Maldives
Scuba Destination
Destination Maldives
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Sunny days, warm water and excellence in hospitality. Maldives is the perfect destination to dive with large pelagic fish, amazing sea animals and colorful reefs.
Maldives is one of the most desired and dreamed destination among the scuba diving community. Colourful reef, big pelagic fish and tiny brilliant sea life render this destination unique and inviting. If you have never been here, well, that’s a must! Diving in Maldives is comfortable, some time a little bit challenging, and definitely stunning.
What you need to know about this destination, where it is located, how to get there and how to move around, which is the best time to go and other important info.
The Republic of the Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. The 1,190 islands, divided in twenty-six atolls that form this country, are situated in the precious Laccadive Sea, few hundreds kilometers south-west of Sri Lanka and India.
The preferred way to arrive in Maldives is via plane. The main airport is Malé International Airport, situated on the island of Hulhulé, near the capital Malé. There are other few smaller airports in the big atolls that are served by international flight companies such as the Gan Airport, on the southern atoll of Addu.
There are only two ways to move around Maldives’ many tiny islands:
- Via boat: connections from the resorts to the airports and other islands are done either with the traditional Maldivian boat called Dhoni or via the more modern and fast speedboats.
- Via seaplane: most of the islands that are far away from the airport are connected with seaplanes that land directly in the resort’s lagoons. That’s a fascinating way to move around the atolls, it gives you the chance to admire this incredible location from a few hundreds meters above the sea level.
Maldives has mainly two different seasons governed by the monsoons: a dry and a wet one.
From January to April, it is the nicest time to visit Maldives.
Very rare and brief precipitations, an average of 28 degrees and the flat sea let you understand why this is called the “high season”.
From July to October is when you have more chances of finding rain and rough sea.
Not really a bad season, you can still find very nice and sunny weeks, the weather is just less stable.
In November – December and May – June the monsoons change, this is when you have the highest chances of finding rain and strong wind.
Try to avoid booking your holidays during these months.
The best time to visit Maldives is February, March and April: long sunny days, flat sea and higher chances to dive with mantas and whale sharks.
Water temperature in Maldives is just great: around 28/29 degrees in the atoll and up to 30/32 inside the island’s lagoons.
Scuba Diving in the Maldives
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Maldives has some of the most beautiful diving sites in the world, the warm water makes it a pleasure to dive, and the strong currents keep the coral alive and colorful.
Ari Atoll
Ari Atoll stands out as the most popular destination for scuba divers. Its breathtaking dive sites, abundant marine life, and ease of access make it a top choice for both beginners and experienced divers.
- Why Choose Ari Atoll?:
- A mix of colorful reefs and pelagic species.
- Accessible marine protected areas like the Whale Shark Point.
- Legendary dive sites such as Fish Head, Warren Thila, and Maaya Thila.
- Highlights: Swim with whale sharks, marvel at schools of reef fish, and encounter majestic manta rays.
North and South Male Atolls
Conveniently located near Malé and Velana International Airport, these atolls are perfect for divers looking for variety and accessibility.
- Why Dive Here?:
- Proximity to resorts and the capital city makes it easy to start your diving adventure shortly after arrival.
- An excellent selection of reefs, wrecks, and channels.
- Highlights: Explore vibrant coral gardens, spot reef sharks, and enjoy drift dives through exhilarating channels.
Felidhoo Atoll
Felidhoo Atoll is a hidden gem, increasingly popular among divers seeking pristine, less crowded dive sites.
- Why Dive Here?:
- Untouched reefs and exciting drift dives.
- Exceptional opportunities to see big pelagics, especially sharks.
- Highlights: Don’t miss Miyaru Kandu, a dive site famed for its incredible shark action.
Expanding Frontiers
As more resorts open in remote atolls, divers are venturing further afield to discover untouched reefs and lesser-known sites. These new frontiers offer unparalleled opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Maldivian dives are characterized by strong currents.
Depending on the location, the period of the month and the hour of the day you can have from modest to intensive current. This is why you drift dive almost all the times and very seldom you have to come back to the entry point.
One of the best way to enjoy Maldives is on a liveaboard boat. This allows you to experience lots of different diving sites in a few days. The alternative is to stay on one of the many 5 star luxury resort and go for daily diving excursions with the diving center of the hotel.
There are only two ways to move around Maldives’ many tiny islands:
- Via boat: connections from the resorts to the airports and other islands are done either with the traditional Maldivian boat called Dhoni or via the more modern and fast speedboats.
- Via seaplane: most of the islands that are far away from the airport are connected with seaplanes that land directly in the resort’s lagoons. That’s a fascinating way to move around the atolls, it gives you the chance to admire this incredible location from a few hundreds meters above the sea level.
In Maldives there are three main typologies of diving sites:
Thila
It is an “underwater island”, or big pinnacle, surfacing from the bottom of the atoll, which usually isn’t deeper than 35/40 meters. The top of this pinnacle can be of an average between 8 to 20 meters in depth.
Depending on the location and shape of the thila, from modest to significant currents can be found. For example thilas that are situated in the middle of a Kandu are usually marvellous places to dive because of the constancy and grade of current present and they are perfect places to find big pelagic fish. Lots of current means lots of water moving by, lots of water brings lots of food, lots of food means…lots of life!
Thilas that are in the inside of the atoll are usually quieter places, with little current, perfect places to search for nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf fish, other critters and small marine life. Those are also the places to go if you’re a fan of hard coral.
Kandu
Are channels that connect the inner atoll to the open ocean, all on the edge of the atolls between the islands and are places where the water, depending on the tide, flow in or out of the atoll. The current is called “incoming” when the tide is rising and is called “outgoing” when the tide is lowering. As you can imagine, this is where you can usually find strong currents and big pelagic fish, the best locations to find sharks, mantas, eagle rays, barracudas and trevallies.
Lagoon & House Reefs
The lagoon of the islands and the house reefs are usually used for check dives and for conducting diving courses. Lagoons are characterized by sandy bottoms and hard coral pinnacles, depending on the island location, house reefs can be quite rich of life and nice diving sites. Some are actually quite amazing!
So where should you go diving? If your chosen destination is the Ari Atoll then you should definitely dive the following sites:
- Dive with whale sharks: in the south of the atoll there is a Marine Protected area where it is almost guaranteed to find this huge and beautiful fish.
- Warren Thila: if you want to see sharks this is “THE” dive that you’re looking for. It’s situated in a kandu the middle of the atoll. But its location is secret to many… known only to few…
- Fish Head: one of the most famous dives, situated in the center of the atoll, it always offers a great show. You may also know this location as Shark Thila or Mushimasmingili Thila
- Miyaru Kandu: this dive site, in Felidhoo Atoll, is a great location for spotting big pelagic fish
Maldives is such a great location to dive because of its biodiversity. In the same dive you can encounter big grey reef sharks and small colorful reef fish.
The Maldives boasts one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet. Expect to encounter:
- Sharks: Grey reef, white-tip, nurse, tiger, and whale sharks.
- Rays: Mantas, eagle rays, devil rays, and stingrays.
- Pelagics: Schools of trevallies, barracudas, and tunas.
- Reef Fish: Snappers, groupers, batfish, and clownfish.
- Macro Life: Nudibranchs, leaf fish, frogfish, and crustaceans.
- Corals: A kaleidoscope of hard and soft corals, sea fans, and sponges.
Dhoni
- What Is a Dhoni?: A traditional Maldivian boat made of coconut wood, offering a slow yet comfortable ride to dive sites.
- Why Dive From a Dhoni?:
- Ample space for preparing gear.
- A relaxing, authentic Maldivian experience.
The Dhoni is the local type of boat that takes you diving. Resembling a dhow, the traditional arab sailing vessel, is traditionally built with coconut wood. A slow but very comfortable vessel where preparing your equipment and sunbathing during the navigation to your dive site.
Speedboats
- What Are Speedboats?: Modern, fast boats designed for quick access to distant dive sites.
- Why Choose Speedboats?:
- Perfect for divers on tight schedules or those looking to explore further afield.
There are more and more diving centers using speedboats to reach distant dive sites, even though is not as comfy as the dhoni; you may appreciated the speedboat when it takes you to studding diving sites too far for the dhoni capacity.
But diving off a Dhoni is the original Maldivian Diving!
What else to do
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The most amazing attraction in Maldives is the sea. From the seaplane you’ll notice the white and green islands that look as dropped jewels in a blue beautiful sea.
And there is a lot more to do!
Snorkeling in the Maldives is an unforgettable experience, offering access to the vibrant marine life just a few meters from the surface.
- House Reefs: Many resorts have their own house reefs teeming with colorful fish, reef sharks, and rays. No boat is needed—just swim out from the beach.
- Snorkeling Safaris: Guided excursions take you to nearby reefs where you can encounter sea turtles, eagle rays, and even manta rays.
- Night Snorkeling: Experience the magic of the reef after dark, where you might see bioluminescent plankton and nocturnal marine creatures like lobsters and octopuses.
- Whale Shark Encounters: In certain atolls, you can snorkel alongside the gentle giants of the sea year-round.
The Maldives offers a playground for water sports enthusiasts of all levels:
- Non-Motorized Activities: Enjoy stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, or windsurfing in the calm lagoon waters. These eco-friendly activities are perfect for beginners and nature lovers.
- Motorized Water Sports: Thrill-seekers can try jet skiing, wakeboarding, and parasailing, offering a mix of adventure and incredible views.
- Kite Surfing and Windsurfing: The Maldives has ideal conditions during the monsoon seasons, with steady winds and wide-open lagoons.
- Underwater Adventures: Submarine tours and Seabob rides allow you to explore the underwater world in a unique way without diving or snorkeling.
The Maldives is synonymous with romance, making it one of the world’s top honeymoon and couples’ destinations.
- Overwater Villas: Stay in luxurious overwater bungalows with private pools and direct access to the ocean.
- Private Dining: Enjoy romantic beach dinners, sunset cruises, or even underwater dining experiences in exclusive settings.
- Couples’ Spa Retreats: Indulge in relaxing massages and treatments inspired by local traditions, often offered in tranquil overwater or beachfront pavilions.
- Sunset Cruises: Drift along the calm waters on a traditional Dhoni boat, sipping champagne while watching the sun dip below the horizon.
- Star-Gazing: With minimal light pollution, the Maldivian night sky offers breathtaking views of stars and constellations.
Drop us a line to arrange you ultimate proposal! 😉
Explore the natural beauty and culture of the Maldives with exciting excursions:
- Island Hopping: Visit nearby local islands to experience Maldivian culture, crafts, and cuisine, or explore uninhabited islands for a private escape.
- Sandbank Picnics: Spend the day on a secluded sandbank surrounded by turquoise waters, enjoying a gourmet picnic prepared by your resort.
- Dolphin Watching: Embark on a cruise to see pods of playful dolphins in their natural habitat, especially during sunrise or sunset.
- Cultural Tours: Visit Malé, the capital city, to explore its bustling markets, mosques, and museums, offering insight into Maldivian history and traditions.
- Fishing Trips: Try traditional Maldivian handline fishing or join a deep-sea fishing adventure to catch tuna, mahi-mahi, and more.
Whether you’re snorkeling alongside manta rays, gliding over the waves, or sharing a romantic dinner on a private sandbank, the Maldives offers endless possibilities to make your stay extraordinary. Contact Élite Diving Agency to craft the perfect Maldivian getaway that goes beyond diving!