Kandooma Thila

Kandooma Thila (Kandooma–Guraidhoo)

Prepare for an exhilarating dive at Kandooma Thila, often known by its aliases Cocoa Thila or Cocoa Corner, a world-renowned dive site in the South Malé Atoll. This teardrop-shaped submerged pinnacle, approximately 250-300 meters long, is celebrated for its dramatic topography and the incredible density of marine life it attracts.

Dive Site Features and Conditions

Kandooma Thila is an advanced dive site, requiring an Advanced Open Water certification due to its challenging conditions. The thila's top typically lies between 12-16 meters, while its flanks plunge dramatically to a sandy base at depths of 30-40 meters. Divers will find a fascinating landscape of overhangs and drop-offs, adorned with vibrant soft corals in hues of yellow, blue, and pink.

This dive site is characterized by strong currents, which can range from moderate to very strong, making it a thrilling drift dive. These currents are precisely what make Kandooma Thila a magnet for pelagic species, creating spectacular underwater encounters. The water temperature here is consistently warm, ranging from 25°C to 30°C, providing comfortable diving conditions year-round.

Given the strong currents and potential for overhead environments within the thila's features, we recommend careful dive planning and the use of a surface marker buoy.

Marine Life Encounters

Kandooma Thila is truly a spectacle of marine biodiversity. When the tide runs, particularly on the up-current west and north points, divers are treated to one of South Malé's greatest shark and trevally shows. You can expect to encounter loose packs of Grey Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), often seen in groups of 50 or more in the right current, along with impressive schools of Bluefin Trevally (Caranx melampygus) and Bigeye Trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus).

The dive site is also home to a renowned cleaning station, especially near the northeast pinnacle, where divers can observe Grey Reef Sharks in a vertical position as small wrasses perform their cleaning duties. Beyond the sharks and trevallies, divers will frequently spot majestic Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari) and graceful Reef Manta Rays (Mobula alfredi) riding the currents.

Other notable residents include the powerful Dogtooth Tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) and formidable Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda). Keep an eye out for the magnificent Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), also known as Napoleon Wrasse, and the sleek Silvertip Shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus).

For turtle enthusiasts, both Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) are regular sightings, often gliding gracefully over the coral formations or resting in cleaning stations.