News Desk
KULHUDHUFFUSHI — In an effort to draw more travellers to the northern atolls, the Kulhudhuffushi City Council has allocated funds in its latest municipal budget to intentionally scuttle a vessel off its shallow reef, creating a dedicated shipwreck and artificial diving attraction.
Mayor Mohamed Athif (MDP) announced the initiative during a public town hall meeting held on Thursday evening, where the council shared performance highlights from the first half of 2026 and laid out key upcoming projects.
The planned shipwreck is designed to serve as a magnet for dive tourism and eco-travel in an area that has traditionally seen less visitor traffic than the central resort clusters near Malé.
“Among the new items included in the budget, we have set aside funds to create a shipwreck on the Kulhudhuffushi reef,” Mayor Athif told residents. “The aim is to establish a distinct tourist attraction and build places of real interest for visitors in this region.”
Deliberately sinking retired vessels to construct artificial reefs is a well-established practice globally—from Florida’s extensive wreck-diving trails to purpose-sunk warships in Australia and Europe. When placed on sandy seabed areas, clean hulls quickly transform into thriving marine habitats, attracting coral encrustations, reef fish, and pelagic species while diverting diving pressure away from natural, fragile reef systems.
Mayor Athif emphasised that the project is part of a broader push to diversify the island’s local economy and generate long-term financial opportunities for residents.
“We are working to build community wealth and boost local prosperity,” Athif said. “Our main goal is to open up clear pathways for tourists to visit Kulhudhuffushi and explore the surrounding north.”
Alongside the marine project, the council has earmarked funding for cultural heritage preservation on land. The budget includes plans to restore and protect Tharijehi Ge—a historic landmark on the island over a century old—to ensure it survives as a heritage site for future generations.
