BLOG

As we continue in our series on some of Vakarufalhi’s dive sites in the South Ari Atoll, we would like to introduce you to Hukuru Elhi Faru.

Being a bit of a mouthful to pronounce, Hukuru Elhi Faru was very quickly nicknamed ‘Manta Point’. And for good reason.

Located on the western side of the South Ari Atoll, Manta Point has been a firm favorite for divers and snorkelers for many years. Manta Point picked up its nickname due to the regular sightings of Manta Rays that visit the reef to be cleaned.

The long stretch of reef is dotted with numerous cleaning stations that the Mantas cruise over to remove unwanted parasites and to spruce themselves up. Although sightings are possible the whole year, the area peaks in Manta activity between January and April, where daily sightings are almost a certainty.

What’s also incredible about the reef is the sheer volume of fish life there is.  If you can tear your eyes away from the Manta action, watch out for the enormous school of Blue Stripe Snappers, the schooling Phantom Banner Fish (complete with ridiculously long ‘eye lashes’) and the endless stream of Moray Eels.

Trips to Manta Point are regular from Vakarufalhi, and it is also not uncommon to see Manta Rays feeding on the surface on the way to and from the dive site.

The following movie offers a snapshot from one dive on Hukuru Elhi Faru a.k.a. Manta Point:

[flv:Hukuru_Elhi_Faru.flv 480 272]