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Scuba Diving Around Addu

 

Sothern Maldives Divers based at South Palm Resort Maldives offers Scuba Diving courses including a Discover Scuba Diving course for beginners. The professional dive guides will be able to give you an unforgettable, remarkable and safe underwater experience at 25 spectacular different dive sites that Addu Atoll has to offer. Have a fabulous dive with Giant Manta rays seen all year round and explore the WWII shipwreck, the ‘British Loyalty’. South Palm Resort is just 5 minutes boat ride from the Meedhoo Jetty.  

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Addu Atoll is famous for its wreck dives, large manta rays, sharks, dolphins, turtles and large fish in general, seen all throughout the year. It is also known for its brilliant coral patches in the north and broad barrier reefs with several islands on the east and west. There are a total of four kandus in this atoll, Gan Kandu, Viligili Kandu, Maa Kandu and Kuda Kandu. There are a also few caves dispersed around the region.

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Currents are not as forceful as in other parts of the Maldives, so it is a great dive location for novice and experienced scuba divers looking for a thrilling dive excursion. The channels can be navigated with relative ease, with the average depth within the atoll at 35 meters, and a maximum depth of 75 meters in the center.

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Sub Oceanic Dive Club provides all diving equipment to the guests, but if you wish to bring your own diving gears, you may wish to do so and all your diving gears can be kept safely at Southern Pro Diving Center.

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Famous Dive sites around Addu Atoll

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                                                                     1.DEMON POINT                                                                    

1. GULDA LA MAGU

2. BODU HOHOLHA

3. KUDA HOHOLHA

4. UMARU’S PLACEKUDA

5. KANDU BEYRU

6. KUDA KANDU KAN

7. FIHALI FARU

8. ISMAHELLA BEYRU

9. MEEDHOO BEYRU

10. HULHUDHOO BEYRU

11. MULIKEDE BEYRU

12. BANANA REEF

13. KAHANBU FARU

14. BRITISH LOYALTY

16. KOATTEY BEYRU

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1. DEMON PIONT

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 70 MIN

Description: Outside reef. Located on the NW corner of the atoll. The reef features mainly a gentle slope to 30+ meters with steep parts in between. It has beautiful coral all over and due to the location even large pelagics can be seen in the blue. Large swells and strong currents can be present.

 

What to expect: Massive coral formations with sea fans, soft corals and hard corals. Often reef sharks, barracuda, tuna, napoleons, eagle rays and feather tail stingrays, large green turtles, moray eels including the rare honeycomb moray and lots of tropical reef fish

 

Depth:3m to 30+m

Experience level: Advanced (Depth, Current)

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2. GULDA LA MAGU

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 55 MIN

Description: Outside reef. Wall dive. Located just below the NW corner of the atoll. The reef drops almost vertically from the top at 5m to 30+m. very nice coral formations with sandy patches in between. It is possible to combine this dive site with Bodu Hoholha.

 

What to expect: Gorgonians, soft coral, anemones and small curves. Nurse sharks, eagle rays, large green turtles, napoleons, tuna and lots of tropical reef fish.

 

Depth: 5m to 35m

 

Experience Level: All levels

 

  

3. BODU HOHOLHA

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 30 MIN

Description: Outside reef. Wall dive. Located in the NW of the atoll. Good to dive at all depths. The top reef at 5-8m features a beautiful coral garden. From there it drops steeply to unknown depth. The wall is full of beautiful gorgonians and covered in blue soft corals. There are also massive caves that big enough to enter. Chunky green turtles and a curios school of batfish is almost always present.

 

What to expect: Caves, gorgonians, soft coral, tuna, sharks, eagle rays in the blue, turtles, barracuda, the typical reef fish and some stunning macro life, nudibranchs, and shrimp. Bring a torch!

 

Depth: 3m to 30+++m

 

Experience Level: All levels

 

  

4. KUDA HOHOLHA

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 30 MIN

  Destination:Destination: Outside reef. Located in the NW just below Bodu Hoholha, below a manmade channel used by local fisher men. Steep drop off from 6 to 30+++m. nice caves and overhangs at around 25m. Some huge caves starting at 28m. On the wall purple gorgonians, towards the south a steep slope with healthy coral gardens.

 

What to expect; wall, caves, overhangs, gorgonians and table corals. Large green turtles, reef sharks, napoleons, lobsters, moray eels, jack fish, grouper, snappers and lots of tropical reef fish.

 

Depth: 3m to 30+++m

 

Experience level: All levels

 

5. UMARU’S PLACE

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 45 MIN

Description: Outside reef. Located just below Kuda Hoholha. Drift dive along a wall. Long and beautiful reef which starts at 5m and drops to 30+m. Staircase like coral formations in places and large coral blocks. In between gorgeous coral gardens featuring soft and hard corals. Look for small creatures but always have an eye in the blue for manta rays and sailfish.

 

6. KUDA KANDU BEYRU

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 40 MIN

Description:  Outside reef. Located west of Kuda Kandu channel mouth. Amazing dive site with a huge abundance of stunning hard coral gardens. The reef slopes from the top at 20m and drops of from there into the deep. Current is usually not much of a consideration.

What to expect: Beautiful hard coral gardens, sea fans, reef sharks, tunas, jack fish, barracuda, napoleons, eagle rays and all other tropical reef fish.

 

Depth: 5m to 30+m

Experience Level: All levels

 

7. KUDA KANDU KAN

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TIME TO DESTINTION: 40 MIN 

One of our best diving spots! Channel dive site is located on the corner of Kuda Kandu. Only one small patch of rubble interrupts massive coral formations of table, mushroom, brain, cone and many other corals along a steep slope of 25m. Usually the channel mouth is filled with schooling fish, and many a many grey reef shark.

 

What to expect: Coral, coral, coral! Grey reef sharks , napoleons, turtles, barracuda, tuna, rainbow runners, lobsters and many, many other tropical reef fish.

 

Depth: 5m to 33m

Experience level: All levels, with strong currents advanced skill beneficial.

 

 8. FIHALI FARU

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 40 MIN 

Located on the island of the channel entrance of Kuda Kandu. Can be subjected to strong currents and therefore best dived on a slack or incoming current. The top reef mainly features rock formalities.

 

9. MAAHALA

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TIME TO DESTINATUION: 35MIN 

Located on the island of the channel entrance of Kuda Kandu east of Fihali Faru. Best to be divided with little currents as the dive site is quite small. The channel part is covered in green finger like plants and fan coral. Furthermore eels, turtles, lobster, feather stars, napoleons and many other schooling reef fish can be observed.

 

Depth: 5m to 30m

Experience Level: All levels

 

10. BUSHY WEST CHANNEL

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 35 MIN 

One of our highlight spots! Located on the western corner of Kuda Kandu channel. An awesome drift dive on an incoming current from Bushy Beyru into the channel. The reef features some of the nicest and most colorful coral gardens the atoll [and the Maldives] have to offer. In the channel a steep drop to 30m. Outside a gentler slope which at about 25m drops off into a very, very deep dive. Keep a look out for sharks and rays. Turtles and napoleons are present all over the reef.

 

What to expect: The most beautiful coral collections in the entirety of the atoll! Sharks, rays, turtles, napoleons, humphead parrot fish, trigger fish and a myriad of other tropical reef fish.

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Depth:6m to 30+m 

 

BUSHY BEYRU

  

11. BUSHY EAST CHANNEL

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 35MIN

Located on the eastern corner of Maakandu channel. Usually done as a drift drive. Known to feature a sandy slope (5-25m) with nice core blocks. At the corner the reef it flattens out at around 22m and is fully covered in healthy hard coral fields with an abundance of reef fish. Around the corner a steep drop and some areas of sand. Watch out for mantas heading in and out of the channel.

 

    What to expect: Large coral formations. Barracuda, napoleons, eagle rays, sometimes mantas, turtles, humphead parrot fish, reef sharks and many, many other tropical reef fish.

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Depth: 5m to 30m

Experience Level: All levels

 

 

 12. MUDAKAN MANTA POINT-MANTA POINT

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 40 MIN

It does not get any better! Located in Maakandu channel. Best to be dived on incoming currents [sometimes very strong] starting on the eastern corner of the channel. Once inside, the reef features a year round manta point in between 19-25m. Of course it is not guaranteed but up to 30 different animals have been seen here. With the advent of strong currents, hold on to something [or use a reef hook] and stay clear of the block. Don’t touch or chase the mantas. They will come close to you. Very close! If the mantas are not there you will have the pleasure of enjoying the company of up to 30 odd napoleons of all sizes.

 

What to expect: manta rays, napoleons, reef sharks.

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Depth: 5m to 30m

Experience Level: All levels, strong currents require experience.

 

 

 13. MAAKANDU BEYRU

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 30 MIN 

Located in the NE. outside reef. Easy wall dive not usually affected by strong currents. Top reef starts at 5-8m and slopes gradually to 30+m. On the wall and in the corner a gorgeous growth of coral reef can be observed. Huge coral formations further up and massive gorgonians further down. Keep an eye out for rays and sharks passing by.

 

What to expect: massive coral formations of all kinds. Reef sharks, rays, turtles, humphead parrot fish, barracuda, tuna, trigger fish and an abundance of beautiful reef fish.

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Depth: 5 to 30m

Experience level: All levels.

 

14. ISMEHELAA BEYRU

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 25 MIN 

Located in the NE. Outside reef. Another interesting drift dive site which sometimes experiences a current and high visibility. The top reef is at around 5-8m; gradually slopes down to 30m and beyond. Good coral coverage from top to bottom. Check underneath the large coral blocks for nurse sharks and have an eye out for large pelagic fish.

 

What to expect: Beautiful hard coral formations. Reef sharks, barracudas, napoleons, eagle rays, nurse sharks, moray eels, sometimes mantas and large pelagic fish. With the obvious litany of colorful tropical reef fish.

 

Depth: 5m to 30+m

Experience level: All levels

 

15. MEEDHOO BEYRU

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 25 MIN 

Located in the NE corner of the atoll. A dramatic reef, which is best dived deep, holding promise of seeing large pelagic fish and occasionally manta rays. Large overhangs on both sides of the corner between 15 and 30m. Many anemones and large gorgonians. 

 

16. HULHUDHOO BEYRU

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 25 MIN 

Located in the east of the atoll. Nice draft dive along a wall ranging from 6-35m. On the sandy bottom where whitetip reef sharks and sting rays can be often spotted. Sometimes nurse sharks can be seen in between the hard corals. The top reef not very interesting to behold due to coral bleaching in 1998. The deep water is a lot nicer with a variety of corals.

What to expect: Various hard and soft corals and anemones, turtles, parrot fish, reef sharks, rays, schooling reef fish and many other beautiful sea creatures.

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Depth: 3m to 40m

Experience level: All levels

  

17. MULIKEDE BEYRU

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TIME TO DESTINATION: 20 MINS

Located in the SE of the atoll. Formerly known as manta point but Mudakan took over that claim. The reef features lovely top reefs between 5-12m depth with beautiful table corals and an abundance of marine life. A nice vertical wall from 10 to 28m with lots of overhangs, covered by soft corals and gorgonians can be found. The historical value of this dive site are the left overs of anti-submarine nets strewn across the channel during WWII 

 

What to expect: Table and other hard corals, gorgonians, lobsters, grouper, napoleons, reef sharks and often manta rays

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Depth: 5m to 30+m

Experience level: All levels