This dive site, Gulhi Dhigu Thila, is a quite long thila located in the pass between the local island of Gulhi and the resort of Anantara in the Maldives. While specific navigation details aren't provided, thilas are typically explored by circling the reef structure, often as a drift dive due to potential currents in the pass. No historical information is available for this particular site, but its location in a productive pass makes it a thriving marine ecosystem.
The thila is renowned for its vibrant marine life, featuring majestic sea fans, beautiful soft and hard corals, and gorgonians, creating a rich underwater ecosystem. Divers can expect to encounter a dense and thriving fish life, including large schools of red and blue-lined snappers, oriental and giant sweetlips, and bumphead parrotfish. The site is a hotspot for big marine animals such as grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, nurse sharks, marble stingrays, eagle rays, and occasional manta rays. Green and hawksbill turtles are also frequently sighted. For macro enthusiasts, the thila offers good opportunities to spot smaller critters.
The Maldives generally offers excellent diving conditions year-round, with specific seasons providing higher chances for certain pelagic encounters. Gulhi Dhigu Thila is a highlight for both wide-angle photography due to its stunning coral formations and large animal encounters, and macro photography for its small wonders. Due to its location in a pass, currents can be variable, making it suitable for intermediate divers comfortable with drift diving. Freedivers will appreciate the average depth of 12 meters, allowing ample bottom time to explore the diverse reef and marine life.
