South Male Atoll Dive Sites
Cocoa Thila
The strength of the current will determine how much fun you have on this site. Insufficient current can mean no fish. Ripping current can mean that after a minute or so there are no divers! Moderate current means you will experience one of the Maldives' finest dive sites.
Your dive guide should know when conditions are right and, when they are, you will see a whole host of marine life. The thila, or pinnacle, is some 400 metres in length and slopes down to a drop-off at 30 metres. At this spot if you concentrate on the blue you where are likely to spot tuna, trevallies and even eagle rays, either in isolation or a squadron of them flying in formation.
There are a number of overhangs and caverns here and it is often worthwhile to duck into these to avoid the current and allow you to relax and enjoy the views of sweetlips, fusiliers and rock cod. Grey reef sharks are also prevalent at Cocoa Thila so keep an eye out for them at the 30 metre mark and at the southwest corner of the thila. Also at this spot is a series of ravines where snappers, trumpetfish and sharks all seem to linger.
Sometimes the current here can surprise even the most experienced of dive guides so it is worth planning your dive to include a series of 'rest stops' in sheltered locations. Even if the current is not so strong these are often the best vantage points anyway. So provided conditions are conducive, you can drop in here and enjoy one of the most colourful and active sites in the South Male area.
Cocoa Thila Reef Basics: Pinnacle, drift dive
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 15 - 30m
Currents: Can be very strong
Surface conditions: calm, can be choppy
Water temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round
Distance: Just off the coast of Kandoomafushi, 30 km south of Male Town
Access: Liveaboard
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