Currents · 162 dive sites, channels and wrecks · estimated from the tide
Maldives currents
When the tide runs in and out of the channels today, and how strong. It is Hulhangu, the south-west monsoon (May to November). Every dive site, channel and wreck page has its own forecast; the named channels are below.
At Malé now estimated from the tide
Tide running in, moderate
Tidal flow at 49% of its spring-tide peak here. Slack around 23:19, at high water.
Slack today
- 04:16 around low water
- 10:00 around high water
- 16:30 around low water
- 23:19 around high water
Strongest today
- 01:15 weak, running out
- 07:15 weak, running in
- 13:30 moderate, running out
- 20:00 moderate, running in
This week
- Thu neaps
- Fri
- Sat
- Sun springs
- Mon springs
- Tue springs
- Wed springs
Malé is on the south side of its atoll, with the open sea to the south. It is Hulhangu, the south-west monsoon (May to November), when the ocean current comes from the west. Here it tends to run across the channel more than in or out.
An estimate from the tide model (EOT20), not a measurement: no gauge measures current in the channels. The real slack often comes a little after high or low water, and wind and the monsoon can outweigh the tide. Dive with a local guide. Not for navigation.
Channels now tidal flow · 22
- Gangehi Kandu Alifu Alifu Weak, in · slack 22:34
- Gangehi North Kandu - manta cleaning station Alifu Alifu Weak, in · slack 22:34
- Rasdhoo Madivaru Corner Alifu Alifu Weak, in · slack 23:03
- Dhidhoo corner (out reef) Alifu Dhaalu Weak, in · slack 23:28
- Ashifanu Bodu Neru Dhaalu Moderate, in · slack 23:24
- Cocoa Corner Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:29
- Embudu Channel / Embudu Express Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:19
- Embudu Kandu Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:19
- Guradoo Kuda Kandu Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:29
- Guraidhoo Channel Kaafu Moderate, flood · slack 23:29
- Guraidhoo Corner Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:29
- Kandoma Corner Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:29
- Lhohi Bodu Kandu Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:14
- Lhohi Kandu Tila Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:14
- Vaageli Corner Kaafu Moderate, in · slack 23:12
- Maradhoo Harbour Navigation Line Seenu Moderate, in · slack 23:49
- Boamas Kandu Vaavu Moderate, flood · slack 23:24
- Devana Kandu Vaavu Moderate, flood · slack 23:35
- Fotteyo Kandu Vaavu Moderate, in · slack 23:37
- Fushi Kandu Vaavu Moderate, in · slack 23:37
- Kunaavashi Kandu Vaavu Moderate, in · slack 23:24
- Miyaru Kandu Vaavu Moderate, in · slack 23:35
How to read it
An atoll is a ring of reef with channels through it, kandus in Dhivehi. While the sea outside rises the tide pushes water in through them, and while it falls it draws water out. That flow is fastest half way between high and low water and stops around the turn, which is slack. It is strongest at spring tides, around full and new moon, and gentlest at neaps.
The monsoon adds an ocean current on top: from the east during Iruvai (January to March), from the west during Hulhangu (May to November). Channels on that side usually run in, with the clear blue water and the sharks at the mouth; those on the far side usually run out. A rising tide strengthens an incoming current and a falling one weakens it, so the same channel can be easy at one time of day and hard at another.
An estimate from the EOT20 tide model, not a measurement. The real slack often comes a little after high or low water, and wind and the monsoon can outweigh the tide. Dive with a local guide. Not for navigation.