Maldives – A diver’s paradise. The crystal clear water surrounding Maldives offers very good visibility, making Maldives one of the top diving destinations in the world. The presence of rare species as well as commonly found marine life are another major reason for the popularity of Maldives as a diving destination. You may come across numerous recognized diving sites in Maldives but Reef Dives, Kandus, Thilas and Wrecks are the most important among all
Reef Dives
The wide edges of a reef are among the most fascinating parts of a reef to dive in. The more adventurous divers prefer to dive down to the interesting terraces on the outer reef slopes where the atolls meet the open sea. Inner reef slopes, located in the sheltered waters inside an atoll, are generally easier dives. These dives feature coral formations and numerous smaller reef fish.
Kandu
For drift dives, the best place to opt for is the Kandu Channel. A Kandu channel lies between the islands or reefs on the outer edge of an atoll. The water inside an atoll is a breeding ground for plankton, and this water flows out through a Kandu Channel into the open sea. Sea animals like Manta Rays and Whale Sharks, attracted by the rich supply of plankton can be easily viewed during the dives here.
Being the breeding ground for plankton, the water inside the atoll attracts various sea animals like manta rays
Thilas
A thila is a coral formation – more like an underwater mountain which rises steeply from the atoll floor. What makes a thila a good diving spot is the richness in fishes and hard coral. Reef fish and hard coral can be found flourishing at the top of a thilla. Even the steep sides of a thilla abound with fish. The many crevices, caves and overhangs provide shelter to small fishes. Larger fishes visit the place to feed on these small fishes.
Wrecks
While many ships have floundered on Maldivian reefs, there are a few accessible wrecks of historical interest. These require permission from the government to dive. These wrecks are located mostly outside the atolls. These wrecks make up interesting diving sites mainly due to the presence of corals and other marine life which populate the wrecks
