Caleb Falcon
As one of Asia's favourite holiday hubs, the Maldivian archipelago is home to some of the richest underwater landscapes on the planet. The top 5 dive sites in the country are as follows.
Occupying pride of place in the Cocoa Thila the Cocoa Corner is one of the best dive sites in not only Male Atoll but also in the country at large. Revered as one of the finest diving hubs to witness sharks Cocoa Corner can be accessed from various points under pleasant current and water conditions. As a Thila that is located in the centre of the channel, Cocoa Corner offers divers an up close look at countless marine creatures including grey reef sharks of all ages, jack fish and eagle rays. Divers are advised to use safety balloons when exploring Cocoa Corner and make frequent open water safety pit stops.
Often regarded as one of the Maldives' best dive sites the Banana Reef also has the honour of being the first diving hub to be discovered in the paradise archipelago. A frequent stopover for seasoned divers the Banana Reef is 5-30 metres in depth and is littered with several intriguing overhangs as well as a pinnacle. The true highlight of diving in Banana Reef is exploring the colourful coral life that occupies the underwater space while the large variety of fish species occupying the area is equally impressive. Divers will spot schools of bannerfish, oriental sweetlips and squirrelfish in the reef where turbulence and strong currents are sometimes experienced. Visitors staying in luxury Maldives resorts such as Adaaran Select Meedhupparu can look to plan excursions to this site.
Wreck diving enthusiasts heading to the Maldives should make it a point to stopover at the near iconic British Loyalty Wreck. Located in the Addu Atoll the submerged contents of the former British war vessel prove to be some of the most intriguing underwater landscapes in the archipelago. Drowned by a torpedo fired by Japanese forces during World War II, the famous 140m long British seafaring vessel sits in its liquid grave waiting to be explored by divers from around the world. Located 17m below the waves what remains of the ship which was downed in the 1940's offers ideal diving conditions for beginners as well as expert divers. Parrotfish, sea turtles, bannerfish and schools of clownfish and angelfish are frequently spotted in the area while the large hole created by the entry point of the torpedo is still visible in the hull.
Found in the northern reaches of the Ari Atoll, Gangehi Kandu is a scuba diving site strictly reserved for experienced divers. Known for its strong currents, divers are advised to engage in diving activities only when the currents are flowing inward, towards Gangehi Kandu. Another famed shark spotting hub the venue is teeming with white tip reef sharks and gray reef sharks. The odd leopard shark also swims into view now and then while trigger fish and moray eels also occupy the area. The coral gardens are equally impressive as massive pelagic species are also known to inhabit the reef.
As a Protected Marine Area, the Kudarah Thila is another must-explore highlight for diving fanatics exploring Maldivian waters. Containing both hard and soft coral species the Thila's four pinnacles are another feature that sets it apart from similar sites in the island nation. Home to oriental sweetlips, trumpet fish, dartfish, gobies, groupers and snappers divers can venture outward from the reed and run into sea turtles, gray reef sharks and napoleon fish.
