Embudu Channel - South Malé Atoll
Embudu Channel is a solid choice for a drift dive when you’re in South Malé. We’ve found the currents here can range from a gentle push to a full-on express train, so it’s one for those comfortable with some movement. You’ll spend most of your time gliding along, often with grey reef sharks cruising by the channel edge and schooling snappers hugging the reef. The depth typically maxes out around 29 metres. It’s a good one to hit if you’re looking for a reliable channel dive without too much fuss, especially if the current is running in your favour for some easy shark spotting.
- Location
- South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- 4.086000, 73.536700
- Type
- drift
- Maximum Depth
- 29m
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Marine Protected Area: K.Embudhoo Kan'duolhi
Best Time to Dive in South Malé Atoll
The warmest water temperatures in South Malé Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.5°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.5°C
- February: 28.8°C
- March: 29.4°C
- April: 30.4°C
- May: 30.1°C
- June: 29.6°C
- July: 29.7°C
- August: 29.6°C
- September: 29.4°C
- October: 29.3°C
- November: 29.3°C
- December: 29.0°C
Nearby Dive Sites in South Malé Atoll
- Adam Faru - 5-20m (reef)
- Admiral 1 - 24m (wreck)
- Admiral 3 - 23m (wreck)
- Alikoe Giri - 16m (pinnacle)
- Alimas Faru (reef)
- Ali Tila (pinnacle)
- Anna Giri - 25m (pinnacle)
- Appa Thila - 21m (pinnacle)
- Aquarium (reef)
- Banana reef (reef)
- Banner Reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Biyadoo Housereef (reef)
- Biyadoo Kuda Giri (pinnacle)
- Black Coral Faru - 15-35m (reef)
- Boahura Express - 25m (drift)
Nearest Dive Centres to Embudu Channel
- Aquafanatics - ["PADI"]
- Aqua Quest - ["PADI"]
- Ayala Bubbles
- Best Dives Hathaafinolhu - ["PADI"]
- Dive Center
- DivePoint Guraidhoo - SSI, internationally recognized Diving Agency
Marine Life in South Malé Atoll
Home to 106 recorded species including 44 reef fish, 41 hard corals, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other.
Notable Species
- Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) - Reef Fish
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora secale) - Hard Corals
- Table coral (Acropora clathrata) - Hard Corals
- Lineated Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Allison's Tuna (Thunnus albacares) - Reef Fish
- Blue Shark (Prionace glauca) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora lutkeni) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora aculeus) - Hard Corals
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- Crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) - Starfish
- Coral Blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora tenuis) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora paniculata) - Hard Corals
- Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Embudu Channel
Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 19 cm/s.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories