The Maldives has long been a dream destination for scuba divers, and it’s easy to see why. With its clear blue waters, colourful coral reefs, and diverse marine life, it’s the perfect place to explore beneath the waves. Thanks to direct flights from the UK and a range of convenient connections, getting there has never been easier.
The Underwater World
Made up of over 1,000 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is home to some of the most stunning underwater landscapes in the world. Whether you’re an experienced diver or a beginner, there’s something for everyone. Dive alongside colourful reef fish, graceful turtles, playful dolphins, majestic manta rays, and a wide variety of thrilling sharks, making the Maldives one of the most diverse and exciting places to dive.
Where to Explore?
There are so many incredible diving spots to discover in the Maldives, making it hard to choose a favourite. Here are some of the best spots, as recommended by our expert team:
Ari Atoll
Ari Atoll is one of the most renowned regions in the Maldives, offering spectacular diving opportunities. Whale sharks and mantas are often seen gliding through the stunning channels (kandu) and submerged reefs (thila). Maaya Thila is known as one of the top dive sites, where you can encounter reef sharks, and large schools of reef fish on an exhilarating night dive. If you’re looking for larger marine life, visit Rangali Madivaru, known as Manta Point in South Ari Atoll, where manta rays gather at the cleaning station.
Male Atoll
Male Atoll is the first stop for most divers visiting the Maldives. Home to some of the country’s most famous dive sites, this region is teeming with marine life and offers opportunities suitable for divers of all levels. North Male Atoll boasts healthy reefs and underwater caves, as well as large pelagic encounters. Banana Reef, home to the blue-lined snapper, is the dive site that first put the Maldives on the map, offering high quality coral and excellent visibility. South Male Atoll is renowned for its stunning channel diving, steep walls, and ledges teeming with reef fish. Kandooma Thila is a highlight in this region, where you’ll find mantas, reef sharks, eagle rays, and turtles.
Southern Maldives
The Southern Maldives offers less-visited, untouched dive sites, giving you a more serene experience. However, once you’re beneath the surface, the excitement begins, as sightings of large predators, mantas, and whale sharks are common. Famous for tiger shark encounters, Fuvahmulah boasts a variety of ecosystems, making it a unique destination for divers. Addu Atoll, found at the Southern tip of the Maldives, is home to vibrant coral gardens. The channels here are full of large schools of colourful fish, sharks, and rays. The diving in these remote sites can be more challenging due to the strong currents, making it ideal for more experienced divers.
Northern Maldives
Enjoy a more tranquil experience in the Northern Maldives compared to the central Atolls, while still offering plenty of excitement. Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is home to one of the most famous sites, Hanifaru Bay, where mantas and whale sharks gather in large numbers during the feeding season. Raa Atoll features stunning channels and vibrant reefs, where divers can spot schools of fish, turtles, and reef sharks. The calmer currents in this region make it an ideal destination for less experienced divers, while still offering thrilling experiences for more seasoned divers.
Diving in the Maldives is a magical experience. With its rich marine life and stunning coral reefs, it’s clear to understand why this paradise is one of the top diving destinations in the world.
