My Top 7 Dive Sites in the Deep South of the Maldives 

By Kadu Pinheiro

I’ve had the opportunity to dive in the central part of the Maldives on a past trip aboard the Blue Force One in 2019. At that time, I had heard about the southern route and its wonders, which instantly became a desire in my plans. Undoubtedly, diving with the tiger sharks of Fuvahmulah remains in my memory until today, but many other surprises awaited me on the southern route. And now, aboard of the Blue force 3, after an 11 days trip, I have compiled a list of my 7 favorite dive spots on this route, including “the Shark Island”.

Fuvahmulah:

One of the highlights of the southern route is Fuvahmulah, considered the third largest island in the Maldives. Located at one of the southernmost points of the country, composed of 1196 other islands, it is recognized not only for its natural beauty by locals and tourists but also as a paradise for divers and researchers. The reason for the highlight becomes apparent: the location is a true “shark sanctuary”, hosting various species, including the tigers. This unique setting offers the opportunity to spot a variety of animals just a few meters from the coast throughout the year.

Among the species present, the highlight goes to the Tiger Shark, providing a unique opportunity to observe this animal normally found in difficult-to-access tropical waters.

The constant presence of Tiger Sharks off the island’s coast can be attributed to their characteristics: the animal, which can grow up to 5.5 meters in older ages, is known to feed not only on the discards of local fishing activity, but also on artificial materials. Despite its greatness and variety of natural prey, which includes crustaceans, seals, turtles, squids and even smaller sharks.

The diving spot known as Tiger Zoo is located at the entrance to the port, where boats circulate constantly. Therefore, divers need to descend on the outer part of the port and in deeper waters, swimming about 300 meters to the feeding site. During the dive I performed, I counted 12 different individuals alternating in the area. It was an indescribable experience; although I had already dived with tigers in various parts of the world, the quantity and size of the animals in Fuvahmulah surpasses any other place I have visited.

It’s a dive that leaves everyone amazed; observing these animals here is a divine gift.

Gaafu Alifu, Villingili Shark Schools

Villingili Kandu is a channel south of Villingili Island, in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, known for the presence of large schools of grey reef sharks. The spectacle takes place at the edge of the channel, hosting an incredible amount of sharks that passes in front of it during certain times of the day. While at this dive, we used a reef hook to attach ourselves to the rocks at the edge of the channel and face the strong currents that attract the sharks to that point.

Describing this experience is almost impossible; seeing hundreds of these animals parading in front of us for over 30 minutes straight would be unimaginable for most people.

When we reached the bottom limit, we released the hooks and entered the channel, where we completed the drift dive, sighting dozens of turtles and other species that inhabit the most sheltered part of the atoll.

Turtle Point, Gaafu Alifu

Still in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll, I highlight another spot for sea turtle lovers, called Turtle Point for obvious reasons. This place is the permanent residence of a huge population of green turtles. There, you will have the opportunity to get close and observe these animals in various situations. For photographers, it’s a guarantee of dozens of images in multiple scenarios of these beloved animals.

Maareehaa Kandu

Imagine diving into a channel with a sandy bottom and rich reefs teeming with life. Also imagine a “highway” of eagle rays, swimming majestically through this channel. This is a perfect place to get close to one of the most graceful and difficult-to-reach animals. Due to the gentle current inside the channel, you can stand still next to the rays and observe them up close, a unique feeling of interaction with these animals.

Secret Coral Garden

One of the most epic and beautiful spots on the southern route, is a set of fully protected reefs discovered during a scientific expedition last year. Its location is kept under wraps to protect and preserve this site. There are hundreds of meters, if not kilometers, of hard coral formations, completely healthy, full of life on all sides. A unique color with unique formations that hark back to the days when all the reefs in the world should have looked like this. A true gift that is almost impossible to translate into images and that you will only experience on board of one of the Blue Force boats.

The Wreck of British Loyalty

Wreck History

The wreck at the Addu Atoll is the former 5,583-ton tanker “British Loyalty,” built in 1928 and owned by the Palmers Co. The ship was first torpedoed by a Japanese midget submarine in the port of Diego Suarez, Madagascar, in May 1942. Only slightly damaged, the ship was taken to the Addu Atoll in 1943 as a storage hull. It was torpedoed again in March 1944 by a German submarine, the U-183, when the submarine passed through a gap in the underwater nets around Gan Kandu. However, the ship did not sink.

Finally, the “British Loyalty” was sunk in the atoll in January 1946, when the British withdrew from the Maldives.

Diving

In fact, the wreckage lies between the islands of Maratona and Hithadhoo. The ship is lying starboard, about 33 meters from the bottom. The total length of the wreck is 140 meters and the bow is 16 meters. The ship attracted growth of hard and soft corals, covering large parts of the ship. There are two large holes, one on the deck and one on the keel, probably caused when the ship was torpedoed by a British warship. These holes are large enough for divers to enter and exit the ship. The temptation to make more technical penetrations was immense, but I stayed in the large internal areas of the ship and in its engine room. The size is impressive and the amount of life inside the wreck too. Its overturned side has become a true coral garden, with numerous species of colorful fish and small schools of fish swimming inside or around the wreckage. Manta rays, sharks and turtles can also be found while swimming around the wreck.

Maa Kandu, Manta Cleaning Station

A manta ray cleaning station at Maa Kandu, Manta Point offers a morning incoming current, making it a reliable spot to see reef mantas for a few hours each day.

We descend to 16 meters, where we follow the reef on our left side, floating along with the current with the reef hook in hand for when we need to fix ourselves due to the strong currents. We are instructed on how to use the reef hooks during our briefing to not damage any corals, but even before we reach the cleaning station, the first mantas are already passing through the channel. It’s impressive and elegant, a great preview of what’s to come.

We reach the cleaning station after five minutes of drifting and approach at 21 meters. We inflate our vests and hang on a line in the reef, facing the coral outcrop where the mantas come for cleaning. I count a total of 8 mantas around us – left, right, above, and below. There are so many that I don’t know where to look: a manta show in such clear waters, with visibility of about 20 meters, is a dream come true. We watch for more than 30 minutes and some mantas come so close that I can see their eyes at arm’s length… an amazing experience that at times I simply forget how to breathe or even do my job, taking pictures.

Diving in the southern Maldives is a transformative experience, offering a rare opportunity to explore the stunning beauty of the underwater world. From thrilling encounters with tiger sharks and manta rays to fascinating exploration of Word War II Wrecks and dives amidst vibrant coral reefs, this region captivates divers with its unparalleled natural wonders.