Home to vibrant coral and a stunning array of marine life, the Maldives is a premier destination for scuba diving, and here’s more on what you need to know.
Where to Go
For scuba diving in the Maldives, some atolls are better than others. The North and South Male atolls are an ideal choice not only because you have access to well-known dive sites like Banana Reef, but wrecks too such as the Maldive Victory. More underwater discoveries also await at the Lhaviyani, Felidhoo, and Ari atolls.
Choosing a Resort
When choosing a suitable resort in the Maldives, villas aside, it should also feature a PADI-certified dive center; it should offer beginner to advanced training with multilingual diving instructors, the latest gear, and excursions to key sites. Such resorts include VARU by Atmosphere that even provides diving discounts on its premium all-inclusive plan.
Marine Life
Apart from gorgeous coral, you will also encounter fascinating marine life that is bound to be one of the highlights of your holiday; this includes everything from colorful reef fish to Napoleon wrasse and turtles. In places like the North Male Atoll, you can also get up close to moray eels, manta rays, whale sharks, and nurse sharks!
The Best Period
Scuba diving can be enjoyed year-round in the Maldives. That said, the dry season from November to April is when the weather and waters will be at their clearest. Remember, you can still enjoy this water sport in the rainy season from May to October; in fact, at spots like Lankan Manta Point, it’s the best time to see manta rays.
