Top 5 Dive Sites for Big Fish – Lhaviyani Atoll
30 Mar 2020The Maldives is one of the best places in the world to see sharks and rays. The underwater topography of Lhaviyani Atoll with its many deep channels between the outer reefs and islands, combined with constantly flowing currents bringing with them nutrients, makes an ideal location for diving with big fish. A variety of sharks and rays can be seen, from nurse sharks hiding under large coral blocks to grey reef sharks and silver tips cruising in the channels, from mantas at the cleaning stations to squadrons of eagle rays flying past, divers in search of ‘big stuff’ have a good chance of success!
- Kuredu Express – famous for its fast flowing currents, the corner and channel edge often has grey reef sharks hanging out in the current with seemingly little effort whilst divers are either hanging on or finning like crazy! Stingrays, eagle rays can also be seen here. Rarer sightings on the site include the Great Hammerhead and Tiger shark.
- Fushivaru Kandu – A large channel between to reefs where large groups of grey reef sharks can be seen, adults and juveniles too. Eagle rays, mobulas, and stingrays can also be spotted. Inside the channel lies Fushivaru Thila, a famous manta cleaning station (during manta season).
- Peak-Kahlifushifaru Crossing – for this thrill seeking mission you will be more comfortable with an underwater scooter – take the hard work out of the dive as you cross from one side to the other and hang out with grey reefs and silver tip sharks and a large groups of eagle rays too.
- Felivaru Kandu – Another of Lhaviyani’s channels that is great for shark action. Grey reefs are the most common sightings here but they are sometimes joined by silver tips. Stingrays can be found on the sandy channel bottom and eagle rays often fly by too. There is a big anchor standing in the channel that makes a great photo too!
- Meyafushi Kandu – A scooter adventure with some batfish buddies for divers at Innahura. Find stingrays and nurse sharks in the big overhangs and at the corner of the channel spot the school of juvenile grey reef sharks. In the channel itself, watch as fusiliers are hunted by many grey reef sharks, dogtooth tuna and giant trevally. Napoleon wrasse and a squadron of eagle rays are often spotted too. A school of banner fish provide a spectacular end to a spectacular dive!
