The Southern Atolls of the Maldives

Diving at Vaavu Atoll

Vaavu (or Felidhoo) Atoll is an undeveloped paradise comprised of 19 beautiful isles and the natural atolls of Felidhoo Atoll and the Vattaru Reef. It is the smallest and among the least commercialised atoll in the Maldives. The pristine, warm waters here are teeming with fish and larger marine life providing superb diving for both beginners and advanced divers.

Vaavu Atoll boasts Fotteyo Falhu - the largest unbroken barrier reef in the Maldives. The reef is 50 km long and the easternmost point of the Maldives archipelago. Vaavu is mostly visited by liveaboards and this is undoubtedly the best way to explore these unspoilt sites.

One of the features of this diving area is the deep channels known as Kandus that bring in fast-flowing currents full of nutrients. Throughout the year you can find numerous sharks in the heavy currents and there are many thrilling shark dive sites. As well as plenty of grey reef and white tip reef sharks, you may be lucky enough to see hammerhead sharks.

In addition, this atoll is an ideal place for manta ray sightings and they can be found in great numbers from May to July. Whale sharks are common here at certain times of year, particularly on the east side of the atoll. You will also be treated to encounters with huge schools of fish such as barracuda, snapper and trevally.

Fotteyo Kandu is a favourite dive site and is considered by some to be one of the best dive sites in the Maldives due to the vast array of marine life that can be found there. The channel is narrow and features swim-throughs, small caves and large overhangs. The drop-off at the channel entrance is covered in colourful soft corals. Titan triggerfish are common here along with grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, tuna and barracuda.

In the early morning you might be lucky enough to get a glimpse of hammerhead sharks in the most outer side of the channel. This is also where eagle rays can be spotted, along with big groupers such as potato grouper. Look out for sting rays resting on the patch of sand and turtles on the channel walls.

Bodu Miyaru Kandu, or 'Big Shark Channel', is another top dive site and certainly lives up to its name. Dropping in at the south eastern corner you keep the reef on your left until you reach the drop off at the channel entrance which is approximately 40 metres deep. This site features small caves and numerous overhangs, and there is a sloping section on the left side of the channel covered in hard coral and some soft coral.

A variety of marine life, including tuna, white tip reef sharks, manta and eagle rays, and Napoleon wrasse can be seen here, as well as many colourful reef fish. An underwater photographer's paradise!

To dive at Alimathaa Island Dhekunu, or 'South Channel', you start at the south western corner and follow the reef as it slopes gently downwards on either side of the channel. This site offers encounters with several different rays including manta, big black-spotted and eagle rays.

There is a small drop off on the right side at the beginning of the channel that is covered in stunning hard coral and some soft corals. The current is mostly moderate to extremely strong bringing in white tip sharks and huge schools of snappers.

Visiting Vaavu Atoll you will be treated to awe-inspiring Maldives diving at untouched dive sites where few divers have been before!

Vaavu Atoll Reef Basics: Channels, submerged pinnacles, walls and overhangs
Depth: 5 - 40m
Visibility: 20 - 30m
Currents: Moderate to strong
Surface conditions: Can be choppy
Water temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience level: Beginner to advanced
Number of dive sites: 23
Diving season: All year round, with the best diving being from January to March
Distance: 75 km from Male
Access: Maldives liveaboard

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