Lhaviyani Atoll · Maldives · Channel & pass · Drift
Kuredu Express
Grey reef sharks in schools of 20 or more on an incoming tide
Area photo: asands from London, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0
A drift dive through a sandy channel in Lhaviyani Atoll, where the current carries divers past a series of terraces at different depths and a coral canyon at around 20 m, with the channel reaching 30 m. It is known for grey reef sharks gathering in schools of 20 or more on an incoming tide, and for green sea turtles in counts among the highest in the Maldives.
Where it is and how deep
5.5585° N, 73.4781° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
Kuredu Express is dived on the current, ideally an incoming tide. You drop into the sandy channel and let the flow do the work, moving along a series of terraces set at different depths. The terraces are the places to pause: tuck in, hold position and watch the channel, because that is where the grey reef sharks gather, often in schools of 20 or more when the tide is running in.
Green sea turtles are the other regular sighting, with documented counts here among the highest in the Maldives, and silvertip and whitetip reef sharks are occasionally reported alongside the greys. Part way through, a canyon dressed in corals at around 20 m breaks up the sandy channel; the channel itself reaches 30 m. The drift continues past it until the boat picks you up at the end of the channel.
Marine life and season
- Reef sharks
- Sea turtles
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime |
Season follows Lhaviyani Atoll: Iruvai, the dry northeast monsoon (Dec–Apr), is calm and clear; the wet Hulhangu monsoon (Jun–Nov) can chop the surface but brings mantas to Fushifaru Thila, peaking Oct–Nov.
Know before you go
- The dive is a drift on tidal current: agree a pick-up plan with the boat before entry and use the terraces to stop rather than fighting the flow.
Questions divers ask
What is the best tide for Kuredu Express?+
An incoming tide, when grey reef sharks gather in the channel in schools of 20 or more and the current carries divers past the terraces.
How deep is Kuredu Express?+
The channel reaches 30 m. A coral canyon sits at around 20 m and the terraces along the channel lie at a range of depths.
Sources
- Diving sites Maldives - Northern Atolls - Lhaviyani Atoll — Dive The World
- Kuredu Express — PADI
More dive sites in Lhaviyani Atoll
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Healthy hard coral from a 5 m top down to about 30 m
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Overhangs on a 5 m to 30 m thila dived for macro life
Channel & pass
A strong-current channel corner reaching 30 m
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A 20-minute channel crossing between corners at 12–30 m
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Two tongues of reef descending to 20–22 m on the southern side
Similar dives elsewhere
Advanced channel drift with sharks between 22 and 30 m
Drift the channel corner on either tide, 5 to 25 m
A channel protected for its grey reef and whitetip sharks
Overhangs and cavities from 10 m to beyond 30 m on the channel's south side