Maldives Scuba Diving

170 Dive Sites in 8 Destinations

Dhekunu Province (0)
Mathi-Dhekunu Province (0)
Mathi-Uthuru Province (0)
Medhu-Dhekunu Province (0)

Medhu-Uthuru Province (147)
Medu Province (6)
Meemu Atoll (0)
Uthuru Province (17)

The mysterious source of this Island's name is a little reminiscent of the Red Sea's long list of competing origins. Maladvipa: "garland of islands" and mahila dvipa: "island of women" have been considered, though they have no actual roots within ancient Sanskrit writings, unlike the "Hundred Thousand Islands" or Lakshadweep does. The Arabian derivation of Maale Dhivehi Raajje - 'The Island Kingdom ruled by Male' joins Mahal Dibiya meaning 'palace' - which is inscribed on the Maldive state emblem.

This little archipelago in the Indian Ocean is known for having taken quite a knock during the 2004 Tsunami with its 14 ft high waves. Its 26 atolls were originally inhabited by Dravidian tribes or the Giravaaru who seek their roots with the Tamil people. A total of 200 out of 1,192 coral islets are inhabited. The archaeological remains of ancient Buddhist ruins and mounds or havitta / ustubu strewn about on many of the atolls add an air of mysticism to the Maldives.

Due to the dive sites being extensively dispersed, live-aboard vessels are very popular - especially for trips to the remote and largely unexplored Baa Atoll. The local boats or "dhonis" with their distinctive high swung bows are popular for ferrying divers to and from sites over 'shorter' distances.

Humid February to April is the Island's peak diving period, with October and November signaling 'Manta season'. The monsoons usher in all sorts of incredible marine creatures with the tides be sure to align your visit to maximize thrill.

Scuba Diving the Maldives

The inside and outside areas of the "thilas" (submerged reef) differ in their biodiversity. You can see everything from coral, sleeping nurse sharks and morays eels to mantas at their cleaning stations. This in turn means Groupers, Snappers, Surgeonfish, Eels, Parrotfish, even Giant Napoleon Wrasse as well as green turtle, hawksbill turtle, grey reef sharks and the largest tuna.

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Maldives' Kaafu Atoll has four counterparts; North and South Male' Atoll, Gaafaru and Kaashidhoo Atolls. The area has it all from Mantas and reefs to penetrable wrecks. The famous Victory Wreck on the west of Hulule (the airport island) is inhabited by large schools of batfish, fusiliers, barracuda and humphead wrasses.

The remote North Male has great theatrical coral backdrops for its grand cast of Humpback and Black and White Snappers, Trevally, Jacks, Barracuda, Batfish, Unicornfish, Yellowback Fusiliers and Harlequin Sweetlips to do the entertaining. Be sure to eye out for turtles around the reefs or "giri" that surface at low tide.

Elongated Banana Reef (hence the shape) spans 300 meters and lies on the eastern of North Male with its nearby Fullmoon Island, Farukolhu Fushi and Kurumba. Banana Reef is great for drift dives and known for its ever-growing healthy fish population. The North and South Ari (Alifu) Atoll consist of the larger Ari and Rasdhoo Atolls, and smaller Thoddoo Atoll. The area is urbanized and has become a popular tourist attraction due to its whale sharks, as is protected area - Hammerhead point in the Rasdhoo Atoll at Maaya Thila further north.

Another well known dive location in the south of Ari is Kuda Rah Thila (Broken Rock) near Dhangethi and Dhigurah. Its 'thila' has the characteristic of being split down the centre has resulted in a 72 ft deep canyon - hence; broken rock. Grey reef sharks, barracuda, batfish, blue fusiliers and sea turtles are among its many inhabitants.

Guraidhoo Corner, east side of the South Male' Atoll close to Losfushi, Guraidhoo and Kandooma has a great 100ft drop-off with all the trimmings, however its currents call for more experienced dive candidates who can enjoy its large pelagics. The best chance to observe its grey reef sharks, eagle rays, hammerheads, whale sharks, oriental sweetlips, bannerfish, black-and-white striped snappers and large humphead wrasses are on the edge of the channel.

Maldive's easternmost Vaavu Atoll (Felidhoo Atoll) is curiously shaped like a boot. Its diving runs from 'toe to top' along the course of a 55km reef promising lots of hammerhead and grey reef shark sightings. The Atoll is very popular among the diving community and not that commercialized. The Fotteyo Kandu has been known to rank among the top five dive sties in the world.

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