Although most scuba divers head to the Maldives to enjoy the underwater coral gardens in the country, the archipelago is also the ideal place to pick up diving as a skill.
Diving Mecca for the Masses
While many diving holidays are centred around Adaaran Prestige Water Villas and other Maldivian resorts, only a few travellers know that the country is also the ideal location to sign up for diving lessons. As one of the top adventures in Maldives, exploring what lies beneath the waves can be just as exciting as cruising on the surface of the water. With its seabed teeming with marine species, there’s no better place to hone in on the basics of deep-sea exploration.
Excellent Conditions
One of the main reasons why the Maldives is perfect for beginner divers is its shallow, warm waters and excellent visibility. There are countless shallow lagoons that are sheltered and safe for first-timers to practice their diving skills and technique while each and every location offers divers the chance to witness colourful fish species at every turn.
Finding Tour Operators
There are many private tour operators and resort bases offering diving lessons and programmes for travellers of all ages. Most offer PADI certification courses that even children as young as 8 years old can sign up for. The cost and the duration of the courses vary while the country’s resort-oriented dive centres also allow families the chance to learn how to dive together.
Popular Diving Programmes
There are two main courses that tourists can take in the Maldives – the first is the Open Water Certification, which takes 4 days to complete while the Advanced Open Water course takes 2-3 days to complete.
