Kuda Haa - Maldives Dive Site
Type of Dive Site: Channel, Protected Marine Area
Location: North Male Atoll, Giravaru Uthuru (South) Kandu
Best Time to Dive: All year round
GPS Position: 04.12550, 073.24470
Depth Range: 6m – 30m
Coral Growth: Excellent
Features: Caves, overhangs, coral heads
Fish Life: Abundant
Experience Level: Advanced
Dive Site Map - Kuda Haa
Diving Hints and Currents:
The Kuda Haa dive site has two main peaks over the length of around 100 meters, and although this Maldives dive site does not have many spectacular rock features, the marine life is both diverse and in abundance. The two peaks extend from the atoll floor to 14 and 6 meters and in and around the delicate coral formations on the reef top you will find numerous species of damselfish. Congregating above the reef are usually schools of flame basslet, blue-striped snapper, freckled hawkfish, long-nose filefish, scorpionfish and lionfish. Featherstars are also known to be found at this dive location, as it is a great place to spread their arms and catch the zooplankton flowing through the atoll.
One of the primary features of Kuda Haa dive site is a breathtaking cave between 25-30 meters at the culmination of the ridge on the north face. Inside you will find a large, bushy, black coral tree with oyster shells. On the sandy patch on the east side of the cave are many species of shrimp goby. Patient divers observing these shy fish may well be rewarded with a glimpse of their near-blind commensal shrimp.
On the western side of dive site Kuda Haa, at the end of the ridge is a steep ledge at 35 meters. On the decline you can find schools of large grouper fish, such as the flower grouper. Commonly spotted in the area are two species of the emperor fish; the large-eye emperor usually found in small aggregations or pairs, and the gold-spot emperor - clearly identifiable by the glowing gold spot in its tail, more often seen in larger schools.
There is not a lot of protection from strong currents at this dive location Maldives. Divers should be especially careful not to upset the brittle green coral trees on the reef slopes.
Kuda Haa is definitely considered as one of the highlights of scuba diving in the Maldives. Kuda Haa is best dived when the currents are not strong. Located on the Southwestern side of North Male Atoll, Kuda Haa is a Thila (Pinnacle) consisting of two parts. Both parts are easily visible, and navigating from one to the other is easy. Both parts of the Kuda Haa Thila are covered with delicate corals making Kuda Haa an ideal site to find rare invertebrate species such as Nudibranchs, Flatworms, Leaf Fish and Frog Fish. Divers should be prepared to make an open water safety stop and a surface balloon is necessary.
Popular Scuba Dive Sites in the Maldives:
- Kudarah Thila
- Lhazikuraadi - Hakuraa Thila
- Maalhos Thila
