Dhevana Kandu - Miyaru Kandu - Maldives Dive Site
Dive Site: Protected Marine Area (Thila)
Location: Felidhe Atoll, Second Channel South of Ali Mathaa
Depth Range: 5m - 25m
Coral Growth: Excellent
Features: Pelagic fish, Sharks, Coral, Caves
Fish Life: Above Average
Experience Level: Novice
Dive Site Map - Dhevana Kandu - Miyaru Kandu
Diving Hints and Currents:
Dhevana Kandu is a top dive site in the Maldives, known for its excellent coral growth and abundant marine life. This Maldives dive location is comprised of a main channel between Vihamaafaru Falhu and Kudadhiggaru Falhu, which is spliced in the middle by a reef stretching around 250 meters. The passage on the southern side of the reef is known as Miyaru Kandu, whereas the narrower channel on the northern side is referred to as Bodu Miyaru Kandu. The entire channel, including both the northern and southern passages has been declared a protected marine area.
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Two jackfish off the coast of Miyaru Kandu |
When the current is ingoing, this dive site Dhevana Kandu allows for one of the most memorable drift dives in the Felidhe Atoll region. The outside area of the reef has many caves and overhangs that decline sharply from 30 meters into the Maldivian waters.
Here you will often find grey reef sharks, eagle rays and pelagics, usually milling about the entrances to the passages, with increasing numbers during the north-east monsoon season in the Maldives.
The south side passage of Miyaru Kandu dive site contains many large coral rocks covered in soft coral growth, with one particular rock rising to a whopping nine meters. This area is frequented by many reef fish, such as the blue-face angelfish, saddled pufferfish and variegated lizardfish.
The middle of the north passage holds a long, narrow reef that inclines gradually to 15 meters from the sandy floor, at around 18 meters. As divers drift along the one km long channel, the north and south passages eventually merge into one. At this top dive location there is an abundance of coral blanketing the bottom of the 500 meter wide channel, at a depth of around 15 meters.
The best dives in Dhevana Kandu are usually when the current is ingoing, due to the size of the channel and options for diving both the scenic north and south passages. The sheer size of the massive channel means boatmen should be carefully advised of the dive plan, to avoid any complications. Furthermore, when drift diving over the coral formation, good buoyancy control is required to avoid damaging the coral growth.
Scuba diving photo of sharks gathering at Miyaru Kandu dive site
Miyaru Kandu
"Miyaru" is the Dhihevi name for "shark", so it is no surprise that Miyaru Kandu is a great Maldives dive spot for sighting sharks. There is a majestic cave on the north corner at 33 meters, which is a great location to spot grey reef sharks. Deeper inside the outside reef there are more caves for exploration. Nevertheless, the inside channel remains the best place to catch sight of white-tip and black-tip reef sharks.
Other Popular Maldives Dive Sites:
- Dhigali Haa - Horubadhoo Thila
- Embudhoo Kandu - Embudhoo Thila
- Filitheyo Kandu
