Embudu Express

A long drift through the Embudu channel in the north-east of South Malé, where currents can reach several knots. Divers drop to the channel edge at 25–30 m to watch grey and whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays and napoleon wrasse, then fly past caves (one about 25 m deep) and through a narrow canyon into the shallows. Hammerheads and mantas are occasionally reported.

Facts

• Region: Maldives – North & Central Atolls
• Area: South Malé Atoll
• Depth: 5–31 m
• Level: advanced
• Current: strong
• Type: channel, drift, wall
• Coordinates: 4.0868, 73.5341
• Highlights: grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasse, hammerhead, barracuda, jacks, caves, soft coral
• Tips: Protected since 1995 (Embudhoo Kandu). Marine Protected Area: fishing, anchoring and taking coral, shells or rock are prohibited. Negative entry and an SMB are standard; advanced divers only when the current runs hard.

Sources

• https://www.scubago.com/en/explore/divesite/embudu-express-88672
• https://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-maldives-south-male-atoll.php
• https://maafushidive.com/pages/dive-sites
• https://statisticsmaldives.gov.mv/yearbook2009/Environment/2.1.htm
• https://www.wannadive.net/spot/Asia/Maldives/Male_Atoll/South_Male_Atoll/Embudu_Channel/index.html