Kandooma Thila
Discover one of the Maldives' most accessible and diverse thila dives - where vibrant coral formations, abundant marine life, and excellent visibility create perfect underwater adventures for divers of all levels
Perfect for All Diving Levels
Located just 30 minutes from Male International Airport, Kandooma Thila offers world-class thila diving suitable for beginners to advanced divers, with multiple depth options and gentle currents
The Crown Jewel of Thila Diving
Kandooma Thila stands as one of the most celebrated and accessible dive sites in the Maldives, offering divers an exceptional introduction to thila diving. Located near Kandooma Island in Kaafu Atoll (South Male Atoll), this underwater seamount has been captivating divers with its pristine coral formations and incredible marine diversity.
What makes Kandooma Thila extraordinary is its perfect combination of accessibility and marine richness. The thila rises from depths of 30 meters to just 8 meters below the surface, creating multiple diving zones suitable for all experience levels. The site's gentle currents and excellent visibility make it ideal for underwater photography and marine life observation.
The thila's proximity to Male makes it a favorite among day trip divers and resort guests alike. Despite its accessibility, Kandooma Thila delivers encounters and coral formations that rival the most remote dive sites in the Maldives, making it an essential stop on any Maldivian diving itinerary.
Kandooma Thila Quick Facts
- Location: Kaafu Atoll (South Male)
- Distance from Male: 30 minutes by speedboat
- Depth Range: 8-30 meters (26-98 feet)
- Visibility: 25-40 meters (82-131 feet)
- Current: Mild to moderate
- Experience Level: All levels
- Best Time: Year-round
- Famous For: Coral formations & diverse marine life
Spectacular Marine Encounters
Kandooma Thila's diverse ecosystem and pristine coral formations create perfect conditions for encounters with an incredible variety of marine species, from tiny reef fish to larger pelagic visitors.
Tropical Reef Fish
Kandooma Thila hosts an incredible diversity of reef fish species. Schools of blue-green chromis, anthias, and butterflyfish create colorful displays around the coral formations, while angelfish and parrotfish graze on the reef.
Best Viewing: Throughout the thila, all depths
White Tip Reef Sharks
White tip reef sharks are regular residents of Kandooma Thila, often found resting in sandy patches or cruising around the coral formations. These docile sharks provide excellent photo opportunities.
Best Viewing: Sandy areas and coral overhangs, 15-25m depth
Napoleon Wrasse
Large Napoleon wrasse are occasional visitors to Kandooma Thila, these impressive fish can grow over 2 meters in length and are known for their curious and friendly nature toward divers.
Best Viewing: Open water areas around the thila
Sea Turtles
Both green and hawksbill turtles visit Kandooma Thila to feed on algae and sponges. These graceful reptiles are often seen gliding over the coral formations or resting in cleaning stations.
Best Viewing: Coral gardens and cleaning stations, 10-20m depth
Thila Topography & Dive Zones
Understanding Kandooma Thila's underwater landscape helps maximize your diving experience across different depth zones and coral formations.
Shallow Plateau
Vibrant coral gardens perfect for beginners
Main Thila
Dense coral formations with maximum diversity
Deep Slopes
Dramatic drop-offs with larger marine life
Sandy Patches
Resting areas for sharks and rays
Diving Conditions & Seasonal Patterns
Kandooma Thila offers excellent conditions year-round, with gentle currents and outstanding visibility making it perfect for divers of all experience levels.
Current Strength
Visibility
Outstanding most of the year
Water Temperature
Comfortable year-round
Best Dive Times
Excellent conditions throughout the day
Underwater Photography at Kandooma Thila
The thila's excellent visibility, diverse marine life, and stunning coral formations make it one of the best photography sites in the Maldives for both macro and wide-angle photography.
Coral Formations
Capture the vibrant hard and soft corals using natural light. The shallow areas provide perfect lighting conditions for showcasing the reef's incredible colors and textures.
Fish Behavior
Focus on cleaning stations and feeding behaviors. The thila's diverse ecosystem provides countless opportunities for capturing natural fish interactions and schooling behaviors.
Macro Photography
Explore the coral formations for small critters and nudibranchs. The healthy reef ecosystem supports a rich variety of macro subjects perfect for close-up photography.
Wide-Angle Scenes
Capture the entire thila structure with divers for scale. The excellent visibility allows for stunning wide-angle compositions showcasing the reef's impressive size and beauty.
Seasonal Diving Highlights
Kandooma Thila offers exceptional diving year-round, with seasonal variations providing different experiences and optimal conditions for various types of underwater activities.
Northeast Monsoon
Best for: Perfect visibility and calm conditions
- Outstanding visibility (35-40m)
- Minimal current for easy diving
- Perfect for underwater photography
- Ideal for beginner divers
- Excellent coral viewing conditions
- Calm surface conditions
Southwest Monsoon
Best for: Enhanced marine activity and value
- Increased plankton brings more fish
- More active marine life behavior
- Better chances for larger species
- Excellent value diving packages
- Fewer crowds on the reef
- Still excellent diving conditions
Access and Accommodation
Getting to Kandooma Thila
Kandooma Thila's location in South Male Atoll makes it one of the most accessible world-class dive sites in the Maldives, perfect for day trips, resort diving, and diving activities.
Access Options:
- Day Trips from Male: 30-minute speedboat journey
- Resort Dive Centers: South Male Atoll resorts
- Liveaboard Expeditions: Multi-atoll diving safaris
- Local Island Stays: Maafushi Island guesthouses
Nearby Accommodations
- Male City Hotels: Easy day trip access
- Hulhumale Hotels: Airport proximity
- South Male Resorts: Dedicated dive centers
- Local Island Guesthouses: Budget-friendly options
Dive Requirements
- Certification: Open Water or higher
- Experience: Suitable for all levels
- Skills: Basic buoyancy control
- Medical: Valid diving medical certificate
- Equipment: Standard diving gear
Typical Costs (USD):
- Day Trip from Male: $100-150
- Two-Tank Dive: $80-120
- Resort Dive Package: $60-100 per dive
- Equipment Rental: $25-40 per day
- Underwater Camera: $20-35 per day
What's Included:
- Professional dive guide
- Safety equipment and briefing
- Boat transfers to dive site
- Light refreshments
- Emergency oxygen on board
Other Outstanding Sites in Kaafu Atoll
Combine your Kandooma Thila dive with other exceptional sites in Kaafu Atoll for a complete South Male Atoll diving experience and explore the best of Maldives diving spots.
Guraidhoo Corner
Legendary corner dive with strong currents, eagle rays, and grey reef sharks. Perfect complement to thila diving with exciting drift diving experiences.
Depth: 12-35 meters | Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Cocoa Thila
Another excellent thila dive in South Male Atoll, offering similar coral formations with different marine life patterns and underwater topography.
Depth: 10-30 meters | Level: All levels
Fish Head
Famous cleaning station dive with grey reef sharks and diverse marine life. Excellent for combining with thila diving for varied underwater experiences.
Depth: 15-35 meters | Level: Intermediate
Safety Protocols & Conservation
Kandooma Thila's gentle conditions and excellent visibility make it perfect for developing diving skills while maintaining the highest safety and conservation standards. Learn more about diving safety standards in the Maldives.
🌊 Gentle Conditions
The thila's mild currents and multiple depth options make it safe for all diving levels. Always follow your guide's instructions and stay within your certification limits.
🪸 Reef Protection
Maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid coral contact. The pristine coral formations require careful diving practices to preserve this underwater ecosystem for future generations.
📸 Responsible Photography
Capture the reef's beauty without disturbing marine life. The excellent visibility and abundant subjects allow for stunning photography while maintaining respectful distances.
🐠 Marine Life Respect
Observe marine life without interference. The thila's diverse ecosystem provides incredible encounters when approached with patience and respect for natural behaviors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kandooma Thila offers the perfect combination of accessibility, pristine coral formations, and diverse marine life. Located just 30 minutes from Male, it provides world-class thila diving suitable for all experience levels, with excellent visibility and gentle currents that make it ideal for underwater photography and marine life observation.
Kandooma Thila is suitable for all diving levels, from Open Water divers to advanced technical divers. The multiple depth zones (8-30 meters) allow beginners to explore the shallow coral gardens while experienced divers can venture to the deeper slopes. The gentle currents make it perfect for building diving skills.
Kandooma Thila offers excellent diving year-round. The northeast monsoon (December-April) provides the best visibility and calmest conditions, perfect for photography. The southwest monsoon (May-November) brings more marine activity and better value, while still maintaining excellent diving conditions.
Kandooma Thila is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Male, with the journey taking just 30 minutes by speedboat. Many operators offer full-day packages including multiple dives, equipment, and refreshments. This accessibility makes it perfect for short diving holidays or single-day adventures.
Kandooma Thila hosts an incredible diversity of marine life including colorful reef fish, white tip reef sharks, sea turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and occasionally larger pelagic species. The healthy coral formations support a rich ecosystem with excellent opportunities for both macro and wide-angle photography subjects.
Experience Kandooma Thila
Discover the perfect thila dive where pristine coral formations, diverse marine life, and excellent visibility create unforgettable underwater adventures suitable for divers of all levels, just minutes from Male International Airport.
Explore Kaafu Atoll Diving