Maa Kandu (Mudakan Manta Point)

Maa Kandu is the northern channel of Addu Atoll, linking the lagoon with the outer wall. Inside the channel, on the incoming current, a year-round manta cleaning station sits at about 19–25 m, and local guides report up to 30 reef mantas on good days. Grey reef sharks, eagle rays and napoleon wrasse patrol the channel, and the outgoing tide carries divers out onto the 30 m outer wall.

Facts

• Region: Maldives – Deep South
• Area: Addu
• Depth: 15–30 m
• Level: advanced
• Current: strong
• Type: channel, drift, manta
• Coordinates: -0.6067, 73.1541
• Highlights: manta rays (cleaning station 19–25 m), grey reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasse, whitetip reef sharks
• Tips: Best on the incoming current, entering at the eastern corner; current can be very strong – reef hook and SMB strongly recommended. Keep your distance from the cleaning station. The EPA declared this a protected marine area in 2018; dive gently and avoid damaging coral.

Sources

• https://www.divessi.com/en/mydiveguide/divesite/muda-kan-maldives-258212
• https://www.divessi.com/en/mydiveguide/divesite/addu-manta-point-maldives-281359
• https://www.wannadive.net/spot/Asia/Maldives/Addu_Atoll/Maa_Kandu
• https://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-maldives-deep-south.php
• https://maldivesindependent.com/environment/marine-areas-near-addu-city-to-be-protected-142330