The five most popular dive sites – by embudu village maldives

#1 EMBUDU EXPRESS

At a glance.
Level: Experienced divers.
Dive type: Deep/drift dive.
Depth: Max 36m.
Marine life highlights: Groups of eagle rays, jack fish, barracudas and sharks.
Conditions: Only dived under special current conditions.

Just around the corner from Embudu, the experienced diver can expect a deep and short action-drift-dive. Descending directly at the edge of the reef we dive diagonally to the current into the middle of the channel where we hold on at the drop off at a depth of about 36m. Out in the blue-water, we get a collection of big-fish playing with the current; it’s impressive and thrilling.

What a diver dreams of his whole dive-life can be witnessed at Embudu Express: eagle-rays in formation (up to 20 and maybe more), huge stingrays, schools of jack fish and barracudas, big groupers and countless sharks.

To see the sharks playing in the current is fantastic – watching them turn off and then come quite close again, playfully swimming against the strong current whilst we hang on a coral block and try not to be swept off.

#2 EMBUDU THILA

Level: All levels, easy dive!
Dive type: Nitrox optional.
Depth: Max 30m.
Marine life highlights: Lots of colourful fish and corals.
Conditions: Mild current.
Boat trip: 13 mins.

“What is down under makes the value” – a hidden jewel of a dive site is just in front of our tropical island in the middle of the Embudu Channel. There is a unique reef with coral overgrowth and variety of animals… but hardly dived. The first Thila is sometimes briefly visited by divers coming from te Embudu Express, on their way up to the surface. The second Thila remains untouched. Very colourful and covered with corals untypical in the Maldives, this area of reef is perfectly suited for taking pictures or relaxing. It’s an easy dive – especially for enthusiasts about photography and lovers of fine detail.

#3. VICTORY

Level: Recommended for experienced divers.
Dive type: Wreck dive. Lamps recommended. Nitrox optional.
Depth: 22m to 30m.
Marine life highlights: Soft corals, giant baitfish, snappers and lionfish.
Conditions: Mild current to strong current during descent to the wreck.
Boat trip: 60 mins.

A trip out to the wreck of the Maldivian Victory is always a dive highlight. Compared to other dive bases, forced to do daytrips due to long distances, Diverland Embudu offers a boat trip of just an hour out to this old cargo ship of about 60 meters length. Descending by the anchor rope and the mast, we reach this mysterious ship lying at a depth of 20 to 30 meters, offering an exciting dive due to current and depth. You can stay on the ship’s bridge, watching down to the upper deck, or go for some exploration into the freight area of the ship. A lot of soft corals have settled on the wreck and many lionfish, snappers and big batfish (the biggest you can see around) live here. Totally different to the other reef spots, it is a real change and also a highlight for our experienced divers.

#4. CANYON

Level: All levels
Dive type: Reef dive with lots of overhangs and small caves. Lamp recommended.
Underwater camera – a must!
Depth: 22m to 30m.
Marine life highlights: Big napoleons and grey reef sharks.
Conditions: Mild current.
Boat trip: 40 mins.

One of the most impressive underwater landscapes is the “Canyon” – an inlet at the reef providing home to countless animals.

Previously, a part of the reef broke off and created a huge block next to the outside reef. Swimming through this canyon offers a snapshot of the Maldives’ underwater variety. There are a lot of small caves and overhangs to explore, and when you look up to the surface it makes your diving heart laugh – the sunbeams beautifully light the canyon, reflecting all its edges and corners – don’t forget your u/w camera! This dive site also provides us with blue water animals: just after the canyon at a coral block at about 30m depth sometimes grey-reef sharks are playing or big napoleons are crossing our way.

A dive-site famous all over the Maldives; a highlight to remember.

#5. POTATO REEF

Level: All levels
Dive type: Reef dive with lots overhangs and small caves. Lamp recommended.
Depth: 5m to 28m.
Marine life highlights: Variety of soft corals, clown-fish, banner fish and blue jackfish.
Conditions: No current.
Boat trip: 60 mins.

Located approximately 1 hour south of Embudu this inside-reef is quite uncommon and atypical for the Maldives.

After anchoring the boat, divers have plenty of time swim this “potato-round” reef.

Mostly between 15m and 20m, you can explore all parts of this colourful inside-reef.

One side offers many soft slopes covered with anemones and soft-corals while the other part is overgrown with sponges, soft-corals and offers a variety of colours like no other reef. The play of red, orange and yellow colours form a tempting contrast to white and pink. Together with all the fish-schools, the clown-fish, banner fish and the blue jackfish provide a unique symphony of colours and forms. Small and big caves
change with steep walls and overhangs and some caves offer the opportunity to dive through colourful channels and chimneys.

As an additional highlight you will find the wreck of a small cargo ship close to the reef. It is already nicely overgrown and adds some adventurous thrill and atmosphere to your dive.

Potato-reef offers an easy and current-free dive – so it doesn’t only perfectly fit beginners but also for photography enthusiasts.

After this sensory overload we drift with the current into the channel following the Thilas and surface in the blue-water.

Due to the depth, strong current, fast descent and surfacing in the blue-water this dive is only for experienced divers – Embudu Express isn’t just one of our highlights here it is also one of the best dives in the world!