Kondey Kandu - Vaavu Atoll

Moon Island, off the coast of New South Wales, always feels like a proper adventure. We like diving it on a clear day, when the sun really lights up the swim-throughs and small caves – they're not huge, more like dramatic rock formations you can explore. The maximum depth of 19 metres means you can take your time, really look in the cracks. We’ve found some brilliant little critters here; the Spitlure Frogfish is a personal favourite, blending in perfectly, and the Australian Spiny Pipehorse can be surprisingly cooperative for a photo. Winter is when the Grey Nurse Sharks often hang around, a real draw, but even in summer, the rocky shelves are busy with schools of fusiliers and the occasional inquisitive Great Stingaree gliding past. We’ve had dives where the visibility hovered around 8 metres, which isn't huge, but it focuses your attention on the immediate surroundings, revealing nudibranchs and eels tucked away. Keep an eye on the surface too; we’ve spotted White-bellied Sea Eagles circling overhead, a nice reminder of the wild coast. This site suits divers who appreciate exploring interesting topography and finding smaller, more unusual species rather than just big pelagics.

Location
Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
0.491400, 73.556500
Type
cave

Best Time to Dive in Vaavu Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in Vaavu Atoll occur in April, averaging 30.5°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.7°C
  • February: 28.9°C
  • March: 29.4°C
  • April: 30.5°C
  • May: 30.1°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.8°C
  • August: 29.9°C
  • September: 29.8°C
  • October: 29.3°C
  • November: 29.3°C
  • December: 29.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Vaavu Atoll

Nearest Dive Centres to Kondey Kandu

Marine Life in Vaavu Atoll

Home to 53 recorded species including 20 reef fish, 9 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 4 sharks & rays, 4 crabs & lobsters, 3 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Kondey Kandu

Based on average water temperature of 29.6°C, currents 19 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°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