Miyaru Kandu
Experience the ultimate shark channel dive - where powerful currents, legendary grey reef sharks, and thrilling drift diving create the most adrenaline-pumping underwater adventure in the Maldives
Current Strength Assessment
Miyaru Kandu is renowned for its powerful currents - the lifeblood of this incredible ecosystem
Current Rating: Strong to Very Strong | Experience Required: Advanced
The Ultimate Shark Channel
Miyaru Kandu stands as the most legendary and challenging dive site in the Maldives, earning its reputation as the ultimate shark channel. Located in Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo Atoll), this dramatic underwater channel has been thrilling experienced divers for decades with its powerful currents and incredible shark encounters.
What makes Miyaru Kandu extraordinary is its perfect storm of conditions that create one of the world's premier shark diving experiences. The channel's strong currents funnel nutrients and prey, attracting an abundance of grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, and occasionally hammerhead sharks. The site's challenging conditions require advanced diving skills but reward experienced divers with unparalleled marine encounters.
Miyaru Kandu's reputation extends far beyond the Maldives, attracting shark enthusiasts and adrenaline seekers from around the world. The combination of powerful currents, dramatic topography, and consistent shark encounters makes it a bucket-list destination for serious Maldivian diving adventures and a highlight of advanced scuba diving in the region.
Miyaru Kandu Quick Facts
- Location: Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo)
- Distance from Male: 120 minutes by speedboat
- Depth Range: 15-40 meters (49-131 feet)
- Visibility: 20-35 meters (65-115 feet)
- Current: Strong to very strong
- Experience Level: Advanced to Expert
- Best Time: Incoming tide
- Famous For: Grey reef sharks & drift diving
Legendary Shark Encounters
Miyaru Kandu's powerful currents and unique topography create perfect conditions for some of the most thrilling shark encounters in the Indian Ocean.
Miyaru Kandu Location
Discover the exact location of this legendary shark channel in Vaavu Atoll
Location Details
📍 Coordinates
3°25'00.0"N 73°00'00.0"E
Latitude: 3.4167, Longitude: 73.0000
🏝️ Atoll
Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo Atoll)
Central Maldives region
🚤 Access
120 minutes from Male by speedboat
Liveaboard and resort access available
🌊 Channel Type
Natural underwater channel
Strong current passage between reefs
Drift Diving Techniques for Miyaru Kandu
Master these essential drift diving techniques to safely enjoy Miyaru Kandu's powerful currents and maximize your shark encounters.
Reef Hook Usage
Essential for maintaining position in strong currents. Hook onto dead coral or rocks, never living coral. Allow yourself to flow like a flag in the current while observing sharks.
Surface Marker Buoy
Deploy SMB early in the dive to mark your position. Essential for boat pickup in strong currents. Practice deployment before attempting Miyaru Kandu.
Group Formation
Stay close to your dive group and guide. Use hand signals frequently. Never fight the current - work with it to maintain position and conserve energy.
Energy Conservation
Minimize fin kicks and let the current do the work. Use reef structures for shelter when needed. Maintain neutral buoyancy to avoid being swept away.
Seasonal Diving Highlights
Miyaru Kandu offers thrilling shark encounters year-round, with seasonal variations affecting current strength, visibility, and marine life behavior patterns for advanced diving activities.
Northeast Monsoon
Best for: Predictable conditions and visibility
- More predictable current patterns
- Better visibility (25-35m)
- Calmer surface conditions
- Consistent shark encounters
- Ideal for underwater photography
- Peak tourist season
Southwest Monsoon
Best for: Maximum shark activity and adventure
- Stronger currents bring more nutrients
- Peak shark feeding activity
- More challenging and exciting conditions
- Better value diving packages
- Fewer crowds
- Enhanced marine life behavior
Access and Accommodation
Getting to Miyaru Kandu
Miyaru Kandu's location in Vaavu Atoll requires dedicated planning due to its distance from Male, but the journey is rewarded with some of the world's best shark diving experiences.
Access Options:
- Liveaboard Expeditions: Most popular option for serious divers
- Day Trips from Male: 120-minute speedboat journey
- Vaavu Atoll Resorts: Felidhoo Island area
- Multi-day Packages: Combined with other Vaavu sites
Nearby Accommodations
- Liveaboard Vessels: Best option for multiple dives
- Vaavu Atoll Resorts: Limited but high-quality options
- Local Island Stays: Basic guesthouse accommodations
- Male-based Operations: Long day trips possible
Dive Requirements
- Certification: Advanced Open Water minimum
- Experience: 50+ logged dives recommended
- Skills: Drift diving experience essential
- Medical: Current diving medical certificate
- Equipment: Reef hook and SMB mandatory
Typical Costs (USD):
- Liveaboard Package: $200-350 per day
- Day Trip from Male: $180-250
- Two-Tank Dive: $150-200
- Equipment Rental: $40-60 per day
- Reef Hook Rental: $10-15 per dive
What's Included:
- Expert drift diving guide
- Safety equipment and briefing
- Boat transfers to dive site
- Emergency oxygen and first aid
- Surface support boat
Other Outstanding Sites in Vaavu Atoll
Combine your Miyaru Kandu dive with other exceptional sites in Vaavu Atoll for a complete shark diving experience and explore the best of Maldives diving spots in this remote atoll.
Fotteyo Kandu
Another excellent channel dive in Vaavu Atoll with strong currents and shark encounters. Perfect complement to Miyaru Kandu for multi-dive expeditions.
Depth: 20-40 meters | Level: Advanced
Alimatha Jetty
Famous night diving site with nurse sharks and stingrays. Offers a different diving experience to complement the adrenaline of Miyaru Kandu.
Depth: 5-15 meters | Level: All levels
Veligandu Thila
Pristine thila dive with excellent coral formations and diverse marine life. Perfect for relaxing after the intensity of Miyaru Kandu's currents.
Depth: 10-30 meters | Level: Intermediate
Safety Protocols & Conservation
Miyaru Kandu's challenging conditions require the highest safety standards and conservation awareness. Learn more about diving safety standards and marine life conservation in the Maldives.
🌊 Current Safety
Never dive Miyaru Kandu without proper drift diving training and equipment. Always dive with experienced guides who know the site's current patterns and emergency procedures.
🦈 Shark Encounter Ethics
Maintain respectful distances from all sharks. Never chase or corner sharks - observe their natural behavior from a safe distance. Use reef hooks to maintain position without disturbing marine life.
📡 Emergency Procedures
Always carry surface marker buoys and know emergency ascent procedures. Strong currents can separate divers quickly - follow your guide's instructions and stay with the group at all times.
🌍 Conservation Impact
Miyaru Kandu's shark populations are vital to the ecosystem. Support conservation efforts by choosing responsible dive operators and following all environmental guidelines during your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Miyaru Kandu is renowned as the Maldives' premier shark channel, featuring consistent encounters with grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, and occasional hammerheads. The channel's strong currents create perfect hunting conditions for sharks, providing thrilling encounters for experienced divers.
Miyaru Kandu requires Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent experience due to strong currents and challenging conditions. Divers should be comfortable with drift diving techniques and have experience in moderate to strong current conditions.
The best diving conditions at Miyaru Kandu are during incoming tides when currents bring nutrients and attract sharks. The northeast monsoon (December-April) offers the most predictable conditions, while the southwest monsoon provides more dynamic encounters.
Miyaru Kandu is famous for its strong currents, which can range from moderate to very strong depending on tidal conditions. These currents are essential for the site's marine life activity but require experienced divers and proper drift diving techniques.
Yes, diving with sharks at Miyaru Kandu is safe when proper protocols are followed. The sharks are not aggressive toward divers and are focused on hunting in the current. Experienced guides ensure safe encounters while maintaining respectful distances from all marine life.
Experience Miyaru Kandu
Challenge yourself with the ultimate shark diving adventure where powerful currents, legendary grey reef sharks, and thrilling drift diving create the most adrenaline-pumping underwater experience in the Maldives.
Explore Vaavu Atoll Diving