Maldives Diving Holidays, Scuba Diving, Maldives Liveaboards

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Favourites

The Reethi Beach is an elegant and spacious resort offering first class service and a selection of detached and semi-detached villas are built from natural materials in typical Maldivian style.

Special Features

PADI 5 Star On-site Dive Centre

Private Dine on the Beach

5 bars & 5 restaurants

Located on Baa Atoll

Sandy white beach

110 Reethi, Deluxe & Water Villas

Prices from

£962

Including flights and transfers

Diving from

£57

3 Days Diving

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Bandos Island Resort & Spa

Lush tropical landscaped setting on an island that is 178,900 square metres totally devoted to a relaxed resort lifestyle with only 225 guest rooms.

Special Features

Onsite dive centre

Evening entertainment

Private beach

Island hopping excursions

Sunset dolphin cruise

Kids club

Prices from

£1,153

Including flights and transfers

Diving from

£38

Dive Package of 20 dives

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Velidhu Island Resort

The Velidhu Island Resort is located on a small island in North Ari Atoll just 20 minutes from Male international airport by seaplane or 2 hours by speedboat.

Special Features

Privtate island resort

80 beach and 20 water bungalows

HB or AI board basis

Spa/Bar/Pool/Massage/Watersports

Euro divers on-site

Most suitable for couples

Prices from

£1,197

Including flights and transfers

Diving from

£60

6 Days Diving

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Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo

The Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo is located on a small island in the northeast of Ari Atoll just 26 miles from Malé international airport.

Special Features

Private island resort with 112 rooms

Choice of rooms or bungalows

2 restaurants (Main/A’la carte)

Dive & Sail diving centre on-site

Half/full board or all inclusive basis

Fantastic house reef diving

Prices from

£1,265

Including flights and transfers

Diving from

£48

10 Days Diving

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Eriyadu Island Resort

The Eriyadu Island Resort is a quiet island resort very popular with divers and those who just want to chill out set on a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean.

Special Features

Beach resort with a blue lagoon

Access 35 dive sites from this resort

Located on North Male atoll

Picturesque setting

Dive centre on-site

Good for all types of diver

Prices from

£1,276

Including flights and transfers

Diving from

£57

7 Days Diving

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Kurumba Maldives

The Kurumba Maldives is a private island resort located on the soft white sands of North Male Atoll just 15 minutes from Male international airport by speedboat.

Special Features

Island resort built in Maldivian style

180 rooms and bungalows

BB/HB/FB board basis

A favourite with our customers

9 restaurants to choose from

Great value Maldives diving

Prices from

£1,353

Including flights and transfers

Diving from

£64

7 Days Diving

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Filitheyo Island Resort

The Filitheyo Island Resort is a beautiful four star hotel located in unspoiled Faafu Atoll just 40 minutes from the international airport.

Special Features

Located on Faafu Atoll

House reef diving with pelagic fish

125 rooms and villas

Half/full board or all inclusive basis

Daily diving with Werner Lau on-site

Sea view infinity pool

Prices from

£1,392

Including flights and transfers

Diving from

£66

Dive Package of 10 dives

View Hotel

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Escape to the Maldives, with over 100 dive sites to be explored and protected marine parks, diving in the Maldives is world renowned. Male and Ari are the most popular Atolls offering magnificent dives with Mantas, Hammerheads, Whale Sharks, Eagle Rays, Turtles and Honeycomb Morays as well as some great wreck diving. Baa Atoll is known for its common Whale Shark and Manta sightings and Addu Atoll, the southernmost Atoll is the least discovered yet has the most to offer. In the Maldivian channels, you can explore caves, caverns and overhangs where soft corals thrive; there are also numerous colourful sponges, invertebrates and gorgonian fans all flourishing from the nutrient-rich water.

Plenty of fascinating cleaning stations await you, where Wrasses and Shrimps examine the larger marine species for parasites and other such creatures. Inside the atoll lagoons of the Maldives you often find pinnacles of rock almost rising up to the surface, known locally as 'Thilas' and are rich with marine life. Wherever your eyes may take you there is likely to be something of interest going on and for many it is in the shallow waters where the best of the action takes place. Here the clear water, brightly illuminated by the sun's rays and playing host to great numbers of fish, provides an ideal environment both for photographers and divers alike.

Diving Season

Diving in Maldives is year round. There are, however, two diving seasons - the Northeast monsoon runs from December to April and the Southwest monsoon is from May through to November. During the Northeast monsoon the movement of the current flows from East to West meaning that generally you will find clear water on the Eastern side of the Atolls and plankton on the Western side. The opposite happens during the Southwest monsoon.

North-East Monsoon

The north-east monsoon is considered the best period to dive in the Maldives, as a result of continuous flowing of water into the atolls, especially the channels feature clear water and lots of food for the pelagic creatures, such as the Grey Reef Shark and the Whale Shark. The north-east monsoon arrives in November, characterised by strong winds and heavy rainfall lasting for about a week. Iruvai travels from north to south, eventually setting in January. The north-east monsoon makes the weather in the north and mid atolls distinct from that of the southern atolls. The north and mid atolls experience clear skies, sunshine and calm seas for most of the period. Scuba diving is fantastic during this period. The visibility is excellent on the eastern side of the atolls and the water is warm, averaging around 28 degrees.

Conversely, the southern atolls receive a large amount of rainfall and experience rough seas during the early stages of the north-east monsoon. However, the sea becomes calmer and hot, dry periods prevail until the arrival of Hulha’ngu, the south-west monsoon.

South-West Monsoon

Hulha’gnu, the south-west monsoon, sets in from May and lasts until November, bringing forth heavy rains, strong winds and occasional thunderstorms. This monsoon affects the weather in Maldives by making the seas rough. During the south-west monsoon, most divers choose to scuba dive around the western side of the Maldives. Currents at this time of year are reversed, flowing from southwest to northeast.

During the south-west monsoon diving can be done on both east and western side of the atolls. While the eastern side remains protected from strong wind and rough sea, there are some precautions to take when diving on the western side if the weather is choppy. Accessing dive sites on the western side can be difficult during rough seas and windy condition. The entry points on most of the channel are on the outside and with rough seas this can lead to a strenuous entry due to big waves and precaution must be taken.

Many divers prefer the south-west monsoon months for diving because of larger fish such as Manta Rays and Whale Sharks that frequent to feed on plankton. During these months the current flow remains unstable and it flows both in and out of the atolls and channel bringing poor visibility and planktons to the eastern side. However on the western side of the atoll the visibility is clear with incoming current.

Prime dive sites in North Male’ atoll during the south-west monsoon include: Lanka Manta Point, Sunlight Thila are top dive sites for Manta Rays. In Baa atoll; Nelivaru Thila, Nelivaru Haa and Hanifaru Bay is considered as Manta Points while Hanifaru bring the opportunity to see both Whale Shark and Manta and keeping the cleaning station busy at times. During the south-west monsoon, the dive sites on the western side are well accessible if the seas remain calm. These include; Kalhahandhi Kandu (Panettone), Thundufushi Thila and Gangehi Kandu.

Maldives Fact File

The Maldives is an archipelago of 26 natural atolls consisting of 1,190 small islands covering an area of 859,000 sq km in the Indian Ocean. India and Sri Lanka are the country’s nearest neighbours some 600 km and 750 km away the Maldives.

The Maldives has a warm and humid tropical climate, dominated by two monsoons: the rainy south-west monsoon (“Hulhangu” by the locals) from May to November, and the dry north-east monsoon (“Iruvai”) from January till March when winds blow from either of these two directions. Temperatures vary little throughout the year with a average of 28°C and the average water temperature being 30°C.The wettest months of the year are generally May, August, September and December, and the driest from January to April.

Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has long been a meeting point for African, Arabs, Malay and Indonesians mariners. Throughout the centuries this has shaped the Maldivian way of life, art and culture of the people and contributed to the rich mix of cultural diversity the people have acquired.

Transport between islands is generally by seaplane and operate between the atolls on a regular basis. There are four regional airports in the country; flights depart regularly between Malé International Airport and the regional airports.

Male Atoll

There is some amazing diving within a short boat ride from the Male Atolls; some of the best dives are along the edges of Vaadhoo Kandu (the channel between North and South Male Atolls), which has two protected marine areas. There is also a well renowned wreck - Maldive Victory.

North Male is perhaps the best known and the most explored diving area of the Maldives having long been recognised as providing a great variety of scuba diving, beautiful scenery and a geographical location that makes it relatively easy to get to. The international airport is in Male, the port of departure for many of the Maldives liveaboards.

“Kandus” or channels are a major feature of South Male diving. On the Eastern reef wall there are 6 channels through which a huge volume of water surges, bringing with it all the nutrients to attract large quantities of marine life, especially the big stuff.

North Male Atoll

North Male Atoll diving is characterised by reefs, caves and drop offs. The atoll sees plenty of fish action and is generally a good area for large pelagics, with Sharks and Mantas at the front of the queue.

A shipping route through one of the atoll channels has also deposited a few wrecks for future generations to enjoy as colourful and thriving artificial reefs. In addition, the North Male dive sites exhibit some of the best coral reefs in the Maldives.

“Manta Point” - Whilst hovering over the reef wall at this dive site, you should keep your eyes peeled for Oriental Sweetlips, Napoleonfish and Hawksbill Turtles, which can be present in impressive numbers. If you keep a look out in the many cracks and crevices you might be lucky enough to see a lurking Octopus or Moray Eel.

Look out into the blue for Barracudas and schools of Jacks but don’t forget to look down as several White-tip Reef Sharks may be resting on the seabed. However, many of these fish get overlooked as most divers are only focussed on Mantas. Here you can see Manta Rays emerging from the blue and hovering in line, waiting to avail themselves of the services of the cleaners. It is quite a spectacle to watch Manta after Manta being serviced; some sightings can last longer than the dive tanks can, which explains why this site is often requested as a repeat dive.

“Banana Reef” - In this dive site, swimming around and about the colourful soft corals and sea fans you can spot giant Groupers, Angelfish and blue-lined Snappers, as well as Morays and Lobsters that are loitering about. There is an enormous school of resident Bannerfish that flutter in the current. There is part of this dive that is often known as the 'Washing Machine' because the currents can be so fierce.

One of the first dive sites to be discovered in the Maldives and it remains one of the best loved; you can enjoy the varied, constantly changing scenery and the impressive plethora of marine life.

South Male Atoll

“Cocoa Thila” - There are a number of overhangs and caverns here which provide as shelter from powerful currents so you can relax and soak up the views of Sweetlips, Fusiliers and Rock Cod. Grey Reef Sharks are also common at this dive site so keep an eye out for them at the 30 metre mark and also the southwest corner of the thila. There are also a series of ravines where Snappers, Trumpetfish and Sharks all seem to linger.

“Guraidhoo Kandu South” - Often considered among the Maldives' most remarkable sites for marine life and photography, Guraidhoo Kandu is one that is topographically complex, consisting mainly on 2 channels and a central reef. It also covers a huge area and is really a site that can be dived several times in different ways and is sometimes subdivided into individual dive sites.

The southern channel (often considered a dive site in its own right) is a stretch that runs for around 300 metres and is flanked on each side by vertical walls, past which you will coast effortlessly in the prevailing current. Where the southern channels meet the abyssal drop at around 35 metres, there are often many Jacks, Napoleon Wrasse and Grey Reef Sharks.

There is an exceptional number of soft corals, sea fans, black coral bushes and other vibrant colours here, particularly inside the channel where at 30 metres there is an archway enveloped with soft corals.

“Khuda Giri Wreck” - The wreck was sunk intentionally to form an artificial reef and is home to many orange, red and yellow sponges, as well as tubastrea cup coral.

Watch out for big schools of Glassfish hovering together en masse inside, little Gobies peeking out from various holes, and a large school of Batfish that seem to loiter around the wreck. Turtles, Humphead Wrasse and other large reef predators also make frequent appearances.

Outside the wreck the sandy bottom is home to many garden Eels, Shrimps and Gobies. You can see Leaf-fish in the broken staghorn coral, and there are plenty of Nudibranchs and Flatworms in and around the pinnacle. If you're in luck, you may even spot the elusive Guitar Shark resting.

Ari Atoll

Although there are many sites in the Maldivian islands where you can encounter pelagics and big schools of fish, Ari Atoll is the place with the greatest reliability. Passing big fish such as Whale Sharks, Mantas, Hammerheads and Eagle Rays are frequently seen, as well as large residents like the Napoleon wrasse, Grey Reef and White-tip Sharks, and large schools of Blacktail Barracuda and Batfish.

North Ari Atoll

“Ukulhas Thila”- On Ari Atoll's northern rim this pinnacle faces the open ocean and is considered possibly the best site for Manta Ray encounters. However the dive site is worthy of a visit all year round, and not only during the time when Mantas are most likely to be around (December to March). The pinnacle itself is only around 30 metres in width but is home to Moray Eels, large schools of Snappers and a vast ball of Glassfish in the overhangs where there is no shortage of soft coral.

Look out for White-tips, Grey Reef Sharks and Tuna that lurk in the deeper sections, however, the main action takes place at the Manta cleaning station where one after another of the sleek elegant Mantas rest almost motionless in the water column, ridding themselves of parasites - a stunning sight.

“Maaya Thila” - This pinnacle has a chaotic assortment of marine life, with an amazing variety and volume of creatures. Turtles can be seen happily munching on the reef, and the elusive giant Guitar Shark can be spotted by the attentive diver. This site is regularly singled out as the Number 1 site in the Maldives and features many of the qualities that epitomise Ari Atoll diving, most notably an inspiring profusion of life.

The pinnacle begins at 6 metres, sloping down to 12 metres then plunging down to 30 metres. Look out for Nudibranchs, Frogfish, Octopus and Honeycomb and Zebra Morays in the shallows.

Vibrant colours of soft coral and the tubastrea corals can be seen in caves, overhangs and swim-throughs. Expect a few Turtles, schools of Batfish, blue-faced Angelfish and Clown Triggerfish. You may even encounter Barracudas chasing after schools of Fusiliers. There can be an amazing number of Sharks here; White-tips and dozens of Grey Reef Sharks. If you are lucky you may get to see Eagle Rays, Guitar Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks.

“Hammerhead Point”- This site is in fact located in Rasdhoo Atoll, a short journey north east of Ari Atoll, and is often visited by liveaboards travelling between South Male and Ari Atoll. However it is certainly more than a stop-gap dive site and is in fact often considered to be the highlight of many Maldives liveaboard trips.

This best time to visit this dive site is early in the morning where you can come across magnificent Scalloped Hammerheads on the channel’s outside corner just offshore from the island of Madivaru, and the schools can be truly remarkable in size.

The reef features a ridge that rises up to around 10 metres below which you can explore a number of overhangs and caverns between a depth of 25 and 30 metres. Keep an eye out for sightings of Dog-toothed Tuna, Dolphinfish, schools of Black Snapper, and even an occasional Sailfish.

East Ari Atoll

“Shark Point” - Also known as “Fish Head”; due to its marine protected area status, this site often appears in the top 10 lists of Maldives dive spots, given that is one of the best places for seeing sharks. The reef is in fact a small pinnacle which reaches from around 5 metres at its shallowest point down to a depth of 30 metres, featuring a series of caves and overhangs where you can see thousands of blue-line Snappers against a backdrop of black coral bushes and large gorgonians.

Grey reef sharks are the main attraction at this dive site. They often gather in impressive numbers and the sight of so many of them, darting around at speed can be breathtaking.

In addition to the Sharks you are likely to encounter Humphead Wrasse, schools of Batfish and vast schools of Fusiliers seeking shelter from the currents. Spotted Eagle Rays are also common visitors here amongst other pelagics.

“Halaveli Wreck” - Since the sinking in 1990 of this 33 metre long freighter, the Halaveli Wreck has grown in popularity into what is now one of the Maldives' premier sites. In and around the wreck you can see red-mouthed Groupers, Batfish, Moray Eels and Lionfish who seem to enjoy the sheltered conditions that the wreck provides.

The wreck itself is well covered in a colourful array of soft corals but it is famous for the numerous resident Fantail Rays. The best time to visit this dive site is late afternoon when the Stingrays are most likely to be there and active. Night dives are also popular here.

West Ari Atoll

“Fedsu Wreck” - This 30 metre long fishing trawler lies on a sandy bottom having been sunk to form an artificial reef and has become fully inhabited with marine life. The bow of the wreck points north and at 30 metres is slightly deeper than the stern which sits at 27 metres deep.

The surface of the wreck has become covered with sponges and well as hard and soft corals, tubastrea and feather-stars. Look out for the variety of Nudibranchs to be found here feeding on the sponges.

Within the wreck you can spot a vast assortment of life including huge, dense clouds of Glassfish in the wheelhouse as well as Anthias, Butterflyfish and Lionfish. Moray Eels, red-mouthed Groupers and blue-fin Trevally are residents in this rather large wreck, look out for them hiding in dark corners!

South Ari Atoll

“Broken Rock” - What seems an unusual name for a dive site becomes apparent when you first lay eyes on this reef. The large structure features a large diagonal split down the middle where you can see an abundance of marine life.

You can relish the array of soft corals, gorgonian fans and sponges throughout the canyon and its smaller cracks and crevices. Frequent visitors include Napoleon Wrasse, Turtles and Moray Eels. To the east of the Thila is another rock formation which plateaus at around 17 metres and is worthy of exploration due to the presence of schools of blue-lined Snapper and Barracuda. Due to the rougher sea conditions and stronger westerly winds, the very fortunate may be lucky enough to spot a Whale Shark or two here in May and November.

“Kudarha Thila” - Situated within an atoll lagoon where you would normally expect shelter, this pinnacle is situated directly in line with a channel opening to the ocean, and is therefore prone to incoming currents. Kudarah Thila is another marine protected area where the numbers of fish are in abundance.

This is actually a comparatively small reef but offers huge diversity both in terms of fish and topography. Starting at around 12 metres and plumetting to about 40 metres, the pinnacle features 4 coral heads where you can see amazing coral growth. Large gorgonians and black coral bushes are an astounding sight in cavern walls and ceilings. There are soft corals of pink and orange, and yellow daisy corals and gorgonians flourish in the overhangs.

In the gaps between the 4 thrusting heads you can check out the incredible numbers of blue-lined Snappers that tend to loiter here and you can see large numbers of Sweetlips, Batfish and Groupers. Off the walls, you can encounter White-tips, Grey Reef Sharks, Turtles and Maori Wrasse. An amazing dive site!

Baa Atoll

Here there are guaranteed Manta sightings from June to October. Fish activity steps up in the height of the Southwest monsoon in August and September, Whale Shark sightings are at their peak, though they can be seen from May to November. December to May is best time to visit if you want to see Sharks from a distance and colourful soft corals.

“Maavaru Kandu” - Every inch of the overhangs which face downward are decorated in a rainbow of soft corals illuminating the reef in pastel shades of predominantly blue and yellow but also green and mustard. The sight is one of outstanding beauty with the enchanting colours glowing cheerfully against the dull gloominess of the rocky substrate.

The overhangs here are huge and you can get right in and fin along while marvelling at the overhead spectacle. The reef also hosts whip corals, brick red sponges, black coral bushes and many zoanthids. Between the overhangs and where the reef flattens out, there are more fans of impressive size and ample hard corals: table, stony and mushroom coral.

Fish life includes midnight Snapper, small-toothed Emperor, coral Rock Cod, moon Fusiliers and broad-striped Fusiliers, while the shallow waters play host to thousands of orange Basslets as well as moon Wrasse and Lizardfish. However, it is the quantity of brightly-coloured pendulous soft corals that will remain in your memory.

“Dhonfanu Thila” - Look of for Manta Rays here. Baa Atoll is well renowned for them and this is one site where they are seen on a regular occurrence. Overhangs provide shelter for yellow-lined Snapper and Soldierfish in big numbers. The site is also home to an unbelievable number of fish: Red-toothed Triggers, black pyramid Butterflyish, Parrotfish, Angelfish, very longnosed Butterflyfish, Unicornfish and starry Rabbitfish are among hundreds of species.

Another feature of this Maldives dive will be that you will see a continuous series of surging moon Fusiliers and broad-striped Fusiliers swimming around the edges of the reef. Dhonfanu Thila boasts a wealth of life, with more biomass than the eye can take in. With its interesting topography, abundant life and Manta Ray appearances, this site exhibits the best of Baa Atoll and the Maldives' Northern Atolls as a whole.

As with many sites in the area this is a submerged pinnacle but it is the amount of fish that this site deserves special praise for. Ever-changing topography, Mantas and other big creatures in the blue, plus an incredible quantity of reef fish in an enormous variety of species combine to make this a site not to forget.

“Dhigali Haa” - Also off the reef are legions of blue-dash Fusiliers, Jacks and Trevallies which can be seen hunting the small bait fish that congregate in huge numbers around the quieter areas of this dive site, which is also home to yellow-lined Snapper, small fans, big-nosed Unicornfish and Scribbled Filefish.

Hanifaru Bay - During the months of May through to November, plankton in this area of Baa Atoll attracts Mantas by the hundreds and dozens of Whale Sharks can also be found feeding on it. Possibly the Maldives best kept secret is now becoming increasingly more popular with divers.

Addu Atoll

The Southernmost Atoll in the Maldives and possibly the least visited offers year-round encounters with Sharks and Mantas, Eagle Rays and other Stingrays can be seen from May to November and it even has a wreck which is waiting to be explored. A particular highlight of Addu is the magnificent coral. On the northern edge of the Atoll you can see huge table corals that might be hundreds of years old, and fields of staghorns that have all but disappeared in most parts of the country. Addu Atoll also possesses particularly rich whale and dolphin fauna.

“British Loyalty” - The British Loyalty is a very popular wreck site in the Maldives’ Addu Atoll. With its upper portion at a depth range of 17 meters, the ship’s vertical orientation allows beginner-friendly diving. More experienced divers can explore the British Loyalty’s propellers at 29 meters deep, and can also swim through its torpedo hole in the hull. The oil tanker was torpedoed in 1944 by the German submarine U-183.

Aside from the usual reef fishes, some of the other marine features of the British Loyalty Wreck include large sea Turtles, omnipresent Wrasse, Parrotfish, Clownfish, Angelfish, and Bannerfish.

”Maa Kandu” - between 5m and 7m the wide reef top is covered with live big brain corals, long branching staghorns and 3m wide table coral. White-tip Sharks, Eagle Rays and sometimes Mantas can be spotted here, along with Turtles and numerous reef fish.

”Kuda Kandu” - an outstanding dive site near to “Maa Kandu”, a huge array of coral thrive here between 5m and 15m. As you explore the edges of the reefs common marine species seen here are Triggerfish, Napoleon Wrasse and Grouper. Looking out into the blue you may get to see a wide variety of White-tip Reef Sharks or Eagle Rays that soundlessly are passing by accompanied by the schools of Barracuda.

”Shark Point” - also known as the “Shark Hotel”, at 30m you can encounter Grey Reef Shark cruising around here, White-tip Reef Shark rest on the sandy bottom and other species of Sharks such as the Oceanic Grey Shark can be seen in the deeper waters further out into the blue.

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