Kuda Bandu Thila

Kuda Bandu Thila is a thila, or submerged reef pinnacle, in Haa Alif Atoll in the far north of the Maldives, near Ihavandhoo island. Sites in this northern atoll region are reached by boat, typically from local liveaboards that run the less-visited northern Maldives routes rather than the more heavily trafficked central atolls. The reef here tops out at a shallow maximum depth of around 6 metres, making it a beginner dive over a reef bottom. Divers have reported angelfish, snapper, sweetlips, and triggerfish around the pinnacle, along with less common sightings such as ghost pipefish, leaf scorpionfish, mantis shrimp, octopus, scorpionfish, and even manta rays passing through.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• SnapperSnapperReported here · unconfirmed
• Manta rayManta rayReported here · unconfirmed
• Leaf scorpionfishLeaf scorpionfishReported here · unconfirmed
• Ghost pipefishGhost pipefishReported here · unconfirmed
• TriggerfishTriggerfishReported here · unconfirmed
• OctopusOctopusReported here · unconfirmed
• AngelfishAngelfishReported here · unconfirmed
• ScorpionfishScorpionfishReported here · unconfirmed
• SweetlipsSweetlipsReported here · unconfirmed
• Mantis shrimpMantis shrimpReported here · unconfirmed
• Tawny Hermit CrabCoenobita rugosusObserved near here · iNaturalist
• Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatusObserved near here · iNaturalist
• Spiny Cushion StarCulcita schmidelianaObserved near here · iNaturalist
• Hawksbill Sea TurtleEretmochelys imbricataObserved near here · iNaturalist