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South Male Atoll is not as developed as its northern sister in terms of tourism but it does have an equally good share of dive sites. Also named South Kaafu Atoll this coral reef paradise is dotted with marine havens in crystal clear ocean.
Vaadhoo Caves
Located on the northern tip of the atoll this dive site offers a good drift dive over pristine reef with multiple overhangs and caves. All manner of reef fish are present and you'll often spot bigger visitors such as whitetip sharks, tuna and turtles. There is an impressive house reef at Vaadhoo where thousands of smaller fish can be seen.
Cocoa Thila
This spot attracts the pelagics when the current is flowing, you can expect to see trevally, tuna and eagle rays here. Three large coral bommies attract a lot of activity when currents are eddying around them, rock cod, sweetlips, fusiliers and many other fish congregate here. There are also a number of caves and overhangs along the reef face.
Kandooma Point
A great dive site when the current is going inwards, big groupers, tuna and sharks enjoy the fast flowing waters here. There are a number of cracks and crevices along the reef plateau for marine life to hide.
Maaya Thila
This aquatic highway is called the
Emboodhoo Express, it is the name of the channel entering South Male Atoll towards Emboodhoo Island Resort. This is a big fish dive with sharks being the highlight, grey reef and whitetip are the most common but you may also glimpse hammerheads in the depths.
South Male Atoll has far too many dive sites to mention here however a few of the better ones are Vaagali Thila, an isolated spot off Vaagali Island where sharks and mantas are often spotted. A small vessel has been sunk off Dhigufinolhu Island to provide an easy wreck dive site that attracts morays and batfish. Good drift diving can be experienced around Maafushi where eagle rays and turtles are often spotted on the sandy bottom.
Gulhi Kandu, Lhosfushi Kandu, Medhu Faru, Embudhu Canyon, Bolifushi Thila and Velassaru Faru are some of the other good dive sites around South Male Atoll.
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