Embudhoo Kandu - Embudhoo Thila - Maldives Dive Site
Dive Site: Protected Marine Area
Location: South Male Atoll, First channel south of the Embudhoo Finolhu resort
Depth Range: 5m - 30m
Coral Growth: Above average
Features: Sharks, reef fish, coral, caves
Fish Life: Very good
Experience Level: Novice
Dive Site Map - Embudhoo Kandu - Embudhoo Thila
Diving Hints and Currents:
The Maldives dive site Embudhoo, has been declared a protected marine area for a long time. A firm favorite of scuba divers on holiday to the Maldives, this dive location spans almost 2 kilometers, containing a variety of features for that unique dive experience, such as brilliant coral formations, sharks, majestic caves and plenty of fish life. The south side of the channel is an extended drift dive known as the Embudhoo express - known for its strong ingoing current; the express rushes through the channel at rapid pace, giving scuba divers an exhilarating ride through the Maldivian waters.
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Sweetlips at Embudhoo Kandu |
Consequently, these currents at Embudhoo dive site attract a wide range of pelagics and other marine life such as the napoleon wrasse and eagle rays. The south corner of this dive site is often referred to as "shark point" due to the abundance of grey reef sharks spotted in and around the area.
There are numerous caves around this point, and several long, shallow overhangs between 14m - 30m. It is here that numerous snout-spot grouper fish congregate; also known as smalltooth grouper or brown-marbled grouper. These fish are usually very well camouflaged, and lurk waiting for prey swimming too close to the ledges.
Inside the channel at Embudhoo Kandu dive site is one colossal cave ranging between 5m - 25m, with a swim-through at 11m. A majority of the dives initiate on the outside reef and conclude in this very cave. The Maldives marine life that is found inside the cave consists of seafans, sponges, large morays, angelfish, octopus, lionfish and even the odd squirrelfish.
Embudhoo Thila (Coral Garden)
The dive site Embudhoo Thila is a spectacular underwater reef located on the north corner of the Embudhoo Kandu. The reef top ranges between 12m - 15m with a lavish decoration of hard and soft coral upon the reef plateau. On the south side of the thila you will find a protruding ledge alongside a small cave. It is here that reef fish congregate in large numbers, whereas around the outskirts it is not uncommon to find sharks patrolling the waters.
Vibrant and colorful coral at Embudhoo Thila dive site
This Maldives dive site Embudhoo Kandu is suitable for beginners if the current is favorable; most of the channels in the North-West direction of South Male Atoll are pretty shallow with one or more thilas at the entrances. At Mas Thila you will find sharks, trevally and deep caves, whereas at Bolifushi Housereef lies the wreckage of a 9 meter fiberglass yacht, which attracts white-tip reef sharks, napoleon, triggerfish, remoras and eagle rays.
Popular Maldives Scuba Dive Sites:
- Filitheyo Kandu
- Fish Head - Mushi Mas Mingili Thila
- Fotteyo Kandu
