Siyam World’s new Maldives dive is built to become a living reef

Siyam World has added a new dive site in the Maldives, but this one comes with a slightly unusual backstory. In Noonu Atoll, a former tuna freighter now sits beneath the water as part of a project that is expected to develop into a living reef over time.

Called Wreck to Reef, the initiative sits under Sun Siyam Cares and brings together diving and marine conservation. The idea is simple: give certified divers something new to explore while encouraging coral growth and reef development over time.

The vessel dates back to the 1980s and was originally used to transport Maldivian tuna between the atolls and Malé. It was cleaned, prepared and scuttled in Siyam World’s territorial waters in October 2024, though the sinking did not go entirely to plan.

Trapped air caused the ship to settle upside down on the seabed. A local team later rotated it upright using air bags and ropes, leaving the wreck with its bow at around 10 metres and its stern reaching 24 metres.

The wreck is already attracting marine life. Sharks, rays, turtles, octopus, moray eels and schools of fish have been recorded around the site, while coral has started to establish itself on the structure.

Guests can also get involved through coral planting sessions, placing fragments directly onto the wreck to help support the reef’s development. The site will be monitored every three months, with coral growth and wider biodiversity tracked by the resort’s marine team.

The first edition of Wreck to Reef ran from 11 to 15 June 2026 and included opening dives, coral planting, marine talks, reef clean-ups, island visits and a closing gala. More importantly, it offered visitors the chance to contribute to a project that should continue evolving long after they have returned home.

For divers, it adds another reason to head below the surface in a destination already known for its marine life. For the resort, it is an attempt to create something that extends beyond a single event, with the real story only beginning once the wreck starts to become a reef.