Ask us here! There really isn’t a bad time of year to dive in the Maldives but here is a guide of what you can expect from each season in the Maldives. It really depends on the resort, but most will try to go to the best spots. The company was created when founding owner Marc Odermatt discovered the underwater beauty of the Maldives. Check with your dive center or liveaboard before making this night dive as at certain times of the year, the site can be a bit crowded. veligandu Island Resort & Spa MALDIVES. Glassfish, gobies, batfish, and frogfish are some of the smaller creatures while turtles and humphead wrasse are also present. Recommended Level: Intermediate to Advanced. To discover a wide choice of cruises, we invite you to visit the website of our partner liveaboard. Sandro is a globetrotter and sea lover. You will have the chance to observe different species such as manta ray, scorpion fish, … Cruising the Maldives on a liveaboard might just be the best way to get the most out of your holiday. Kuredu Resort & Spa. The dive usually ends at a colorful reef where smaller crevices hide macro critters, the perfect place for a safety stop. In the past, sharks were fed in the area. Macro photographers love the Victory for its ghost pipefish and nudibranchs. Jacks congregate en masse and snapper and wrasse dart in and out of the corals. Even though it is 26 natural coral atolls, for the purpose of administration the Maldives is divided into 19 atolls (areas) and they are marked as being 19 atolls. Bigger creatures include turtles, pufferfish, batfish, and schooling fusiliers. Maldives best liveaboards. This luxe, adult-only resort is perfect for diving. Below we’ve listed the ten best dive sites in the Maldives as determined by our scuba diving experts. Diving Resorts in Maldives Bandos Maldives. Did coral reefs survive anywhere in Maldives? This teardrop-shaped, underwater island is approximately 1000 feet (300 meters) long, and therefore not easy to circumnavigate in a single dive. Divers hover in the shallow water as the rays bump and glide over their heads to feed on the riches. This site is best reserved for divers with excellent buoyancy control. → The Best Scuba Diving BCDs For Every Budget 2020. We suspect that will change soon as more and more divers discover how epic the diving is. Also circling the pinnacle looking for food are grey reef sharks and the occasional guitar shark. This may be the best site for hammerhead shark action in the whole of the Maldives. With warm, crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and island after island to discover and explore. We're a free review guide - run by passionate Divers, Sports and Outdoor fanatics. Strong currents make this site better suited to advanced and experienced divers but those same currents are responsible for the wide variety of marine life found here. These months represent the northeast monsoon when currents favor excellent visibility and diversity of species on the more popular eastern atolls. In 1981, a 100-meter-long cargo ship from Singapore sank after hitting Hulhule Reef. Lying 400 miles southwest of India, the Maldives is an island nation of 26 natural coral atolls (over 1,000 islands) spread over nearly 35,000 square miles. For best overall visibility underwater, calmer seas and clear blue skies, head to the Maldives between December and April, arguably the best time to dive in the Maldives. Furaveri Maldives. On the decks, you’ll find a carpet comprised of lots of colorful sponges and sea squirts. All the dive sites here are still being discovered and, so far at least, this island is not well known. Not too far northeast of South Male Atoll is the Embudhoo channel, the best location to spot sharks in this atoll. Closer to the reef itself and taking harbor in the many crevices are octopuses, moray eels, lionfish, angelfish, snappers, and jacks. No scuba experience is necessary as Sun Island is open to both snorkelers and divers. While it’s possible to dive many of these sites individually while staying in a land-based resort, the best way to dive all the best sites in the Maldives is with a liveaboard. Under the turquoise water’s surface, a wealth of marine biodiversity greets visitors. Another thing you should expect to see on Banana is people. Along the northern wall, a series of caves and crevices are open to divers as the current pushes them along. The intact steel hull of this cargo ship sits tilted on its side and provides a home to all sorts of interesting creatures. The Maldives is one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks, and Sun Island is one of the best sites in the Maldives to spot these gentle giants. The wall slopes down to around 30m/98ft deep, making it suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike. Most divers will want to focus on the west and north sides where you’ll find Jack’s Corner, a cave at 75 feet (23 meters) with blankets of soft coral and a huge school of red bass and trevally. In turn, the plankton attracts mantas. We love Banana Reef because it’s accessible to all, even snorkelers can get their fins wet at this relatively sheltered site. Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa has always been about quality, not quantity. Currents can be strong so this site is better for advanced and experienced divers. Here, divers can explore Jack’s Corner, a well-loved cave at 24m/78ft carpeted in soft corals. Fortunately, yes there are still corals in the Maldives (or they were there last I was there). Because the sharks were once fed here (thankfully, a tradition that has now ended) up to 20 grey reef sharks patrol the reef at any one time. The best time to dive the Maldives – when to dive in Fuvahmulah Diving is possible year round in Fuvahmulah. Eagle rays flying past in formation and grey reef sharks are also a possibility. The Maldives is not really a destination for critters lovers and macro photography. Fesdhoo is known for its visiting manta rays and liveaboard boat captains know it. And the best place in the Maldives to find these huge fish is Sun Island. With more than a thousand islands making this archipelago a paradise, it is assumed that the individual scuba diving sites would probably be in the thousands too. Money cannot influence our reviews and our passion cannot be bought with free products. The site owes its name to a canyon which splits the pinnacle in two. Want to combine a drift dive with an exploration of deep overhangs and a large cave? Sharks and grouper as well as reef fish like Napoleon wrasse and jackfish congregate in these crystal clear water. Here’s our pick of the bunch. If whale sharks aren’t enough of a drawcard, the occasional manta, shark, or turtle is also likely to pass by the plateau in the deeper water. BEST FOR → OVERALL VALUE Scubaspa Yang is one of the most highly reviewed liveaboards in the Maldives, and for a good reason. The occasional turtle cruises past, too. The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives. The captain, anticipating a safe passage decided to follow another vessel but made a critical error. Meeru Island Resort And Spa. Best Time to Dive in the Maldives Diving is possible all year round in the Maldives. Featured Creature: Grey Reef Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks. At just 5m/16ft deep on the reef’s top and dropping down to around 35m/114ft, the site offers lots of areas to explore and some pretty impressive marine life. Constance Moofushi Maldives is situated on the South Ari Atoll and is widely regarded as one of the best diving spots in the world. Like Maaya Thila, this site on Vaavu Atoll is a great spot for a night dive. Diving in the Maldives in 2021. Look out for the schooling jacks, snapper, and butterflyfish closer to the walls. Divers willing to tackle the currents here are in the perfect spot to see any passing pelagic life. This pinnacle, which starts at 20 feet (6 meters) and reaches down to 100 feet (30 meters), is home to dozens of whitetip reef sharks, a variety of stingrays, giant trevally, barracuda and nurse sharks. And this resort is … Lots of Pelagics, so so visibility but really awesome. Did we miss anything important? Euro Divers was founded by Swiss citizens over 40 years ago and offers safe, exciting and professional diving in some of the world’s best diving locations. The Maldives are one of the best destinations in the world for swimming with whale... 3. It’s also one of those bucket-list dives that many scuba travelers have on their must-dive list. Most often, this dive is run early in the morning for the best chance of seeing the sharks. Tiger sharks, mola mola, oceanic whitetips, threshers, hammerheads, reef sharks, and much more much this island a pelagic lover’s dream. Meeru Island Resort And Spa. On the north side, hiding around 15 to 20 meters deep, rare and reclusive leaf fish can also be found. We love diving and we have an active outdoor life – and therefore we can’t stop writing about it. If brands send us free stuff, we give it away to our readers - to remain unbiased. But the real show begins after sundown. Apart from mantas, divers can spot vibrant soft corals, sea whips, dog-tooth tuna, Napoleon wrasse, sharks, and trevally. Numerous overhangs and ocean-swept currents provide the perfect environment for vibrant corals, plenty of reef fish and whitetip reef sharks. Between May and November, you'll find stronger winds and slightly rougher seas, but also hopefully plenty of nice sunny spells and water and land temperatures remain lovely. Dive resorts in the Maldives are an excellent option for budding and experienced underwater photographers due to the sheer beauty and varied colours of the marine-life. Furaveri Island Resort & Spa. Shark Point or Mushimasmingili Thila) is one of the best shark dives in the Maldives. The small pinnacle reaches down to 120 feet (35 meters) and features a number of caves and overhangs. Great buoyancy is a necessity for this dive as currents in the canyon can be unpredictable. Diving The Maldives the best way possible: on a liveaboard where you get to see all the amazing dive sites and live in luxury. 10 Best Scuba Diving Liveaboards in Maldives The Maldives is an amazing paradise that is right here on earth, located deep in the Indian Ocean. Your email address will not be published. Macro photographers who find shelter from the current by the cave entry should keep an eye on the soft corals, lots of life hides in these. This famous manta cleaning station is a drawcard for divers around the world who flock here to see the gentle giants. The island’s southern side is open to the Indian Ocean and has a shallow plateau at 5 to 10 meters (16-32ft), the ideal spot to wait for the sharks to pass by. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders. Guests can expect three tanks a day in some of the region’s best sites, with free Nitrox for qualified divers. Five Rocks is a favorite among photographers for its dramatic underwater landscapes. How long will you be there, can you do more days of diving or just one? Cold water diving at its best. Maaya Thila, South Ari Atoll. Coral aficionados will love the sea fans and black corals while those looking to find Nemo will revel in the anemone city at the top of the reef. In fact, “miyaru” means shark in the local language. There’s a perfect dive site for every interest and ability. The lights from the jetty make Alimatha a great place for night-time underwater photography. Lots of liveaboards offer their diving safari trips within Central Atolls ( North & South Male, North & South Aril, Baa, and Raa) that is commonly called The Best Of Maldives. At this location, swimming with whale sharks can be enjoyed both by snorkelers and scuba divers. Napoleon wrasse and eagle rays also pass in the blue while closer to the reef, turtles, octopuses, morays and schooling snapper can be found. Possibly the most famous dive site in Lhaviyani Atoll, Kuredu Express is so named for the heavy currents which pass along a sandy channel. Got questions about diving in Maldives? Kandima Maldives. However, you won’t be needing a tank just snorkeling gear as diving in the bay is now prohibited by the Maldivian government. Divers can also spot Moorish idols, turtles, mantas, triggerfish, barracuda, nudibranchs and much much more. August-November is considered the best time of year to see manta rays and whale sharks. S… They offer dive trips to a world-renowned coral reef system that’s home to over 200 species of hard and soft coral. The world-class pinnacle is teeming with life including turtles, frogfish, and sharks. It does not make the product pricier for you. Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa. Geographic features include craggy overhangs, ravines, and crevices, all of which provide a brief respite from the current. The big drawcard here is the white-tip reef sharks. Much like Maaya Thila, Alimatha Jetty is the perfect location for a night dive. Nurse sharks, giant trevallies and marble rays cruise around and between divers, whipping themselves into a feeding frenzy. Located on Lhaviyani Atoll, the site features a sandy channel and a reef with good spots to hang out at different levels, perfect for stopping to watch the pelagic life pass. DIVEIN.com is an online Scuba Diving, Water Sport and Outdoor Guide where you can read articles, reviews and guides. As the sun sinks into the water, scuba divers kneel in the sand under the jetty. It boasts a bit of everything from colorful corals to caves and overhangs. While one has to question the validity and eco-credentials of this, it must be said that being under the jetty at night is spectacular. Diving in the Maldives is an experience not too be missed. AVERAGE TEMP. At the intersection between the channel and a perpendicular reef, several terraces at various depths make great platforms to hang out and watch the action. This... 2. Required fields are marked *, → The Best Scuba Diving BCDs For Every Budget 2020 Reviewed by our Scuba Instructors. The wreck was closed for three years but is now diveable again. Look out for unicornfish, soldierfish, and turtles in the overhangs and keep an eye on the entrances as tuna, white-tip reef sharks, and eagle rays often swim past. Schooling or scalloped hammerheads are the main attraction here but manta rays, grey reef sharks, and giant trevally also grace the drop off on occasion. Although this pinnacle is small and reaches down to just 36m/118ft, the walls are encrusted with corals and sport enough overhangs and caves to warrant several dives here. Vadhoo is the site to visit for that. The wet season is June to November and the dry season is December to May, with the best time for diving being January to April. Nudibranchs, flatworms, slugs, sea hares, shrimp, and more mean macro lovers will be in their element. The 10 Best Dive Sites in the Maldives 1. For the best chance at a whale shark encounter, travel to Sun Island during the week building up to a full moon. Sometimes, the creatures even bump divers accidentally because of their excitement. All those hiding holes on the reef make good homes for moray eels while sharks and groupers tend to hang out in the blue close to the reef. The hull is encrusted with corals of all kinds so macro critters have plenty of places to hide. Take your camera because the caves and overhangs on Maaya Thila house giant frogfish, up to 30cm/11” long. Careful divers can swim through this 165-foot (50m) canyon, noting the abundance of soft coral and sea fans lining the canyon walls. This pinnacle stretches to a whopping... Alimatha Jetty. The current can be strong but beginners with a high comfort level should be easily capable of making this dive. The vast South Ari Atoll is considered to have some of the best diving in the Maldives and has long attracted discerning liveaboard divers. Diving from a liveaboard offers the chance to have a different amazing Maldivian diving experience every day. The Maldives is a unique place where everyone can find the best conditions for diving according to his abilities. The outer reef is situated in Rasdhoo Atoll and the clear waters drop sharply down to around 200m/650ft. Among the many soft corals, divers will also find large gorgonian fans and tunicates. Banana Reef is the dive site that put the Maldives on the map. Best Diving sites in Maldives Best Dive Review. Because the wreck is located in a channel, the currents can be kicking. Kandima Maldives. The nearby reefs are some of the... Kinan Retreat. Channels and pinnacles (kandus and thilas in the local language) support both heavy currents and protected coral reefs among these 1200 islands. Where is best in the Northern Atolls for whale shark and turtles around the full moon? Our top tip is to do this dive in the offseason, during peak season, you’ll see just as many divers as you will fish and sharks. Wondering which sites to tick off your Maldives bucket list? The dive is best on the incoming tide when the two-kilometer drift is exciting and can run quite fast. Also known as HP Reef and Girifushi Thila, this famous drift dive in the northern Maldives is named for the vibrant soft corals that adorn the walls. The neighboring pinnacle often houses octopuses and the occasional leaf fish. Sun Island, South Ari Atoll. Featured Creature: Whitetip Reef Sharks, Stingrays and Red-tooth Triggerfish. This doesn’t make a trip to the bay less of an experience, though. The gently sloping reef gives way to a sheer drop off but it’s at around 20m/65ft where all the action is. One popular feature is the aptly named ‘chimney’ running from 10 to 24 meters (32-78ft). The Resort combines the Crusoe Chic Barefoot elegance of a deluxe resort with the highest standards of Constance Hotels and Resorts. Like many sites in the Maldives, you can expect a few sharks, maybe a manta or two in the blue and eagle rays. Best Dives Maldives operates a PADI 5-star Dive Centre, Watersports Centre and a wide range of Excursions both above and under water in several luxury resorts across the Maldives. Most dive centers and liveaboards focus their attention on the north and west walls. What divers really come to Bathala for though is the smaller stuff. Thank you. Baa Atoll - awarded UNESCO Reserve status in 2011 - has some of the Indian Ocean's best dives for beginner and advanced divers. In many ways, Banana Reef on North Male Atoll is the Maldives dive. Hi. Now the wreck of the Victory rests between 12 and 35 meters (39-114ft) and is home to a thriving reef system. The marine protectorate area is home is populations of both white and grey-tip reef sharks. If you’re feeling adventurous, Fuvahmulah, a single-island atoll in the far south of the Maldives will reward your efforts with some unparalleled shark diving. A shallow dive, with a max depth of 15m/49ft, this is a suitable site for bold beginners. Napoleons are frequently spotted here, too. Thank You! While you can dive in the Maldives year-round, for the best conditions and more mantas and whale sharks, plan your trip in February, March, or April. Kurumba Maldives. Along the sloping walls, divers find deep crevices, cracks, and excellent coral cover. The Best Diving in Maldives Maaya Thila. This pinnacle stretches to a whopping 400m/1312ft and slopes down to a drop-off 30m/98ft deep. Jan, 2021. Also in Dhigurashu Kandu, Five Rocks is formed by a pinnacle that has been split into five pieces over the centuries. Jumping in the water in the dark of night, you’re immediately surrounded by a feeding frenzy. The plankton-rich waters in this bay draw in both manta rays and whale sharks, making it one of the few places in the world where visitors can be in the water with large numbers of each of these creatures at the same time. Baa Atoll is justifiably famous for huge seasonal congregations of manta rays and whale sharks at Hanifaru Bay. This site’s accessibility is the same thing that makes it so popular with day-trippers, divers, and snorkelers. Divers should keep their eyes on the blue — that’s where the magic happens. The most popular liveaboard trip is usually a 7-night trip which gives you an opportunity to visit up to 5-6 atolls. For years, the Alimatha resort kitchen cleaned fish on the jetty and threw the guts into the water, effectively training local marine life to feed in the area. Recommended Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Divers generally drop to 30m/98ft on the south side to shark watch. Sort this list to fit your scuba level and wishes. The Best Dive Resorts in the Maldives Komandoo Maldives Island Resort. Whilst diving in the Maldives, always respect the underwater environment and the amazing marine life you will encounter. Recommended Level: No Scuba Experience Necessary. The Wet Seasonwith rain, winds and waves runs from May to August reducing the... Scuba Diving conditions . Euro-Divers Maldives offer scuba diving activities in some of the best scuba diving resorts in Maldives as well as water sport activities at selected resorts.. Euro-Divers maintains several dive centres here.In fact, we started it operations more than 40 years ago near Male, the capital. The best areas for whale shark encounters are Ari Atoll, and Gaafu and Thaa atolls in the south. — 29°C / 84°F RAINFALL DAYS — 112mm / 4.4 inches. House reef snorkelling is a great bonus to your Maldives beach experience. Unlike their larger, solitary cousins, scalloped hammerheads group together in the Maldives’ waters. Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. As you might have guessed from the name, Kuredu Express is a fast drift dive. Your email address will not be published. At around 300m/985ft long, this submerged island sitting around 12m/40ft under the surface may take you a couple of trips to fully explore. The fast-flowing Maldivian waters house grey sharks, dog-tooth tuna, and Napoleon wrasse. When to dive in the Maldives With a tropical climate and warm temperatures year round, Maldives can be dived at any time. This cozy resort has only nine rooms, but it’s a perfect choice for year-round diving. Keep an eye out for schools of sweetlips, red bass, masked bannerfish, and emperor fish on the reef. At the end of the dive, shallow colorful reefs and leaffish make decompression just as interesting as the dive itself. Featured Creature: Sea Turtles and Napoleon Wrasse. Eagle rays, tuna, grey reef sharks, stingrays and barracuda all ride the currents. Try to get here in the week before a full moon for the best chance of seeing the creatures. We like Kuda Giri because it’s an accessible dive that suits beginners and those looking for a respite from the big currents on most Maldivian dive sites. Scattered like emerald jewels in the sapphire blue Indian Ocean, the warm waters of the Maldives are a great place to see manta rays, whale sharks and a rich array of tropical fish. The southern shore of the island opens to the Indian Ocean and boasts a plateau of 15-30 feet (5-10 meters), making it easy to spot the whale sharks that cruise by. The dramatic caverns, overhangs, swim-throughs, and caves make for an exciting dive. Sun Siyam Olhuveli.