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Kanuhura
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Set on a 1000m-long white, sand island within the turquoise waters of a shallow lagoon,...
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Maldives: Search Dive Areas
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Lhaviyani-Atoll
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Lhaviyani Atoll - A paradise dream in real life, with kilometres of white beaches and aquamarine lagoons with eye-catching fish and other marine species that will join your dive and witness your exploration of the deep blue world. Situated north of the North Malé Atoll, the 18 x 35 km atoll has only been opened to tourism a few years ago. The atoll, officially also known as Faadhippolhu Atoll, consist of about 50 islands of which only 5 are inhabited. These Islands are Hinnavaru, the main island, Naifaru, where the chief of the atoll resides, Kurendhoo, Olhuvelifushi and Felivaru. As some of the best diving opportunities on Lhaviyani Atoll can be found in the northern part of the atoll one of the Resort Islands in this region, such as Kanuhuraa, looks appealing.
In the north-western region of the atoll lies The Graveyard. Two wrecks lie in this channel within 60 m of each other. The larger of the tow vessels, the Skipjack I, can be seen from miles away as its rusting bow stands 6 m proud of the surface. The ship was once owned by the Felivaru Canning Factory, which was intending to scrap it, but while Maldivians were working on board, it caught fire and eventually sank. Standing vertically against the reef on the seafloor at 30 m the Skipjack has two open holds and it is possible to swim into the holds and up through the bow of the vessel. At 15 m you will find a huge submerged gantry, heavily covered by bright coloured soft and hard corals. Exploring the foredeck you will encounter swarms of orange butterfly perch and hundreds of sergeant major fish ferociously guarding their territories. Friendly schools of batfish will guide you second wreck as they swim from one to the other.
The second wreck, the Gaafaru, lies on its port side on sand at 30 m. The vessel is intact, thus offering you the possibility to explore the wheelhouse and some of the holds. Please take particular care when entering the Skipjack as divers can sometimes be washed through the gap between the hull and the reef. There is no immediate danger in that, but it can be very annoying.
At the northern tip of the atoll lies Fehigili a great place for grey sharks, barracudas, trevallies, tuna and who knows what else that may come in from the ocean. The inside reef of the Fehigili channel drops down in a series of 10 m steps like a spiral staircase until the ocean drop-off at 40 m (130 ft). Large caves and overhangs between 15 m (50 ft) and 30 m (100ft) denote the place where the steps meet the corner of the reef. This place is full of soft corals and densely populated by soldierfish, squirrelfish and harlequin sweet lips to name but a few. Divers longing for greater depths can descend to the plate at 35 m (115 ft) where the huge overhang’s ceiling and walls are covered in blue and yellow soft coral and bright orange Tubastrea. At the ocean side corner of the site, the reef forms a small basin marked by two huge boulders at either end. Packed with schooling fish which appear to be larger and friendlier than usual, this site makes for a perfect place for photography.
Fushifaru. The first being the Fushifaru Inside Reef, no doubt one of the most beautiful table coral reefs in the Maldives. Some of the corals are up to 3 m (10 ft) in diameter and are in flawless condition, displaying a fantastic variety of colour and providing shelter to countless fish. A broad fringing reef is situated at the north side of Fushifaru Island with gardens beginning midway along the reef and extending westwards for about 200 m (660 ft). To find the best starting point is relatively easy. Look out for a huge porites coral that rises to just below the surface from the shoulder of the reef at 15 m (50 ft). A large school of glassfish, a number of vermilion rock cod as well as black saddled coral trout have settled in and around this big coral outcrop. This is truly a superb site for divers and snorkellers alike.
The second site in the Fushifaru region is Fushifaru Kandu. This channel between Fushifaru and the fringing reef of Guraidhoo Island is a spectacular and challenging dive. The reef of Fushifaru Island slopes gently down and extends out 350 m (1,150 ft), before meeting the vertical drop-off which spans across the 400 m (1,310 ft) wide channel. Fushifaru Kandu is best dived when the current is flowing into the atoll from the ocean. If you are experienced diver, jump into the blue water on the ocean side, make a rapid descent to 35 m (115 ft) and allow the current to take you into the face of the channel. A ledge and a set of caves which extend across the mouth of the channel at the top of the drop-off are venue to a marine life extravaganza. Grey sharks and eagle rays hunt in the currents that sweep along this vertical wall, huge schools of jackfish circle above while barracudas, giant yellowfin and dogtooth tuna are frequently seen. Leaving the wall behind and drifting inside the atoll, the channel quickly rises to 20 m (65 ft) and you are offered three different possibilities; drift over the thila that lies in the middle of the channel or make your way to either the north or the south fringing reef.
The third and final spot in the Fushifaru region is Fushifaru Thila, a stunning site with fabulous coral and fish life. About 250 m (820 ft) long and 30 m (100 ft) wide, with the reef sides sloping gently from the reef-top at 10 to 15 m (33-50 ft) to the atoll bed at 30 m (100 ft), the top of the thila is the best part of the dive with excellent hard and soft corals. Napoleon wrasse and schools of humpback and blue-striped snappers are very common in this thila. Large Porites corals where large numbers of cleaner wrasses are found are all along the length of the thila. It is here where from May through to November mantas are often spotted. The natural beauty of this site is simply remarkable.
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