Scuba diving within the paradisiacal environs of the Maldivian archipelago will bring with it opportunities to explore the very ends of a sublime environment.
When to go?
The northeast monsoon which covers the months of January to April affords the most favourable conditions to suit up and dive down. Ideally, schedule a trip towards the beginning of April as this is when the winds are at a bare minimum. Furthermore, visibility will be top-notch.
What involves a normal scuba diving experience?
On the back of the Maldives experiencing medium to strong currents, drift dives are the most resorted to. You will be required to make a negative entry which involves reaching the bottom of the ocean floor upon accessing the water. Average dives tend to last for between 45 to 50 minutes with the conditions being conducive for intermediate and experienced divers. However, novice divers can apply their trade in areas well away from currents.
Choose the environment
In the case of a faru (reef), you can see yourself combing through an atoll’s outer reefs or the numerous reefs that scatter the islands. Newbie divers would be encouraged to spend time within Giris which can be located in large lagoons and atolls that also provide a wide range of marine creatures to discover. Associated with drift dives, a channel or pass is where the ocean meets the atoll and offers its own perks. Sightings of sharks and manta rays are common given the strong currents in these areas.
Atolls
For beginners, Vaavu Atoll with its shallow channels and colourful coral reefs would be the ideal setting to fuel your passion for scuba diving. Shark’s Tongue in the Meemu Atoll boasts large coral heads and a chance to zone in on silvertip reef sharks. The North Male Atoll which is where Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is found is a great surf resort Maldives has to offer and presents a great introduction to wreck diving.