviews)

"Incredible marine life and exhilarating drift dives make HP Reef a must for experienced divers."

Vertical photo
TIP

Certified Divers Only

This site is best suited for experienced divers due to potential currents. Ensure your certification is up-to-date. :diving_mask:

Go with a Reputable Dive Center

Local dive operators know the best times and conditions for HP Reef. Book in advance! :boat:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Sharks and Rays Galore

Sharks and Rays Galore

Witness grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and other pelagics in their natural habitat. A truly exhilarating underwater spectacle.

Vibrant Coral Gardens

Vibrant Coral Gardens

Explore a kaleidoscope of healthy corals teeming with colorful reef fish. A photographer's dream underwater.

Strong Currents

Strong Currents

Experience exhilarating drift dives as you glide effortlessly through nutrient-rich waters. Requires advanced diving skills.

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Planning Your Visit

Dive into the Blue

HP Reef (Girifushi Thila) is a renowned dive site in North Ari Atoll, famous for its vibrant coral formations and abundant marine life. Plan your visit during daylight hours for the best visibility. Ensure you have appropriate dive certifications and gear, as conditions can vary.

Marine Life Encounters

This thila is a hotspot for diverse marine species, including sharks, rays, and schools of fish. Respect the underwater ecosystem by not touching coral or disturbing wildlife. Experienced divers often report incredible sightings here.

Best Times

When
Daytime dives
Why
Optimal visibility for marine life
Crowd
Medium
When
Dry season (Dec-Apr)
Why
Calmer seas, clearer waters
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Diving North Ari Atoll in Maldives

Certified Divers Only

This site is best suited for experienced divers due to potential currents. Ensure your certification is up-to-date. :diving_mask:

Go with a Reputable Dive Center

Local dive operators know the best times and conditions for HP Reef. Book in advance! :boat:

Respect the Marine Life

Avoid touching coral or feeding fish. Observe from a distance to preserve this delicate ecosystem. :ocean:

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Tips

from all over the internet

Certified Divers Only

This site is best suited for experienced divers due to potential currents. Ensure your certification is up-to-date. :diving_mask:

Go with a Reputable Dive Center

Local dive operators know the best times and conditions for HP Reef. Book in advance! :boat:

Respect the Marine Life

Avoid touching coral or feeding fish. Observe from a distance to preserve this delicate ecosystem. :ocean:

What Travellers Say

5
(3 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise HP Reef for its incredible marine life, particularly the abundance of sharks and rays, and the vibrant coral formations. The exhilarating drift dives are a major highlight for experienced divers. However, the strong currents mean it's not suitable for beginners, and some find the dive trips can be pricey.

"أفضل مكان"

زينب مهدي عبود

"deluxe"

عبد الله البديري

"good"

سلطان كلبي

What People Like

Abundant sharks and rays
Vibrant coral gardens
Exhilarating drift dives

What People Dislike

Strong currents (not for beginners)
Can be expensive

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

HP Reef is located in the North Ari Atoll. Access is typically via liveaboard boats or day trips organized by dive centers from nearby islands like Himmafushi or Malé. The journey involves a boat ride, so check with your chosen dive operator for specific timings and meeting points. Reddit

Many divers opt for liveaboard trips that cover multiple dive sites in North Ari Atoll, including HP Reef. Alternatively, you can stay on a local island and arrange day trips with dive centers. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

While there isn't a specific 'ticket' for HP Reef itself, you will need to pay for a dive trip organized by a licensed dive center. These fees usually cover boat transport, guide, and sometimes equipment rental. Reddit

Dive centers typically operate from early morning to late afternoon, with multiple dive slots available throughout the day. It's best to confirm the schedule directly with your chosen operator. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

HP Reef is famous for its abundance of grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and large schools of fish like fusiliers and snappers. You might also spot turtles, moray eels, and various reef fish. Reddit

Due to potential strong currents, HP Reef is generally recommended for advanced or experienced divers. Beginners might find sites like Fishhead or Maya Thila more manageable. Reddit

Conditions can vary, but expect potential currents that make for exciting drift dives. Visibility is usually excellent, especially during the dry season. Water temperatures are consistently warm. Reddit

Bring your dive certification card, logbook, sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle. Most dive centers provide tanks and weights; inquire about other gear rental. :divingmask: :sunwith_face:

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

HP Reef is an underwater dive site, so there are no food facilities directly there. Dive boats usually provide water and sometimes snacks. If you're on a day trip, you might have lunch on the boat or on a nearby island. Reddit

Maldivian cuisine often features fresh seafood, rice, and curries. Liveaboards and dive centers usually offer buffet-style meals with a mix of local and international dishes. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The sheer density of marine life, especially schools of fish and sharks, makes for dramatic underwater photography. The vibrant coral formations also offer stunning backdrops. :camerawithflash:

Use a wide-angle lens for the large schools of fish and sharks. For coral shots, a macro lens can capture intricate details. Ensure your camera is properly housed for underwater use and consider strobes for better color rendition. :camerawithflash:

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

HP Reef is primarily an advanced dive site and not suitable for families with young children or beginner swimmers. The strong currents and depth require experienced divers. For families visiting the Maldives, consider exploring the house reefs of resort islands or local islands, which often offer calmer waters and abundant shallow-water marine life suitable for snorkeling and introductory dives. Many resorts also have dedicated kids' clubs and shallow lagoons perfect for family fun. Reddit

💰 Budget Travelers

Diving HP Reef can be an investment, as it typically requires booking with a dive center or liveaboard, which can be costly. Budget travelers might find more affordable options by staying on local islands like Himmafushi or Maafushi and arranging day trips to nearby dive sites. While HP Reef might be a premium dive, exploring other accessible reefs and enjoying the local island experience can be a more budget-friendly way to experience the Maldives. Reddit

💑 Couples

For couples seeking an adventurous and romantic underwater experience, HP Reef offers an unforgettable dive. The thrill of drifting alongside sharks and rays in a vibrant coral garden can be a shared, adrenaline-pumping memory. Consider a liveaboard trip for a more intimate and comprehensive Maldivian diving adventure, often including romantic sunset views and starlit dinners. Alternatively, many resorts offer private dive excursions for a more personalized experience. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Diving HP Reef: An Advanced Diver's Paradise

HP Reef, also known as Girifushi Thila, is a world-class dive site located in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldives. It's a thila, an underwater pinnacle that rises from the seabed, creating a rich ecosystem that attracts a dazzling array of marine life. This site is particularly famous for its strong currents, which bring nutrient-rich waters, supporting vibrant coral growth and attracting large pelagic species. Due to these currents, HP Reef is best suited for advanced divers who are comfortable with drift diving and have good buoyancy control. The dive typically involves descending to the top of the thila and then drifting along its contours, encountering schools of fish and sharks. Reddit

Divers often describe the experience as exhilarating, with the currents carrying them past grey reef sharks, eagle rays, and massive schools of fusiliers and snappers. The top of the thila is adorned with healthy soft and hard corals, providing a colorful backdrop for the abundant fish life. It's a place where you can witness the raw power and beauty of the ocean. Many dive operators in the North Ari Atoll include HP Reef in their itineraries, often as part of a multi-day liveaboard trip or as a dedicated day excursion. Reddit

When planning your dive, remember that conditions can change. Always listen to your dive guide, who will assess the currents and plan the safest and most rewarding entry and exit points. The best time for diving HP Reef is generally during the dry season (December to April) when seas are calmer and visibility is at its peak. However, even outside these months, the site offers incredible diving opportunities for those prepared for its dynamic nature. Reddit

Marine Biodiversity Hotspot

HP Reef is a testament to the Maldives' incredible marine biodiversity. The thila acts as a natural aggregation point for marine life, fueled by the consistent currents that sweep through the area. This constant flow of nutrients supports a thriving coral reef ecosystem, which in turn provides food and shelter for a vast number of fish species. It's not uncommon to see hundreds of fish swirling around the pinnacle, creating a mesmerizing underwater spectacle. Reddit

Beyond the reef fish, HP Reef is a prime location for spotting larger marine animals. Grey reef sharks are a common sight, often seen patrolling the edges of the thila or cruising in the blue. Eagle rays gracefully glide through the water, their wing-like fins propelling them effortlessly. Divers have also reported sightings of manta rays and even whale sharks in the wider vicinity, though these encounters are less predictable. The sheer density and variety of life make HP Reef a must-visit for any serious diver or underwater photographer. Reddit

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