Alimatha Zone

Devana Kandu * *

The channel between Vihamaafaru Falhu and Kudadhiggaru Falhu is divided in the middle by a 250 metres long reef. The passage on the south side of the reef is called "Miyaru Kandu", by Maldivian fihermen. It is more narrow than Bodu Miyaru Kandu, which is the passage on the north side. The entire channel, both north and south passage, has been declared a Protected Marine Area.

With an ingoing current, divers can experience one of the most exhilarating drift dives in Felidhoo Atoll. On the outside reef are caves and overhangs that drop vertically from 30 metres to the depths below. Grey reef sharks, eagle rays and pelagics are seen around the entrance to both passages, mostly during the north-east monsoon. The south passage has large coral rocks and it is not uncommon to see blue-face angelfish, saddled pufferfish and variegated lizardfish

In the middle of the north passage is a long narrow reef that rises slightly to 15 metres from the sandy floor at around 18 metres. As divers drift into the 1km long channel, the north and south passages join to make one vast field of healthy hard coral. The magnificient display of coral are spread across the 500 metres wide channel at a depth of around 15 metres, which is quite unlike any other channel dive.

Diving Hints: The best diving is with an ingoing current and because fo the size of this channel and the possibilities for diving both the north and south sides of the channel, boatman should be carefully advised of the dive-plan. As always, drift diving over coral requires good control of buoyancy to avoid damaging the coral.