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Water Temp
- 26-29 degrees C
Experience Level - Beginner - Advanced
The Maldives is situated off the Western Seaboard of Southern
India stretching between the 7 degree meridian in the North to
just below the Equator in the South. The Atolls are actually
the tips of a submerged volcanic mountain range sculptured by
the ocean currents and overlaid with centuries of rich coral
growth. There are two main seasons, NE Current (Our Winter) and
South West Current (Our Summer), dictated by the prevailing winds
at the different times of year. Diving is good all year round,
although June is liable to be more rainy due to the period of
change from the NE monsoon to the SW. During the NE Monsoon the
clearer water is to be found on the East side of the Atolls.
Active currents bring in good predatory pelagic action, with
a variety of sharks and eagle rays, particularly in the channels.
At this time of year the nutrient rich waters on the West side
create a perfect environment for the large plankton feeders such
as Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. In the SW Monsoon the scenario
is reversed, the Mantas and Whale sharks migrate to sites more
on the Eastern side of the Atolls and predatory pelagic action
is found in the channels on the West side.
New divers to the area may come across local terminology that
they are not familiar with, here are some descriptions of different
dive site features.
Channels or Kandus
These are gaps or breaks in the outer reef of the Atoll where
the tidal and ocean currents wash onto and off the central lagoon,
often creating a hot spot of action especially during periods
of good current. It is not uncommon to see large numbers of Grey
or White tip sharks or large squadrons of Eagle Rays effortless
riding the incoming ocean streams in the channel mouths.
Thilas
A Thila is a submerged Coral Reef , typically with a flat surface
coming to between 9 and 12 metres of the surface. The sides often
have small caves and overhangs. These present some of the most
interesting and exiting dive sites as they attract a huge populous
of schooling fish and hard and soft coral growth. Thilas are
found both inside the Atolls and in the channels.
Giris
These are generally smaller round coral reefs that come within
a few metres of the surface, although still submerged. A similar
rich environment to a Thila, often with caves, overhangs and
swim throughs.
Out Reef
The fringing reef generally starts at around 2 metres depth,
shelving down to a forty metre shoulder and then plunging into
the ocean depths. Being on the outside of the Atoll the outreef
is subject to passing traffic. This is where Whalesharks, Mantas,
and Hammerheads and giant Tuna cruise above the deep water on
the outer fringes of the Maldives.
Haa Alifu, Haa
Dhaalu, Shaviani, Noonu
The large most Northerly Atoll of the Maldives is divided into
four areas:- Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviani, Noonu. There is
a commercial airfield in Haa Dhaalu with regular flights to and
from the capital Male some 450 kilometres to the South. Most
is yet unexplored by divers, although some expeditionary trips
have explored parts of Noonu. The Maldivian government have recently
passed legislation allowing this area to be opened for Tourism,
so there are expected to be tourist resorts here in the future,
but currently this huge area can only be dived from a liveaboard.
Baa Atol
The Atoll is divided by a 3 kilometre wide channel, with big
dropoffs into deep water. There are many channels on the Eastern
side with excellent Coral growth. Here again there is a huge
potential for discovering new dive sites as this Atoll is still
relatively unexplored. There is currently only one resort situated
at Sonevafushi on the South East of the Atoll.
Lhaviyani Atoll
This Atoll has many excellent channels. The Atoll is quite narrow
at it’s Northern end so dives can be planned on both East
and West side. Renown sites include the Kuredu Express, Fushifaru
Thila and the Shipyard, final resting place of two Japanese fishing
vessels. There are currently 3 resorts Kuredu, Komandoo and Guraidhoo.
Gaafaru Falhu
A small Atoll, almost enclosed by the fringing reef with three
channels. There are three known wrecks on the North side.
Lady Christine, a survey vessel sunk in 1974, The Erlangen, a
German cargo vessel sank 1894, and the SS Seagull, sunk in 1879.
North Male Atoll
Situated centrally in the Maldives this Atoll is home to the
nations capital Male, and the international airport. The diving
is varied with good channels on both the East and the West side
and some remarkable Thilas. Famous sites would include Lankan
Finolhu, where Mantas are reliably found in the SW monsoon season,
Nassimo Thila one of the prettiest soft coral sites in the islands,
Banana Reef teeming with fish, and HP reef, a beautiful nutrient
rich Thila, situated on the south East side of Male.
South Male Atoll
Crossing the Vaadhoo channel from Male we come into South Male
Atoll, one of the best know diving areas with many narrow channels
on the East Coast and also a variety of Giris and Thilas. Popular
dive locations would include Embudhoo Express, an exiting channel
dive, Guraidhoo Corner known for its sharks, rays and dolphin
encounters, Kandooma Thila on the outside of Cocoa Corner, with
sharks turtles, excellent coral and schooling fish, and the Kuda
Giri Wreck.
Rasdhoo
A small Atol North of Ari, Rasdhoo has an interesting channel
dive with big tunas, barracudas and grey sharks. On the outside
of Rasdhoo Madivaru it is possible to encounter hammerheads coming
up from the surrounding deep water in the early morning.
Ari Atoll
Whether an enthusiastic and experienced diver or a more casual
new recruit to the sport, Ari Atol has something to offer everyone.
In the North East Monsoon the Mantas frequent many sites on the
west side, which is also the best area for hard corals, notably
table corals stacked layer upon layer. Inside the Atoll are the
well know sites of Fish Head and Maaya Thila, reputed to be one
of the best night dives in the Maldives. Kudarah Thila is also
notable for it’s soft and hard corals and shoals of blue
line snapper. In the South of the Atoll Rangali Madivaru is a
huge cleaning station frequented by large numbers of Mantas in
the North East Monsoon. Maamigili is where whale sharks frequently
patrol the out reef year round.
Felidhoo Atol
Known for it’s spectacular channels on the North East side,
Felidhoo is a favourite Atol to visit in the North East monsoon,
with visability up to 40 metres and a whole range of shark action,
including Hammerheads at Fushi Kandu. Another site worth a visit
is Fotteyo in the East , noted for its many soft coral encrusted
caves.
Further South toward the Equator
are Wataru Atol, Mulaku Atol Lamu Atol and Thaa Atoll, still
largely unexplored. Across the other side of the One and a half
degree channel is the larger Huvadhoo Atol, which is the deepest
Atoll in the Maldives. Good channel diving on both sides of the
Atoll, some with huge Gorgonian forests. The Coral here is in
very good condition, and this area unlike the more Northern Atolls
in inhabited by Leopard Sharks. This area is best dived in the
North East Monsoon.
The most Southerly Atoll in the
Maldives is Addoo Atoll, with for channels an several wrecks
including the British Loyalty a 5 and 1/2 thousand ton Oil tanker,
torpedoed by the Japanese in 1944. There is a commercial airport
at Gan, which used be a British Airforce base.
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