British Loyalty Wreck,Maldives

• The wreck's intact superstructure and open holds offering dramatic underwater scenery
• Dense coral, sponge and soft coral colonization covering the hull
• Regular sightings of large fish: groupers, trevally, jacks and occasional reef sharks
• Pelagic encounters: barracuda, tuna and passing hammerheads (seasonal)
• Macro life in crevices: nudibranchs, small crustaceans and ghost pipefish

• Good overhangs and swim-throughs for experienced divers
• Well-developed coral growth turning the steel into a living reef
• Often strong currents that bring nutrient-rich water and attract big fish
• Photogenic wreck silhouette and schooling fish that create striking images

• Advanced wreck diving (recommended certification and experience beyond open-water level)
• Drift diving around the wreck when currents are present
• Underwater photography — wide-angle for structure, macro for small inhabitants
• Liveaboard trips — most common way to reach and dive the site
• Snorkeling is generally not suitable because the wreck lies at depth

November to April (dry season) for the clearest water and calmer seas; shoulder months can still offer very good diving but expect more variable conditions.

Tropical maritime climate; warm year-round (air 26–31°C). During the dry season expect calm seas and clearer water; the southwest monsoon (May–October) can bring stronger winds and rain.

There is no separate public entry fee for the wreck itself, but expect standard dive operation costs (per-dive fees, guide fees) and any applicable marine park or protected-area fees charged by operators. Dive schedules depend on liveaboard or day-boat itineraries; dives typically occur in daylight hours with possible early-morning pelagic runs.

Accessible only by boat — most commonly via liveaboard dive boats or organised day trips from nearby atolls. Reaching the Maldives international gateway (Velana International Airport, Malé) is the first step; transfers to liveaboards or domestic flights + speedboat transfers are common. Environmental conditions (currents, sea state) mean the wreck is best attempted with an experienced local operator.

Include the wreck as part of a 3–7 day liveaboard trip or as a scheduled day-dive if based on a nearby resort. For photographers or those targeting multiple pelagic encounters, 5–7 days is better.

Advanced dive certification and logged deep-wreck experience recommended. Gear suggestions: 3–5 mm wetsuit (depending on season), reef-safe sunscreen, dive light for interior/crevice exploration, SMB/DSM B, dive computer, and a redundant air source for deeper wreck dives. Bring a camera with wide-angle lens and strobes for best results.

Enjoy Maldivian cuisine onboard or on inhabited islands — fresh tuna (mas huni), curries, coconut-based dishes. Popular souvenirs include lacquered wood boxes, woven mats (thundu), local jewelry, and reef-friendly textiles. Always buy from licensed vendors and respect customs around religious observances.