This dive site, Van’gaaru, is a thila or pinnacle located in the remote southern part of Shaviyani Atoll in the Maldives. Due to a sparse tourism infrastructure with very few guesthouses or resorts in the area, it is primarily accessed via liveaboard. No specific history or detailed navigation information is provided beyond its type, a typical Maldivian reef structure.
Van’gaaru is celebrated for its truly exceptional marine life, often described as immersing divers into a "bowl of living fish soup." Divers can expect to encounter vast schools of various reef fish, including snappers, fusiliers, and jacks, alongside common Maldivian residents like reef sharks, groupers, and turtles. The thila structure also supports a diverse array of healthy hard and soft corals, providing shelter and sustenance for the ecosystem.
The best time to visit the Maldives for diving is generally during the dry season from December to May, offering optimal visibility and conditions, though good diving is possible year-round. This site is highly suitable for both snorkeling and freediving due to its relatively shallow average depth of 9 meters and rich marine life near the surface. Scuba divers should be prepared for potentially variable currents that contribute significantly to the site's vibrant ecosystem and abundance of fish life.
