Dive sites - north

Channels or Kandus
These are gaps or breaks in the outer reef of the Atoll where the tidal and ocean currents wash onto and off the central lagoon, often creating a hot spot of action especially during periods of good current. It is not uncommon to see large numbers of Grey or White tip sharks or large squadrons of Eagle Rays effortless riding the incoming ocean streams in the channel mouths.

Thilas
A Thila is a submerged Coral Reef , typically with a flat surface coming to between 9 and 12 metres of the surface. The sides often have small caves and overhangs. These present some of the most interesting and exiting dive sites as they attract a huge populous of schooling fish and hard and soft coral growth. Thilas are found both inside the Atolls and in the channels.

Giris
These are generally smaller round coral reefs that come within a few metres of the surface, although still submerged. A similar rich environment to a Thila, often with caves, overhangs and swim throughs.

Out Reef
The fringing reef generally starts at around 2 metres depth, shelving down to a forty metre shoulder and then plunging into the ocean depths. Being on the outside of the Atoll the outreef is subject to passing traffic. This is where Whalesharks, Mantas, and Hammerheads and giant Tuna cruise above the deep water on the outer fringes of the Maldives.

Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviani, Noonu
The large most Northerly Atoll of the Maldives is divided into four areas:- Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviani, Noonu. There is a commercial airfield in Haa Dhaalu with regular flights to and from the capital Male some 450 kilometres to the South. Most is yet unexplored by divers, although some expeditionary trips have explored parts of Noonu. The Maldivian government have recently passed legislation allowing this area to be opened for Tourism, so there are expected to be tourist resorts here in the future, but currently this huge area can only be dived from a liveaboard.

Baa Atol
The Atoll is divided by a 3 kilometre wide channel, with big dropoffs into deep water. There are many channels on the Eastern side with excellent Coral growth. Here again there is a huge potential for discovering new dive sites as this Atoll is still relatively unexplored. There is currently only one resort situated at Sonevafushi on the South East of the Atoll.

Lhaviyani Atoll
This Atoll has many excellent channels. The Atoll is quite narrow at it’s Northern end so dives can be planned on both East and West side. Renown sites include the Kuredu Express, Fushifaru Thila and the Shipyard, final resting place of two Japanese fishing vessels. There are currently 3 resorts Kuredu, Komandoo and Guraidhoo.

Gaafaru Falhu
A small Atoll, almost enclosed by the fringing reef with three channels. There are three known wrecks on the North side.
Lady Christine, a survey vessel sunk in 1974, The Erlangen, a German cargo vessel sank 1894, and the SS Seagull, sunk in 1879.

North Male Atoll
Situated centrally in the Maldives this Atoll is home to the nations capital Male, and the international airport. The diving is varied with good channels on both the East and the West side and some remarkable Thilas. Famous sites would include Lankan Finolhu, where Mantas are reliably found in the SW monsoon season, Nassimo Thila one of the prettiest soft coral sites in the islands, Banana Reef teeming with fish, and HP reef, a beautiful nutrient rich Thila, situated on the south East side of Male.