Fotteyo Kandu - Maldives Dive Site
Type of Dive Site: Channel
Location: Felidhe Atoll, Hurahu Kandu
Best Time to Dive: North East Monsoon
GPS Position: 03.29260, 073.41875
Depth Range: 5m – 30m
Coral Growth: Excellent
Features: Caves, overhangs, swim-through
Fish Life: Abundant
Experience Level: Advanced
Diving Hints and Currents:
Many scuba divers consider Fotteyo Kandu to be the best dive site in Maldives and it is also rated among the top 5 dive sites in the world. The mouth of the channel is exposed to the ocean and during north east monsoon when the currents are incoming, a good variety of fish species gather at the entrance to the channel.
Dive Guide Map of Fotteyo Kandu Dive Site
Animals commonly spotted at Fotteyo Kandu dive site include Gray Reef Shark patrolling the channel mouth, Jack and Tuna in the deeper water, schools of Midnight Snappers and Red Snapper form in huge groups. The wall features caves, overhangs and swim-thoughs at different depths. These caves and overhangs are filled with colourful yellow color like soft coral, deeper caves and overhangs are filled with huge bushes of black corals. The Thila in the middle of the channel entrance is the best place to do the safety stop. A surface balloon is a must at Fotteyo Kandu.
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School of Glass Fish at Fotteyo Kandu |
Trigger Valley: There is a Thila inside the channel with 2 narrow sandy channels on either side. These narrow channels are occupied by the Titan Triggerfish and used as a mating ground. Be aware of the Titan Triggerfish and don’t get close to them. If they start to behave strangely keep an eye on them and try to swim away.
Early morning Hammerhead Dive: Fotteyo Kandu dive site is not only famous for the day dive but also for an early morning Hammerhead dive. This dive is performed very differently from the day dive as divers spend most of the time in the blue water. During the early morning hours Scallop Hammerheads rise to shallower depths and divers get take a glimpse at them.
Fotteyo Kandu has over the years become a top scuba diving destination in the Maldives, and often ranks as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. That is hardly surprising given the diverse and abundant fish life, and the beautiful underwater landscapes have become a highlight for marine photographers. If you are on holiday to the Maldives make sure to pass through Fotteyo Kandu in Felidhe Atoll, the liveaboard scuba dive safaris guarantee an exhilerating and once in a lifetime experience.
Other Famous Maldives Scuba Dive Sites:
- Fushi Kandu
- Fushivaru Thila
- Gangehi Kandu
