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.
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How to get to Kuredu snorkeling spot?
Kuredu is located 150 kilometers from Male International Airport and is reachable by seaplane in approximately 45 minutes. It is only accessible to Kuredu Island Resort & Spa guests. Flights will be arranged by the resort.
Water entrance for snorkeling 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 on the northern side.
Kuredu snorkeling tips
There are two main snorkeling areas in Kuredu, extending south and north of the Island. Both areas feature 300 to 350 meters-wide reef flats, edged by spectacular reef drop-offs.
Zone 1 – The Southern reef
It is the safest snorkeling area in Kuredu, and the only one that is recommended by the resort and suitable for beginners. On this side of the island, the sea is calm, with almost no waves or currents.
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), and covered with sand, rocks and some coral. Although there are interesting sights on the reef flat (damselfish, triggerfish, parrotfish and small octopuses), it gets more vibrant as you get closer to the reef drop-off.
Here, the reef plunges abruptly down toward the 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 damsels, blue-green parrotfish, sea turtles, eagle rays and even small sharks can be spotted.
Zone 2 – The 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 fishier than the southern one, with more chances to spot big fauna. Here, snorkelers can get up close to several species of rays (stingrays, spotted eagle rays, and occasionally ornate eagle rays), loads of green sea turtles (and some hawksbills too), and blacktip reef sharks.
Please keep in mind that only the more experienced snorkelers can venture into this area, and only when the sea conditions allow. Postpone your snorkeling if the sea conditions are poor.
Restaurants and accommodation in Kuredu
Kuredu Island Resort & Spa features seven restaurants. Most of the guests opt for half or full-board plans.
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