Diving in Maldives - water currents.

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The currents of the Maldives are notorious for their strength. The exposure of the Maldives to the vast Indian Ocean ensures that an immense body of water is constantly flowing across the plateau on which these atolls are built. Oceanic currents are largely influenced by the by the direction of the trade winds and are of great strength. Currents in channels near Male' have been recorded at four knots or more. Inside the atolls, current speeds are more settled and leisurely dive are more the norm. Tidal currents, which flow according to the height of the tide and direction of the prevailing winds, are said to be weaker than the oceanic currents, though they cause velocity variations in the flow.
On the eastern side of Male atoll, currents predominantly flow into the atoll when the north east monsoon. The opposite applies to the western side of the atoll. This is by no means the rule, as changes in the wind direction and tides can offset the influence of the oceanic currents. If the winds ease off for a few days, then currents are more likely to flow both in and out of the channels.
During the transitional month of April and November, when the wind direction and oceanic currents are less predictable, current is more likely to be influenced by the tides and similarly flow both in and out of the channels.
At atoll passages, current streams can be quite irregular due to the islands, reefs and sandy shoals. Most Dhoani captains show great skills in reading the direction of the current and take great pride in the their knowledge of the ocean. Usually they can tell the current direction by the tiny wave patterns on the surface. I there is no wind, the current forms ripples the bend around stationary objects, like the reef, in the direction of the flow. If the current is flowing against the wind, then the surface appears more choppy than if the current is flowing in the same direction as wind. It is always advisable for the dive master to enter the water and check if in doubt. It is better to be sure, and dive on the best point, than miss the point altogether.