Nudibranch Encounters — March 2026
Nudibranch Encounters — March 2026
Dhawa Ihuru House Reef, Maldives
March diving at Dhawa Ihuru revealed a strong presence of nudibranch life across the house reef. With calm conditions and steady visibility, slow dives along rubble zones and reef edges brought out small but detailed encounters that are often missed.
- Location: Dhawa Ihuru
- Depth: around 15 m
- Conditions: calm to mild current
- Focus: macro reef life
Flabellina exoptata
This aeolid nudibranch stands out for its translucent body and clustered cerata, giving it a soft and almost floating appearance against the reef background.
Species like this are often found in calm areas where hydroids are present, feeding slowly and remaining exposed when undisturbed. Encounters like this reward patience and precise buoyancy control.
Glossodoris cincta
Recognizable by its broad mantle and distinct dark edge, this species is commonly referred to as the girdled glossodoris.
It is typically associated with sponge-rich areas of the reef, where it feeds and moves slowly across the substrate. Its bold edging and body structure make it one of the more noticeable nudibranchs on the reef.
Goniobranchus geometricus
This species features a patterned body with contrasting tones, blending into reef textures while still maintaining a distinctive outline.
Often found on reef substrate and coral rubble, it highlights how much diversity exists within a small area when dives are slowed down and attention is focused on detail.
Notes from the Dive
March conditions allowed consistent macro observation, especially on protected sections of the reef. Nudibranch activity appeared steady, with multiple species observed within relatively short dive durations.
The key to these encounters remains simple: slow movement, stable positioning, and scanning small areas carefully rather than covering large distances.
These moments are easy to overlook, but they often become the most memorable part of a dive.
Tags: nudibranch Maldives, Dhawa Ihuru, macro diving Maldives, underwater photography, reef life Maldives
