Cinnamon Velifushi, Vaavu and Meemu Atolls

The underwater topography of the outer reefs here is dominated by large overhangs and a honeycomb of caves and swim-throughs, while the lagoons offer plenty of shallow reefs and thilas that are perfect for inexperienced divers. From May to June mantas rule the waves, while for the rest of the year, strong tidal currents in the channels mean thrilling shark dives with grey reef and whitetip reef sharks, amidst swirling schools of barracuda, snapper and trevally. 

Vaavu's best dive sites

Even by Maldives’ standards, Vaavu’s channels are special, and Fotteyo Kandu is considered one of the best dive sites in the Maldives. The narrow channel has swim-throughs, small caves and large overhangs to explore, as well as a drop-off covered in colourful soft corals. The occasional hammerhead is seen, but it is the schools of grey reef and whitetip sharks, large schools of trevally and other big species that brings in the divers. Nearby Miyaru Kandu, which translates to ‘Shark Channel’ certainly lives up to its name. A huge variety of marine life can be seen here, including tuna, large schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, tuna and Napoleon wrasse, as well as many colourful reef fish. Manta rays are also seen in the low season when the current is outflowing.

In recent years, a night dive at Alimatha jetty has attracted a lot of attention with its large numbers of blacktip sharks, nurse sharks and whiptail rays. A popular dive site, we urge divers to be extremely conscious of their behaviour and surroundings, as it is very easy to kick or accidentally corner the sharks and rays.

Diving in Meemu Atoll

While less well-known, the diving in Meemu is no less exciting, with cave-studded thilas and more current-swept channels teeming with life to explore. The eastern channel of Mulee Kandu is one of this atoll’s highlights, offering long drifts alongside swirling schools of snapper, tuna, trevallies, and more. Mulee Kandu is also one of the best sites in Meemu to dive with manta rays, which circle around numerous cleaning stations here during the southwest monsoon. In the north, a narrow channel known as Malaku Kandu is also well worth a day trip. As you reach the outer reef here, the channel floor drops away abruptly, reaching depths of more than 100-metres and attracting giant trevally, large tuna, and schooling barracuda. Both whitetip and grey reef sharks also gather around the channel entrance, with hammerheads also making appearances in the early morning hours.