Rangali Island (Ari South)
Rangali · Conrad Rangali · Alif Dhaal Rangali
3°32.3'N 72°40.9'E
Depth
8–25m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m radius — deeper water requires generous scope for reliable holding. Eastern reef provides NE monsoon shelter. This is an open-ocean atoll position — conditions can deteriorate rapidly. Increase radius at first sign of weather change.
About This Anchorage
Rangali Island in South Ari Atoll (Alif Dhaal) is famous as the location of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort — including the world's first underwater restaurant. More importantly for sailors, the waters around South Ari Atoll's southern rim are the Maldives' best location for year-round whale shark encounters. The South Ari Marine Protected Area (MPA) was established specifically to protect the resident whale shark population. Yachts can anchor off the eastern reef in sand while using the area as a base for extraordinary wildlife encounters. This is deep blue-water territory — 90nm from Malé over open Indian Ocean.
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. South Ari MPA regulations apply — no fishing, no touching marine life. Whale shark encounter rules strictly enforced: 3m minimum distance, no flash photography, no touching, snorkelling only (no SCUBA near whale sharks).
Restrictions: South Ari Marine Protected Area — no fishing or collecting. Whale shark encounters: snorkelling only, no SCUBA, minimum 3m distance, no touching, no blocking path. Resort waters — no landing without resort permission.
Hazards
- !90nm open ocean passage from Malé — ocean swell, shipping lanes
- !Deep water anchorage — drag risk if anchor not fully set
- !Dive and whale shark boat traffic intensive in daylight hours
- !SW monsoon makes this anchorage untenable and passage dangerous
- !Remote location — no rescue services nearby
Skipper's Tips
- →Allow 2 days for passage from Malé to Rangali — overnight anchorage en route at Ari Atoll east
- →Whale shark snorkelling from the dinghy is a profound experience — they approach to within metres
- →File float plan with Malé Port Control before departure
- →Carry extra fuel — long passage with no fuel stops
- →Contact local whale shark research station on VHF for current locations
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Malé (90nm)
Best Months & Season
December, January, February, March, April
December to April for NE monsoon. Whale sharks are present year-round in South Ari but conditions for anchoring and passage are only suitable in the dry season. Best whale shark density in January–March.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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