Background

Kandooma Thila: A Diver's Paradise

Explore Kandooma Thila: An underwater pinnacle teeming with sharks, vibrant corals, and thrilling drift dives in the Maldives.

5
A question is required

Kandooma Thila, also known as Cocoa Thila, is a world-renowned dive site in the South Male Atoll, Maldives. This underwater pinnacle teems with vibrant coral, diverse marine life, and thrilling currents, making it a must-visit for experienced divers.

A brief summary to Kandooma thila

  • WF4H+QPP, Guraidhoo, MV

Local tips

  • Kandooma Thila is best suited for experienced divers due to strong currents; be prepared to descend quickly and use a reef hook.
  • Dive during a light-medium outgoing current for the best chance to see large numbers of sharks.
  • Consider a Nitrox Specialty certification to maximize your time at the shark cleaning station at 30m depth.
  • The period from December to May offers the best visibility due to the dry season.
  • Respect local customs by dressing modestly on local islands like Guraidhoo.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Boat

    Kandooma Thila is typically accessed by boat from nearby islands like Guraidhoo or Maafushi. Many guesthouses and dive centers on these islands offer daily trips to the dive site. A typical dive trip from Guraidhoo costs around $50-$75 per dive, including equipment. Boat fees are generally included in the dive package.

  • Ferry and Boat

    To reach Guraidhoo Island from Male, you can take a public ferry or a speedboat. The public ferry takes approximately 2 hours and costs around $2 per person. Speedboats take about 30-40 minutes and cost around $35 per person. From Guraidhoo, arrange a dive trip to Kandooma Thila with a local dive center. Dive packages typically range from $60-$75 per dive, including equipment rental and boat fees.

Unlock the Best of Kandooma thila

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

q

Discover more about Kandooma thila

Kandooma Thila is a submerged pinnacle in the South Male Atoll, Maldives, celebrated as one of the region's premier dive sites. Located north of Kandooma Island, this underwater mountain rises from depths of 40 meters (130 feet) to just 12 meters (40 feet) below the surface, offering a thrilling experience for advanced divers. The thila's unique topography features vibrant coral gardens, overhangs, and a diverse array of marine species. Divers can encounter grey reef sharks, eagle rays, white-tip sharks, and an abundance of colorful tropical fish. The strong currents that sweep through the area attract large pelagic species, making it a prime location for shark sightings. Divers often witness grey reef sharks at a cleaning station at 30m depth, where small wrasses attend to them. The west and north sides of Kandooma Thila are particularly spectacular, adorned with soft yellow, blue, and pink corals. Schools of bluefin trevallies, eagle rays, and dogtooth tunas are common sights, along with groups of grey reef sharks. The site is best dived with a light-medium outgoing current, which usually occurs when the tide rises. Kandooma Thila is accessible year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C to 30°C (80-86°F). Visibility is excellent, often reaching up to 30 meters (98 feet). The northeast monsoon (December-April) generally offers the calmest conditions and best visibility, while the southwest monsoon (May-November) brings more marine activity.

Popular Experiences near Kandooma thila

Popular Hotels near Kandooma thila

Select Currency