WAAGIRI: INNER REEF

Current: Small
Camera: Close up
Torch: recommended

A sheltered reef, home to many interesting small marine creatures and soft coral including nudibranch, shrimp, scorpion fish, and Fire and Arrow goby. A large frogfish sometimes resides here. There is a every opportunity of seeing the Longnosed Hawkfish which inhabits the small black coral trees at around 20 to 25m; here you can also see hundreds of very long garden eels feeding in the gentle current.

KUDAGIRI: INNER REEF WRECK DIVE

Current: Small
Camera: Wide angle
Torch: Recommended

A steel coastal trader located in 20 to 35m of water is home to many small fish. A large school of batfish can be seen on or near the wreck making for excellent photos. At certain times of year the wreck’s bridge is filled with Yellow sweeper, with Blue fin Trevally circling nearby, waiting for an easy meal. After viewing the wreck, take a leisurely swim around the reef observing Clark and Maldivian anemone fish and Fairy basslets. The numerous caves and overhangs are filled with Soldier fish and occasionally large grouper.

GURAIDHOO: OUTER REEF AND CHANNEL

Current: Small to very strong
Camera: Wide angle (not recommended when strong currents)

Starting the dive along the outer reef provides a spectacle of fusiliers and dog-toothed tuna. As you drift towards the corner a large school of Schooling Banner fish feed in the current. You will stop on or near the corner holding
onto the bottom to watch the action of frequently seen White Tip sharks, Grey sharks, Spotted Eagle rays, Giant Trevally and large Napoleon cruising in the current. From May to November and with the right conditions, Hammerhead sharks can be seen, making for a memorable dive.

COCOA THILA: THILA DIVE

Current: Medium
Camera: Wide angle (not recommended due to nature of drift dive)

Located in the middle of Kandooma channel, we enter and descend down into the blue letting the current drift us on to the reef, where huge schools of Fusiliers, Red Snapper and Big Eye Trevally congregate on the thila corner. Large Tuna and Giant Trevally ride the currents with frequent sightings of up to 10 to 20 Spotted Eagle rays. On top of the reef, see beautiful table corals, reef fish, and big green turtles. Drifting towards the end of the thila, find Grey sharks and White Tip sharks – common sightings, although very shy.

COCOA CORNER: OUTER REEF AND CHANNEL

Current: Small to strong
Camera: Wide angle
Torch: Useful

Drifting along the outer reef you can see many Fusiliers and Turtles with sometimes White Tip sharks and Spotted Eagle rays near the corner of the channel. As you come into the channel small overhangs with beautiful soft
and hard coral, sea fans and sponges adorn the reef wall providing a kaleidoscope of colours . Many Groupers, Sweetlips and Soldier Fish can be seen inhabiting the caves, including occasional Honeycombed Moray along the reef.

BODUHORA: INNER REEF

Current: Small to medium
Camera: Wide angle and close up

Bodu means big and Hora means sand bank in dhivehi ; in other words, a big sand bank with many patch reefs makes for a variety of marine life, especially juveniles. You can see large schools of Blue Striped Snapper, Turtles, Blue Surgeon fish, Damselfish, Flatfish, Nudibranch, Shrimp, Lionfish, Black Spotted Pufferfish, Garden Eels and some big Morays. Lots to see, and a relaxing dive.

BACK KANDOOMA: ALONG THE OUTER REEF

Current: Small
Camera: Wide angle and close up

This leisurely dive incorporates numerous schools of fish located on the edge of the drop off. You can see Blue Striped Snapper, Two Spot Snapper, and Fairy Basslets, with Black Pyramid Butterflyfish and numerous turtles, which can be approached closely. Often Skipjack Tuna, Trevally and Napoleon can be seen along the drop off. A relaxing dive for all levels of divers.

BUSHI OUT: OUTER REEF

Current: Small to strong
Camera: Wide angle

A variety of fish and small marine creatures inhabit the coral outcrops, including three or four species of Fusiliers, the Yellow Backed, Blue Striped, Two Spot and Midnight Snapper, Napoleon, Convict Surgeon Fish, Turtles, Morays and sometimes Lobster. As you near the channel, encounter Trevally , Skipjack Tuna and White Tip sharks. A good dive for the fish follower, or just relax and enjoy the scenery.