Rolling in the Deep

The Maldives is known as one of the best diving destinations in the world, with the waters around COMO Cocoa Island home to over twenty of the Indian Ocean’s most celebrated reefs and underwater caves.

“In the deep space of the sea, I have found my moon”. These are the words of the legendary French inventor and underwater filmmaker, Jacques Costeau. Our enduring fascination with what lies under the waves is many-layered. Maybe it’s the mystery of an environment that can feel as far away as space; maybe it’s the colours of a coral reef, or the rare creatures that swim through the depths. Whatever the lure, diving is one of the most extraordinary experiences you can have when visiting COMO Cocoa Island. Here, we break down three of the most unique diving sites to explore.

Cocoa Thila

Regularly listed as one of the 10 best dive sites in the Maldives, Cocoa Thila is a 10-minute boat journey from COMO Cocoa Island. It’s located in an area with constant currents, so it’s a technical challenge best suited for advanced divers. Once underwater, the current drifts you onto the reef which is made up of both hard and soft corals, and populated by huge schools of fusiliers, red snappers and big eye trevally. You’ll spot some of the larger fish riding the currents alongside you, with up to 20 spotted eagle rays cruising along en masse. Towards the end of the reef is an area regularly visited by grey reef sharks and white tip sharks. This is possibly the most wildlife-rich dive you can take at COMO Cocoa Island, with a maximum depth of 30 metres. 

Location: Off the south end of COMO Cocoa Island, in the Cocoa Channel, around ten minutes by boat from the resort. 

What you’ll likely see: Fusiliers, red snappers, big eye trevally, giant trevally, tuna, spotted eagle rays, sea turtles, white tip sharks and reef sharks. 

Need to know: This is a challenging dive with constant currents to navigate. It is suitable for advanced open water divers.

Kandomaa Caves

The Kandomaa Caves are a group of four large underwater caverns in a row — one of the largest complexes in the Maldives, with the depth ranging between five and 30 metres. There are a range of overhangs and swim-throughs to explore, with one of the caves extending over 70 metres long. The walls are tapestried in soft corals and star-like yellow sponges, and if you bring a torch, you’ll see sea whips, fans and soldier fish in abundance. While you might catch sight of a sea turtle, moray eel or stingray sheltering from the currents in the caves, the wider reef is also inhabited by reef sharks and many colourful smaller species including butterflyfish, parrotfish and angelfish.

Location: 15 minutes by boat from COMO Cocoa Island.

What you’ll likely see: Sea whips, fans, soldier fish, sea turtles, moray eels, stingrays, butterflyfish, parrotfish and angelfish.

Need to know: Strong currents can be experienced, making for a whirlwind dive best suited to advanced open water divers.

Kuda Giri Wreck

The Kuda Giri Wreck is a steel coastal trader that was sunk in the 1990s to create a habitat for small fish and corals. It’s around 20 minutes’ boat ride from COMO Cocoa Island and is one of the Maldives’ best sites for underwater photography, with crystal-clear waters and a depth of between 20 and 35 metres. The wreck is encrusted with colourful soft corals, sponges and sea fans, and makes for exciting exploring. The trader’s old bridge is home to a large school of bat fish, as well as seasonal groups of yellow sweeper — with predatory bluefin trevally circling nearby in search of an easy meal. As you swim over the surrounding reef, which also features several caves and overhangs, you’ll also see Clark’s anemone, Maldivian anemone fish, soldier fish, large grouper and fairy basslets. 

Location: 20 minutes by boat from COMO Cocoa Island.

What you’ll likely see: Batfish, sea fans, yellow sweeper, bluefin trevally, Maldivian anemone fish, soldier fish, large grouper, fairy basslets, Clark’s anemone

Need to know: This dive can be adapted to suit different skill levels, from beginner to advanced open water divers.

We have many more dives available for beginners, as well as PADI-certified teaching in our peaceful house lagoon. All dives at COMO Cocoa Island are guided and divided into small groups for maximum safety, comfort and underwater enjoyment. We have everything you might require including scuba diving equipment. 

To book, or to find out more, please contact T. +960 664 1818 E. res.cocoaisland@comohotels.com