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Maldives is an archipelago comprised of more than 1,192 coral islands in the Indian Ocean. It is located in the south-southwest of India. What makes the diving in Maldives interesting is that it's pretty much new in the diving world so the dives are insanely unspoiled.
Most divers would consider diving in Maldives as laid back considering the pristine waters teeming with insanely rich marine life.
Beginner divers would love many of the shore diving sites sporting crystal clear waters with common sightings of fabulous pelagic fishes.
Perhaps, the best diving sites in Maldives are concentrated on the islands of Lhaviyani, Male, Laamu, Vaavu, Gaafu, and Meemu. These channels offer varying drift dives perfect for beginner, novice, and advanced divers.
If you fancy whale sharks, head straight to the southern islands particularly in the Thaa atolls. Mantas are also seen in Ari Atoll and the fabulous hammerheads frequent Rasdhoo Atoll. Experience close encounters with tiger sharks and thresher sharks in the island of Foahmulah.
For sheer fun diving, nothing beats the popular Banana Reef in the North Male Atoll sporting picturesque underwater world of breathtaking rock formations, overhangs, and steep drop-offs not to mention the myriad of corals in the area. This area is also teeming with insane amount of marine life attracted by the nutrients rich waters brought by the incessant currents such as sharks, mantas, huge morays, and many more pelagic fishes.
For wreck divers, Maldives Victory sports rich marine life at the depth of 35m sitting at an upright position in the western side of Hulhule.
The government of Maldives is an active participant in marine conservation efforts. Other third party participants such as the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) are also active in promoting marine conservation efforts to the local population who mainly rely on fishing as a source of livelihood. The coral reef of Maldives plays a great role in maintaining the rich marine biodiversity in the area.
Maldives has a tropical climate and the temperature averages around 30°C year round. Heavy rains typically pour in June through August.
Maldives sports a year round diving season but to maximize your diving experience visit the islands in either UK winter or spring time.
The water temperature hovers around 29°C/84F in January to March and around 28°C/82F in July to September. The water visibility averages 15 to 40m with currents that could be very strong at certain depths.
Natural hazards include heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon around late May through early December.
The main point of entry to Maldives is at Malé International Airport in Hulhulé Island just beside the capital Male. Most flights have stopovers in Colombo (Sri Lanka).
There are no regular boat rides to Maldives because of the nature of the reef. However, plane travel brings enough convenience to the island's visitors. There are also a growing number of chartered yachts plying the islands mainly for going around the islands.
Chartered boats are Maldivian equivalent of car rentals.
The general transportation system of Maldives is great.
Use the following links for more information about;
- Decompression Chambers in Maldives
- Foreign Travel Advice for Maldives (UK Government)
- More about Maldives (Wikipedia)
Ari Atoll, Maldives
Manta Rays elegantly swim through the warm clear waters surrounding the many tranquil atolls and islands. With waters packed full of life and plenty of large pelagic species the Maldives is one of the most exciting places in the underwater world to...
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Baa Atoll & Raa Atoll, Maldives
Home to the famous Hanifaru Lagoon where huge numbers Manta Rays and Whale Sharks congregate to mass feed! Baa and Raa Atolls are also known as North Maalhosmadulu and South Maalhosmadulu are based in the north west of the Maldives. Diving the...
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Faafu Atoll & Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
Abundant Manta Rays and Whale Sharks and excellent channel dives, Faafu and Dhaalu Atolls are quickly becoming a top diving hotspot. Faafu and Dhaalu Atolls are also known as North and South Nilandhe. Diving the Maldives can be undertaken in two ways, either...
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Gaafu Atoll, Maldives
The second largest atoll in the Maldives contains caves, steep drop offs and pristine reefs all waiting to be explored. Gaafu Atoll is also known as Huvadhoo Atoll and is one of the Southern Atolls in the Maldives. Diving the Maldives can be...
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Laamu Atoll, Maldives
Beautiful topography and pristine dives site, Laamu has excellent channel and shallower reef sites and is a favourite on a lot of liveaboard itineraries. Please note that Laamu Atoll is also known as Hadhdhunmathee Atoll! Diving the Maldives can be undertaken in two...
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Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
A very popular atoll with picturesque resort islands, Lhaviyani is as beautiful underwater with a variety of dive site sites, including shipwrecks, channel diving and pretty reefs. Lhaviyani Atoll is also known as Faadhippolhu Atoll. Diving the Maldives can be undertaken in...
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Male Atoll, Maldives
The best coral reefs in the Maldives are in Male’s brilliant blue waters. The most explored of all the atolls by divers due to its variety of dive sites, abundance of marine life and easy accessibility, Male is an excellent choice of...
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Meemu Atoll, Maldives
Providing many diving opportunities, Meemu Atoll has Thilas, Channels, inner atoll reefs, caves and drop offs which is enough to excite any diver! Meemu Atoll is also known as Mulaku Atoll. Diving the Maldives can be undertaken in two ways, either by land or...
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Northern Atolls, Maldives
The northernmost atolls in the Maldives include Haa Alifu aka North Thiladhunmathee, Haa Dhaalu aka South Thiladhunmathee, Shaviyani aka North Miladhunmadulu and Noonu aka South Miladhunmadulu. Diving the Maldives can be undertaken in two ways, either by land or by a liveaboard. This...
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Seenu Atoll, Maldives
The southernmost island in the Maldives, Seenu isinternationally famous for its wrevck dives and abundance of large pelagic such as mantas, turtles and sharks throughout the year. Seenu Atoll is also known as Addu Atoll and located just south of the equator. Diving...
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Thaa Atoll, Maldives
Abundant marine life and great channel diving; Thaa Atoll is also known as Kolhumadulu Atoll. Diving the Maldives can be undertaken in two ways, either by land or by a liveaboard. This choice entirely depends on the type of holiday you are after,...
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Vaavu Atoll, Maldives
Wonderful Channel diving, Vaavu Atoll is a very popular choice with divers and liveaboard cruises. Vaavu Atoll is also known as Felidhe Atoll and is the atoll below South Male Atoll. Diving the Maldives can be undertaken in two ways, either...
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