Guraidhoo Channel - South Malé Atoll

Guraidhoo Channel is a classic Maldives drift. We’re talking about riding the current here, so it's a good spot for divers comfortable letting the water do the work. You’ll be propelled past patches of thalassia and cymodocea, which isn’t something you see everywhere, making it a little different from your typical reefscape. Keep an eye out for the crabs, like *Leptodius sanguineus* and *Leptodius nudipes*, often scuttling amongst the corals. It’s a solid Maldivian dive, not overly flashy, but consistently interesting, especially for those who appreciate the subtle details of the reef floor.

Location
South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
3.896087, 73.463524
Type
drift

Marine Protected Area: K.Guraidhoo 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

Nearest Dive Centres to Guraidhoo Channel

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

Recommended Packing List for Guraidhoo 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