Maakandu

Maakandu is a classic channel drift dive through a deep pass with an outer reef wall and a central coral pinnacle rising to about 18 m. The pinnacle hosts a well-known manta ray cleaning station that draws reef mantas in the 19–25 m range; when mantas are absent, large humphead (Napoleon) wrasse are often encountered. Dives are boat entries on the ocean side and are typically run on the incoming tide so currents carry divers through the channel. Reef top depth is about 5–8 m, the pinnacle sits around 18 m, the outer wall drops from roughly 25–30 m, and maximum depth is about 30 m. Water temperatures are around 28–30 °C and visibility is generally good though flood-tide blue water and plankton blooms can reduce clarity. Strong incoming currents and open-ocean exposure make this a drift dive for experienced divers; proper drift procedures, boat support, and no-touch/no-take rules within the marine protected area are advised.