Gangehi
Gangehi Island · Ari Atoll East
3°58.3'N 72°52.7'E
Depth
5–16m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
75m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
75m
75m radius — sand bottom gives reliable holding. Eastern reef wall provides good shelter from NE trades. Western exposure means SW monsoon swells can reach the anchorage — depart before May.
About This Anchorage
Gangehi is a small resort island on the eastern rim of Ari Atoll (Alif Alif), roughly 50nm west of Malé. The anchorage in the lee of the island's reef offers good sand holding with protection from the northeast trades. Ari Atoll is world-renowned for whale shark encounters — the eastern rim offers consistent whale shark sightings year-round, but particularly November through April. The underwater topography around Gangehi includes dramatic reef walls, overhangs, and thilas (submerged reef pinnacles) with extraordinary marine life. This is a deep-water destination suitable for experienced blue-water crews.
Protected From
E · NE · N
Exposed To
W · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Permit fee applies
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Maldives Yacht Cruising Permit required. Ari Atoll is in the permit zone — verify your permit covers Ari Atoll before departing Malé. Resort island — do not land without resort permission.
Restrictions: No landing on resort island without prior arrangement. Do not disturb whale sharks — maintain minimum 3m distance and no touching. Observe dive site mooring buoy rules.
Hazards
- !Open water passage from Malé — 50nm through open Indian Ocean
- !Whale shark areas — dive boats operating at all hours
- !Outer atoll position means swell exposure in SW monsoon
- !Coral heads in lagoon approach
Skipper's Tips
- →Leave Malé at dawn for Gangehi — arrive before dusk for safe lagoon entry
- →File a float plan with Malé port control before the offshore passage
- →Whale shark snorkelling directly from the boat — extraordinary experience
- →Use dive boat VHF channels to learn current whale shark locations
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Malé (50nm)
Best Months & Season
December, January, February, March, April
December to April in the NE monsoon. Whale sharks are present year-round in Ari Atoll but January–April offers the best combination of calm seas and whale shark density.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 75m
In the Maldives, tidal currents and unexpected Indian Ocean swells can put a drifting boat on a reef without warning. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can explore the underwater world and relax on the beach with confidence.
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