For many travellers, a beach holiday in a picture-perfect tropical paradise of white sand, glorious sunshine, and warm seas, is enough reason to pack their bags and head to the airport for a week or so of splendid relaxation. But when you factor in the hugely impressive amount of marine life that thrives in this part of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a perfect destination for any scuba diver that enjoys to feel the sand between their toes.
The country is comprised of 26 atolls and 1,190 islands dotted over 90,000 km² of warm Indian Ocean. 99% of the national territory is water so to come here and not explore the ocean would be some sort of ‘tourist crime’. And the Maldives have done such a splendid job on marine conservation that the seas are teeming with life. Headline creatures include whale sharks and manta rays, but the country has become known as the ‘Shark Capital of Asia”, a place where lucky divers can see hammerheads and reef sharks throughout, as well as tiger sharks, threshers, silvertips, nurse sharks, and guitar sharks in the more remote corners.
Divers can explore pinnacles and mounts inside atoll lagoons, where mantas and eagle rays often frequent, and pass down current-infused channels loaded with hunting fish, and dive on outer atoll walls for glimpses of oceanic action. Currents can be expected at quite a few of the sites, but a resort stay would be ideal for less experienced divers since there are plenty of easier sites that a resort can easily schedule in to its plans. Although the Maldives does have some pretty reefs, this is not its principal attraction.
Liveaboard cruises do offer the attraction of a greater range of dive locations over any fixed period of time, but dive resorts in the Maldives have their advantages too. For example if you arrive in the Maldives midweek, or plan to stay for a length time that is different from the standard 1 week, resorts offer the flexibility that you need. Also if you are inexperienced or keen to learn to dive, a resort stay would be the better option. Then there are those that suffer from seasickness and those that simply prefer the greater freedom and privacy that a hotel offers over the much smaller space onboard a liveaboard. Whatever your motive, we are sure you will find the resort diving in the Maldives quite incredible.
Take your pick from dedicated dive resorts and hotels with in-house dive centres, from accessible accommodation options in the Central Atolls, to properties in the more remote and spectacular Outer Atolls:
Considered by many to have the best dive sites in the Central Atolls, Ari Atoll’s main attractions include a whale shark MPA, several manta ray cleaning stations, and a Hammerhead Point. But that isn’t all. Ari also has some of the most famous sites in the country such as Maaya Thila and Fish Head, sites buzzing with grey reef sharks and big schools of fish. [More information on these dive sites: Ari Atoll].
We have great value eco-friendly guesthouse-based dive packages on the picturesque island of Omadhoo, South Ari. You can join morning dive trips and, since there are 20 different sites within 30 minutes boat ride, these packages are suitable for divers of all levels.
> [More details: Ari Resort Dive Packages]Located just to the south of South Male, Felidhoo is the most central of the Outer Atolls and is relatively easy to get to. Having the most channels of all the atolls, it is renowned for its current swept channels where the superb visibility allows you to encounter dozens of reef sharks and eagle rays, as well as big schools of pelagic fish. Other highlights include a jetty dive some monster-sized nurse sharks, giant trevally and stingrays. [More information on these dive sites: Felidhoo Atoll].
We offer a small and modest beachfront dive lodge on this yet little-developed atoll. The property offers morning and afternoon boat diving, as well as shore and night dives on its House Reef.
> [More details: Felidhoo Dive Resort Packages]Located in the Deep South, on the edge of the Indian Ocean, Fuvahmulah has become known as Asia’s Shark Capital. The island is reputed to have the largest population of tiger sharks in the world, and scuba divers are almost certain to see several at Tiger Zoo, Fuvahmulah’s most famous dive site. Other headline attractions include hammerheads (great as well as scalloped), threshers, oceanic whitetips, silvertips, whale sharks, oceanic mantas, mobula rays, tuna, even sunfish, sailfish and whales. [More information on these dive sites: Fuvahmulah].
We offer dive packages in local 3-star hotels on the island of Fuvahmulah. You can join morning and/or afternoon adrenaline-fueled dive trips that are most suitable for experienced divers. Packages can include return flights from Male.
> [More details: Fuvahmulah Dive Resort Packages]Situated just 20 minutes from Male International Airport, Himmafushi island could hardly be more conveniently located for an easy-to-organise dive vacation in the Central Atolls. The atoll is the most popular dive location in the Maldives and is characterised by drop offs, pinnacles, mounts and reefs that attract manta rays, reef sharks, an abundance of reef fish, as well as several interesting wrecks. [More information on these dive sites: North Male Atoll].
For certified divers, we offer dive packages with economy hotel/guesthouse accommodation in Himmafushi, as well as half- and full- day trips (if you prefer to book your own accommodation). Introduction dives are available for those who have never tried before, and certification courses for those wanting to learn.
> [More details: North Male Resort Dive Packages]We also make reservations for luxury stays at the breath-taking 4-star paradise of Filitheyo Island Resort on Faafu Atoll (Nilandhe): and at its more affordable sister property Medhufushi Island Resort on Meemu Atoll, in the Southern Atolls. Both resorts have on-site dive centres. Visit their website to review features, facilities and prices, then come back to book your stay with us to claim your free dive insurance or loyalty bonuses.
Felidhoo Atoll Dive Packages
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Ari Atoll Dive Packages
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Fuvahmulah Dive Packages
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North Male Dive Packages
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The dry season (the northeast monsoon) runs from November to April, and the wet season (southwest monsoon) runs from May to early November. June to August experiences the most rain, although most of the rain falls in the southern atolls. Even during the rainy season there is an average of more than 6 hours of sunshine every day. There are no major cyclones in the Maldives. Air temperatures are very constant at 31-33°C, with March and April being the warmest months. Night time temperatures are around 25°C. You should take light clothing as you normally would for visiting a place in the tropics.
You can dive throughout the entire year in the Maldives. Water temperatures are pretty constant at 26-29°C, with the sea being slightly warmer in April and May, and the Deep South being a couple of degrees cooler. The recommended season for the calmest seas, bluest skies, and best visibility, is from November to May. Outside of this period the winds and more frequent rain can cause ocean swells and reduce visibility a little. However, the upside of the rainy season is that the resort packages are cheaper, there are less crowds, and there are long periods of sunshine.
The larger marine creatures of the Maldives are not seasonal visitors: you can see hammerhead sharks, mantas, whale sharks, reef sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse all year round. At Fuvahmulah, thresher sharks are commonly seen from April to November, scalloped hammerheads from January to March, silvertips from January to March, whale sharks from December to April, and oceanic manta rays from March to May. Tiger sharks, great hammerheads and reef sharks are present all year round. Check out our Maldives dive site descriptions for details on the best time to go to each location.
Male International Airport (code: MLE) on Hulhule Island is the main arrival point for international travellers to the Maldives. It is well connected and easy to get to. There are direct flights from many countries in Europe (including UK, Turkey and Russia), from much of the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Gan International Airport (code: GAN) on Addu also has direct flights from Colombo (Sri Lanka).
Domestic flights are provided by Maldivian. They have a good network of flights to many of the atolls although prices are high. There is also an extensive network of speed boat transfers that service the outer atolls. Speed boats operate from the airport jetty and are available on a shared (fixed schedule) or private hire basis. Budget-friendly ferries run transfers between the main inhabited islands.
For complete peace of mind, we strongly advise comprehensive travel insurance covering both diving activities and medical emergencies, including trip cancellation protection. Our trusted insurance partners offer tailored policies at competitive rates. Request your no-obligation quote today:
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Get instant answers to Maldives travel questions in our FAQ section, covering visas, diving protocols, and essential trip planning tips.
