Safety · Destination Guide
Channel drifts, soft-coral walls, and an iconic night dive in a quieter Maldives atoll
Updated Feb 13, 2026 • 27 sources
Vaavu rewards good skills. The same currents that bring sharks and schooling fish also demand drift-diving discipline, conservative profiles, and strong surface signaling. On the conservation side, treat reefs and animals with strict no-contact rules, and choose operators who brief wildlife interactions and support local protection efforts.
For kandu dives, plan for strong current, negative entries, and potential blue-water pickups. Carry an SMB on every dive and practice deployment before the trip. Stay close to your buddy, keep your depth and gas under control, and do not follow animals into the blue or into overhead spaces. On night dives (especially Alimatha Jetty), manage buoyancy carefully in shallow water and avoid finning up sand or crowding other groups.
Serious medical care is centered in Male, and evacuation from Vaavu may involve speedboat and or seaplane coordination. For dive injuries, contact your operator immediately, provide 100% oxygen if available, and coordinate with a hyperbaric unit. Carry dive accident insurance (such as DAN) because hyperbaric treatment and evacuation can be expensive.
Strong currents in kandus
Currents can move from mild to intense quickly, especially near channel mouths. If you are not comfortable with drift protocols, choose sheltered reef dives or hire a private guide.
Blue-water ascents and boat traffic
Some drifts finish away from the reef. Carry an SMB, inflate it before surfacing, and listen closely to pickup procedures.
Overhangs and caves
Sites like Fulidhoo Kandu and Devana Kandu include caves and overhangs. Stay outside overhead environments unless trained, and watch for surge and current around entrances.
Heat and dehydration
Multiple drift dives plus tropical heat can push dehydration. Drink aggressively, add electrolytes, and do not skip surface-interval shade.
Do not touch coral, do not collect shells or coral, and do not feed wildlife. Maintain distance from sharks, rays, and turtles and allow them a clear exit path. Maldives policy has historically protected sharks strongly, but a Gulper Shark Fishery Management Regulation was published in late 2025 for deep-water gulper sharks, and rules can evolve. If shark conservation matters to your trip, check for updates and support operators and NGOs working on sustainable management and reef protection.
Do Not Do This
Avoid entering when strong currents in kandus. Confirm local briefings before committing.
| Contact | Role | Phone | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives Police Emergency | Police | 119 | 24/7 |
| National Ambulance | Ambulance | 102 | 24/7 |
| Fire and Rescue | Fire | 118 | 24/7 |
| ADK Hospital Hyperbaric Treatment Unit (Male) | Hyperbaric medicine / decompression illness support | +960 331-3060 | Hospital hotline (confirm 24/7 coverage when calling) |
| Kuredu Medical Clinic and Hyperbaric Centre | Hyperbaric chamber hotline | +960 7907510 / +960 7901754 | 24/7 hotline |