A project has been launched to develop a marina and other facilities at Dhiyaneru lagoon in Kaafu Atoll to address the concerns within the safari tourism and live-aboard sector, the government has said. The dredging work, which has already begun under the supervision of Urbanco, has been awarded to Capital Marine and Civil Construction Company.
The project will be implemented in two phases, involving the dredging and reclamation of 24.6 hectares at Dhiyaneru Lagoon, which will be developed into four islands, comprising a marina island and three picnic islands.
The first phase will target the development of the marina island which will include a service centre in addition to providing access to fuelling services, electricity, water, sewerage services and waste management services for vessels. The marina is set to accommodate 500 vessels at a time.
Safaris and live-aboards have gained a lot of popularity across recent years, and is seen as a natural diversification of the tourism product in the Maldives.