Sparsely populated, Felidhoo Atoll contains 26 main islands, only five of which are inhabited. The islands are covered in lush tropical growth, and are surrounded by beautiful sapphire seas. With dive sites for beginning divers and experts alike, the area is well known for its manta ray and whale shark encounters. There are more than fifteen named dive sites around the atoll, all of which are special in their own right. Here are just five favorites to provide a sample of all Felidhoo Atoll has to offer.
Fotteyo East Point
A narrow channel bordered by walls wreathed in soft coral and sponge growth, Fotteyo East Point is one of the best sites in the Maldives. Thanks to steady currents, divers commonly encounter reef sharks and tuna, barracudas, and rays, including manta rays on occasion. During the early morning hours, hammerhead sharks may be seen, and along the walls, reef fish swim in colorful profusion. Small caves hide moray eels, glassfish, and crustaceans, and sometimes you’ll find turtles hiding here as well. Maximum depth is 25 meters, with the walls beginning 10 meters beneath the surface.
Alimatha Kandu
Located right in front of the island of Alimatha, Alimatha Kandu is a fantastic site for all divers. Featuring a pair of gentle slopes with a central channel, the reef is covered in a tapestry of soft coral and sponges which have attached themselves to the reef plate which is unfortunately not living. With a drop off to more than forty meters along the outer edge, the reef begins at ten meters beneath the surface and is home to countless tropical species. Watch for eagle rays and stingrays, white tip reef sharks and grey reef sharks, and the occasional hammerhead as you explore. Despite the relatively shallow profile at reef’s top, this site is subject to strong currents and is not suitable for novices.
Golden Wall
Named for the beautiful blanket of yellow soft coral that covers it, Golden Wall is located adjacent to a channel that acts as a busy expressway for sharks and stingrays, eagle rays, schooling tuna and trevally, and lots of sleek, torpedo-shaped barracuda. With overhangs where turtles and sharks sometimes nap, and where swathes of shimmering glassfish and colorful schools of anthias and other reef fish can normally be found, the site is also home to moray eels, lobsters, crabs, and others. Beginning at ten meters and featuring a maximum depth at 35 meters, the site is suitable for all divers.
Rakeedhoo Kandu
A deep channel with caves and overhangs embellishing the walls that border it, Rakeedhoo Kandu features depths between ten and fifty meters, and is subject to strong currents at times. A fantastic drop off allows for a view into the deep blue, where the ocean floor is at a depth of 150 meters, and the walls are coated in splendid coral growth, lush gorgonians, and colorful sponges, along with big black coral trees. During early morning hours, it is not uncommon to see hammerhead sharks here, and at other times, you’ll find big grey reef sharks, along with smaller black-tip reef sharks. Watch for schooling napoleon and barracuda, tuna, jacks, kingfish, and others in the channel, and don’t forget to take a look at the walls, where moray eels and other creatures can be found in abundance.
Ben Thila
With depths between five and thirty meters, Ben Thila is suitable for all divers, and is home to a nearly unbelievable array of marine life. Rising up from the sandy seabed, with a huge crack in its middle at a depth of about 10 meters, the reef has a healthy hard coral population and is blanketed in colorful sponge and soft coral in shades of pink, yellow, and orange, lavender and blue. Manta rays are encountered here from time to time, as are eagle rays and reef sharks. Watch for stingrays in the sand, and keep an eye out for turtles, tuna, barracuda, and jacks.
There are a few resorts on those islands which are inhabited, but as with so many of the Maldives other popular diving areas, Felidhoo Atoll is visited primarily by liveaboard. The best diving, and the best chances of enjoying a manta or whale shark encounter, takes place between December and April each year. Book in advance, as space is limited.