It's no secret that the glistening lagoons, atolls and channels that marble the Maldives harbour some of the best diving in the world, and yet some of the best sites remain relatively unknown. Often hailed in hushed tones as the Galapagos of the Maldives, divers can mingle with all the 'big stuff' in glorious solitude while voyaging across the atolls of the deep south; and for the creme de la creme of experiences, you really can't beat the luxurious Four Seasons Explorer. For a sneak peek into some of the epic diving, read on to discover the top dive sites in the deep south of the Maldives…
1. Fushi Kandu, Laamu Atoll
One of the most spectacular sites in the archipelago, Fushi Kandu is a thrilling channel dive starting at around ten - 15 metres on a shallow seabed before descending to a second plateau at 35 metres. The site offers an incredible array of fish and incoming currents offer the chance to encounter grey reef sharks, eagle rays, barracuda, huge schools of jacks, tuna and so much more.
Depth: Ten - 35 metres
Level: Open Water
Current: Yes
2. Vadinolhu Kandu, Laamu Atoll
One for more experienced divers, Vadinolhu Kandu is a deep blue water channel dive bordered by a reef rising to 20 metres. Strong currents funnel through the channel and divers can see anything from white tip sharks and humphead wrasses to huge schools of tunas and tropical fish.
Depth: 20 - 30 metres
Level: Advanced
Current: Yes
3. Hithadhoo Corner, Laamu Atoll
Reliable sightings of manta rays make Hithadhoo Corner a must visit for any diver. Watch them flip and dance over you as they queue to be spruced up by the resident cleaner wrasse at the sites cleaning stations. In fact, sights are so reliable that the chaps from marine charity the Manta Trust set up shop on nearby private island Six Senses Laamu (the only resort in the atoll) to research and monitor these graceful acrobats.
Depth: 8 - 22 metres
Level: Open Water
Current: No
4. Cocoa Corner, South Malé Atoll
Featuring a 400-metre-long pinnacle and a steep drop-off, Cocoa Corner has plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Peek into caves, caverns and overhangs to spot Napoleon wrasses, tunas and turtles. Drop outside of the reef where ripping currents will take you flying into the channel - bringing you to schools of snappers and trevallies, finishing the dive mingling with lots of banner fish in the shallows.
Depth: 15 - 35 metres
Level: Open Water
Current: Yes
5. Villingili Kandu, Huvadhoo Atoll
Located to the south of the island of Villingili, Villingili Kandu offers the chance to observe huge schools of grey reef sharks. Descending down a wall at the mouth of the channel to the observation point, hook in and watch as grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, schools of barracuda and eagle rays drift by, before allowing the current to current to carry you into the channel to join the action - it is such a great dive that you'll most likely want to repeat it.
Depth: 30 - 40 metres
Level: Advanced
Current: Yes
6. Nilandhoo Kandu, Huvadhoo Atoll
Unbeknown to most, to the south of Nilandoo island lies a whopping 300 metre channel that is one of the best sites to spot sharks and larger fish in the Maldives. The channel attracts grey reef sharks, leopard sharks, sailfish, barracudas, tunas, eagle rays, sting rays, turtles and humphead wrasses. Tiger sharks have also occasionally been observed here. Needless to say, this site is a must dive in the atoll.
Depth: 20 - 30 metres
Level: Advanced
Current: Yes
7. Gemanafushi Kandu, Huvadhoo Atoll
Gemanafushi Kandu, located furthest east of the atoll, is one not to miss. On an incoming current, it is possible to see dozens of grey reef sharks, eagle rays and a huge array of fish swarming around the channel. Depending on the entry point, this site is suitable for all diver levels; while another area of the site, 'Maareha Eagle Rays Garden', is also very good for snorkelling.
Depth: 10 - 35 metres
Level: Open Water +
Current: Yes
8. The Plateau, Fuvahmulah Atoll
To see seven different species of shark on a single dive is practically unheard of… except, of course, in the Fuvahmulah Atoll. A remote island cast in the deep blue of the ocean, Fuvahmulah is rarely visited and new dive sites are being discovered daily, however the Plateau continually stands-out as one of the best. Aside from regular sightings of white tip, silver tip and grey reef sharks, highlights include scalloped hammerheads, tiger and thresher sharks, oceanic manta rays and even the occasional whale shark.
Depth: 10 - 30 metres
Level: Advanced
Current: Yes
Get in touch to join the inaugural voyage to the deep south of the Maldives aboard luxury liveaboard the Four Seasons Explorer.
