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Renowned for its long white sand beach, calm and clear waters, Kuredu is Lhaviyani Atoll’s most popular resort island. The reefs fringing the island are easily accessible to snorkelers and filled with a diverse range of fish and coral. Just under the surface, you’ll also have great opportunities to see big marine life: plenty of green and hawksbill sea turtles, reef sharks, and several species of eagle rays and stingrays.

How to get to Kuredu snorkeling spot?

Kuredu is located 150 kilometers from Male International Airport and reachable by seaplane in approximately 45 minutes. It is only accessible to Kuredu Island Resort & Spa guests. Flights can be arranged with the resort.

Black triggerfish in Kuredu
Black triggerfish and sergeant majors on northern reef’s reef flat

Entering the water in Kuredu

Whether you want to snorkel the northern or southern reef, you will enter the water from sandy beaches. To explore the house reef south of the island (zone 1 on the map, which is the snorkeling area recommended by the resort), enter the water from the main beach, just left to the pontoon, in front of the swimming pool area. To explore the reef drop off north of the island (zone 2 on the map), enter the water from the beach area at the northeast end of the water villa row, right in front of beach bungalow 441 (see map). This second option is only for experienced snorkelers, as it can be a dangerous area if the waves are breaking on the reef or if currents are present. Check tides and sea conditions at the Dive Shop before snorkeling the northern side.

Kuredu snorkeling map, Maldives

Kuredu snorkeling tips

There are two main snorkeling areas in Kuredu, extending south and north of the Island. Both areas are made of 300 to 350 meters-wide reef flats, edged by spectacular reef drop offs.

Zone 1 – Southern reef
It is the safest snorkeling area in Kuredu, and the only that is recommended by the resort and suitable for beginners. On this side of the island, the sea is calm, with almost no wave or current. Departing from the beach, you will have to swim some 300 meters over the reef flat to reach the drop off. The reef flat itself is shallow (↕3-6ft/1-2m), covered with sand, rocks and some coral. Although there are interesting sights on the reef flat (damselfish, triggerfish, parrotfish and small octopuses), the spectacle takes on another dimension when you get closer to the reef drop-off. Here, the reef plunges abruptly down toward ocean’s depth (↕15-45ft/5-15m). Along the drop off, coral is not spectacular but the marine life is varied: schools of hundreds of chocolate-chip damsel, blue-green parrotfish, sea turtles, eagle ray and even small sharks can be spotted.

Hawksbill sea turtle on Kuredu s drop off
Hawksbill sea turtle above south reef drop off

Zone 2 – Northern reef
The northern reef has more or less the same profile that the southern one: from the beach, a 300m swim over the shallow reef flat is necessary to reach the drop off. Nevertheless, the sea conditions are different, with potential waves and currents. Moreover, the reef flat starts with pretty sharp dead coral, so you should not snorkel it at low tide. The northern reef’s drop off is the best preserved, and it is more fishy than the southern one, with more chances to spot big fauna. Here, snorkelers can get up-close to several species of rays (stingray, eagle ray, and sometimes ornate eagle ray), many green sea turtles (and some hawksbill too), and blacktip reef sharks. Please keep in mind that only the more experienced snorkelers can adventure in this area, and only when the sea conditions allows. Be careful and postpone your snorkeling if sea conditions are poor.

Snorkeling with blacktip reef shark in Kuredu
Blacktip reef shark on northern reef’s reef flat

Restaurants and accommodation in Kuredu

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa features seven restaurants. Most of guests opt for half or full board plans.



 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth2m/6ft on the reef flat, 8m/25ft on the drop off
  • Water entranceFrom sandy beaches
  • Visitor numbersMedium
  • Access costsFree for Kuredu Island Resort and Spa guests
  • Restaurants nearbyYes
  • Public toilets & showersYes

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.