Scuba Diving in the Maldives

The Ultimate Guide to Diving in Maldives


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Updated September, 2024

Scuba diving in the Maldives means diving at one of the worlds best scuba diving destinations, because of the white sand beaches, coral reefs, clear warm waters, dive sites and a thriving and vibrant marine life. Explore excellent dive sites and a collection of underwater gardens. They're abundant with extensive coral reefs and magnificent fish life. It's common to see sharks, turtles, manta rays, whale sharks and a kaleidoscopic range of tropical sea creatures.

For many years, Maldives has been extremely popular with divers. Dive is actually the local word for "island", so Maldives means "the islands of diving", and the archipelago could scarcely be more fortuitously named. This is due to the warm waters around the islands.

The dive sites are as attractive to beginners as they are to hardened veterans, and even house reef snorkeling can catch superb vistas only a few metres from the beach. Spectacular dives include kandu, thilas, shipwreck dive and drift diving.

Dive centres in Maldives operate at all the luxury resorts and there are also many independent diving shops cater for needs of budget tourism. They offer both fun dives and PADI-certified Open Water diving courses and adventures.

Truly dedicated divers sign up for diving safaris, cruising the atolls for the best of the best, hardly bothering to set foot out of liveabord to dry land.

Best of Maldives Diving

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Liveaboard Special Offers, Last Minute Deals

Now up to 50% less on diving trips to these destinations: Maldives, Egypt, Indonesia, Micronesia, Philippines and Galapagos

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Scuba Diving by Areas

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The most known and explored diving area in the Maldives, the North Male atoll has the most complete and colorful reefs among all the Maldives. However, this does not mean that there are no other types

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Diving in South Malé Atoll

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South Malé Atoll diving in the Maldives is famous for it's pelagic dives and it's Kandus. A fun dive trips and liveaboard are good for all levels of experience. The capital of the atoll is Maafushi

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Diving in Ari Atoll

Diving in Ari Atoll

Scuba diving in Ari Atoll is relaxing, adventurous, sometimes challenging, and always stunning. After North Male, Ari (also known as Alifu) is considered the most visited atoll in Maldives, and this

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Scuba Diving in Raa Atoll

Scuba Diving in Raa Atoll

Diving in Raa Atoll is popular for it's unspoiled thilas and is suitable for first timers and advanced divers. Expect to see soft corals, turtles, pelagics, reef sharks and mantas.The marine life amongst the caves

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Scuba Diving in Baa Atoll

Scuba Diving in Baa Atoll

Scuba diving the Maldives' Baa Atoll is to scuba dive in one of the greatest biospheres on Earth. The Baa Atoll was designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in June

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Scuba Diving in Huvadhoo Atoll

Scuba Diving in Huvadhoo Atoll

Huvadhoo Atoll also known as Gaafu Atoll in the Maldives, a world-renowned diving destination. The crystal clear waters coupled with stunning underwater topography, and an abundance

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The British Loyalty

Diving in Addu Atoll

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What's New? – A round-up of the latest news

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