The corals are vibrant, and you might see mantas, hammerheads and whale sharks. For many, Rainbow Reef is a site that requires more than one dive to properly explore all the overhangs, swim-throughs, and caves. 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. With warm, crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and island after island to discover and explore, the Maldives is a scuba lover’s paradise. It really depends on the resort, but most will try to go to the best spots. Scuba Diving in The Maldives Known for its crystal clear waters and picturesque water bungalows, the Maldives is a unique coral-based archipelagic haven that’s popular with travelers, honeymooners, and … However, you won’t be needing a tank just snorkeling gear as diving in the bay is now prohibited by the Maldivian government. In the channels, there are swim-throughs, caverns and overhangs festooned with colorful sponges, invertebrates and gorgonians to explore. 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. Take your camera because the caves and overhangs on Maaya Thila house giant frogfish, up to 30cm/11” long. The Maldives are a photographer’s dream, so take the PADI. You experience your first view of the Maldives … Do your safety stop on top of the reef while mingling with green turtles and batfish. The wall slopes down to around 30m/98ft deep, making it suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike. Our internationally certified Ocean Dive Centre Team welcomes all guests who not only want to enjoy the … 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. Scuba diving is done at a leisurely drift pace, with divers being swept along by the Indian Monsoon Current. Exploring the rocky outcrops off the main island is worthwhile too as numerous green sea turtles come here to take a rest or have some lunch. With a welcoming culture and some of the finest liveaboard and luxury resorts on the globe, a dive holiday in the Maldives makes for an unforgettable experience. It can be completed in 2-3 days* and includes a certification allowing you to dive under the … Scuba Diving Maldives: the Maldives is a tropical island nation in the heart of the Indian Ocean, with more than 1,190 small, coral islands stretching over approximately 2000 kilometers. Huvadhoo Atoll has scuba for beginners and advanced divers in the Maldives’ far south. Scuba diving is done at … On the reef’s edges, leaf fish can be seen. The dramatic caverns, overhangs, swim-throughs, and caves make for an exciting dive. Required fields are marked *, → The Best Scuba Diving BCDs For Every Budget 2020 Reviewed by our Scuba Instructors. The dive is best on the incoming tide when the two-kilometer drift is exciting and can run quite fast. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. Maldives Diving Season The recommended months for confirmed liveaboard departures are from November to May but the Maldives scuba diving holiday season runs all year round. At well-known cleaning stations, wrasse and shrimp service manta rays, with giant turtle and whale shark sightings common. Like many sites in the Maldives, you can expect a few sharks, maybe a manta or two in the blue and eagle rays. Advanced divers can enjoy the deeper reefs and exhilarating drift dives in the channels. Keep an eye out for schools of sweetlips, red bass, masked bannerfish, and emperor fish on the reef. Advanced divers can explore the deeper caves. 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. Diving Resorts in Maldives: Find 80286 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Diving Resorts in Maldives on Tripadvisor. We love diving and we have an active outdoor life – and therefore we can’t stop writing about it. We love Banana Reef because it’s accessible to all, even snorkelers can get their fins wet at this relatively sheltered site. 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. Divers willing to tackle the currents here are in the perfect spot to see any passing pelagic life. All the dive sites here are still being discovered and, so far at least, this island is not well known. Eagle rays flying past in formation and grey reef sharks are also a possibility. Expect pink soft corals, turtles, Napoleon wrasses, reef sharks and mantas. Hammerheads might be around at the beginning of the channel or the occasional dolphin could pass by. This long but narrow underwater island in the middle of Ari Atoll is a must-dive for the macro photographer. Tiger sharks, mola mola, oceanic whitetips, threshers, hammerheads, reef sharks, and much more much this island a pelagic lover’s dream. This archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean is comprised of 26 atolls and more than 1200 islands, of which only 200 or so are inhabited. Quieter than its sister to the north, the South Male Atoll is dotted with lush emerald isles in crystal clear oceans. Bring a dive light to explore the arch and a large overhang that make the dive unique. You can frequently meet up with grey sharks, white-tip sharks and eagle rays. In 1981, a 100-meter-long cargo ship from Singapore sank after hitting Hulhule Reef. 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. The hull is encrusted with corals of all kinds so macro critters have plenty of places to hide. The big drawcard here is the white-tip reef sharks. Scuba diving in Maldives, exploring renown dive sites or taking scuba diving lessons in crystal clear waters are experiences you will never forget.. Fotteyo Kandu, Vaavu Atoll – This highly-rated dive site hosts abundant coral and fish, but also includes caves, overhangs and swim-throughs filled with yellow soft coral and a few black coral bushes at deeper depths. This demanding dive holds great rewards for experienced divers — the chance to be in the water with dozens of schooling hammerheads. The walls are covered with soft corals and patrolled by schools of red bass and big-eye trevally. Did we miss anything important? 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. Sort this list to fit your scuba level and wishes. Big schools of jackfish patrol the reefs, with morays and turtles also very common. Many carriers offer direct flights to Velana International Airport, although bear in mind that schedules may change during peak season. Diving in Maldives The Maldives are made up of 26 individual atolls that together hold more than 1,100 islands, Most are small and uninhabited, and surrounded by fringing reefs formations that create … Dive resorts in the Maldives are an excellent option for budding and experienced underwater … → The Best Scuba Diving BCDs For Every Budget 2020. Along the sloping walls, divers find deep crevices, cracks, and excellent coral cover. 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. It is one of the first sites that started attracting visitors and divers from around the world and it offers a sample of everything that makes diving in the Maldives great: corals, caves, big fish, and overhangs. In the Maldives… Napoleons are frequently spotted here, too. This is how we pay ourselves. Floating Resort by Scubaspa is a new and unique concept combining exceptional spa experiences with unforgettable scuba diving. Here, divers can explore Jack’s Corner, a well-loved cave at 24m/78ft carpeted in soft corals. The coconut palm and the yellow-fin tuna, symbols of the Maldives, say a great deal about this nation of more than a thousand islands. #4 Best Value of 114 Diving Resorts in Maldives “The Ocean Centre has a wide range of activities, including snorkeling and scuba diving as well as wind surfing and kayaking - among others (Remo … A little closer to the reef, rock cod, fusiliers, sweetlips, and snapper hang in large groups, only breaking formation when divers get a bit too close. Napoleon wrasse and eagle rays also pass in the blue while closer to the reef, turtles, octopuses, morays and schooling snapper can be found. On the north side, hiding around 15 to 20 meters deep, rare and reclusive leaf fish can also be found. You may see reef sharks, jack and tuna, plus large schools of snapper. It lays across the equator, 370 (600 km) miles southwest of India. 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. That said, the absolute best time … With easy access from Male and the country’s best coral reefs, there is good reason why the North Male Atoll is the most visited region in the Maldives. The outer reef is situated in Rasdhoo Atoll and the clear waters drop sharply down to around 200m/650ft. The dive centre is one of the 11 in the Maldives run by the extremely professional Euro Divers - guaranteeing a very high standard of instructors and guides. The coral here is spectacular and deserves as much attention as the marine life. Drop us a comment below and let us know why you love diving in the Maldives! On Fulidhoo there are budget hotels and amazing valued diving packages! Fesdhoo is known for its visiting manta rays and liveaboard boat captains know it. This famous manta cleaning station is a drawcard for divers around the world who flock here to see the gentle giants. Expect vibrant coral, diverse marine life and mantas at the cleaning stations. The Maldives is a low-lying nation with dreamy white sand beaches and excellent reefs with an abundance of marine life. Scuba diving in Male Malé is the capital and most populous city in the Maldives. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. Wondering which sites to tick off your Maldives bucket list? Many scuba divers are keen to dive in the Maldives because of the presence of whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, reef sharks, hammerhead sharks and moray eels, as well as many … Velana International Airport is located on Hulhule Island in North Male Atoll, near the capital island Male. Maldives is a very famous destination for weddings and honeymoons. Baa Atoll’s marine diversity was awarded UNESCO Reserve status in 2011. The diving is good all year long, but the monsoon brings significant rain between April and October, especially June to August. Thurso Surf Waterwalker 11 SUP Board Review, Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12’ SUP Board Review, Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP Board Review, Beginners Guide to Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Diving in Maldives … Sometimes, the creatures even bump divers accidentally because of their excitement. For better readability of the table, pass into the landscape mode. In turn, the plankton attracts mantas. Your email address will not be published. Ask us here! Also circling the pinnacle looking for food are grey reef sharks and the occasional guitar shark. 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. It consists of 1190 islands, grouped in 26 main atolls. If you operate a dive center in The Maldives and want to be prominently featured here, then please contact us: If you operate a dive center in Hawaii and want to be prominently featured here, then please contact us: Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa has always been about quality, not quantity. The world-class pinnacle is teeming with life including turtles, frogfish, and sharks. DIVEIN.com is an online Scuba Diving, Water Sport and Outdoor Guide where you can read articles, reviews and guides. Part 1: Overview of Scuba Diving in Maldives The Maldives is a chain of Islands and atolls approximately 700km South West of Sri-Lanka. Mantas are common in its channels, and Buddhist ruins can be found on Gan - which also has 4 miles (7km) of beach. Corals, sponges, nudibranchs, fish, stingrays, dolphins, mantas, sharks - you name it. Expect drop-offs, stunning anemone corals, moray eels, mobula rays and colorful gobies. Apart from the green sea turtles, the current, which largely results from the island’s position at the base of a channel, draws in all sorts of larger marine life. The current can be strong but beginners with a high comfort level should be easily capable of making this dive. Dhaalu Atoll’s wide channels are suitable for beginners. The captain, anticipating a safe passage decided to follow another vessel but made a critical error. Because the wreck is located in a channel, the currents can be kicking. A natural wonder of unimaginable beauty both above and underwater. Jacks congregate en masse and snapper and wrasse dart in and out of the corals. 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. Like Maaya Thila, this site on Vaavu Atoll is a great spot for a night dive. What divers really come to Bathala for though is the smaller stuff. The neighboring pinnacle often houses octopuses and the occasional leaf fish. Now the wreck of the Victory rests between 12 and 35 meters (39-114ft) and is home to a thriving reef system. The Maldives are widely considered one of the top dive destinations, … Noonu Atoll’s scuba is suited to intermediate and advanced divers, but beginners can progress too. International travellers will need to fly into Velana International Airport as it's the only airport in the Maldives that receives international flights from multiple destinations. Two distinct seasons dictate diving conditions in the Maldives - the dry … Emas Thila, the local name, runs about one kilometer long and during the north-east monsoon season, the rays congregate at 15 to 30 meters (49-98ft) on the north-west side of the submerged island. Its scuba is suited to beginners and advanced divers; expect overhangs, colorful reefs, manta rays and whale sharks. Expect large reefs, coral gardens, steep walls and overhangs. Vadhoo is the site to visit for that. A narrow but deep channel on the eastern side of Vaavu Atoll, Fotteyo Kandu is a favorite among dive guides and instructors working in the Maldives because it’s always a people pleaser. We’ve included Hanifaru Bay because between December and May is really is a magical place to visit. Most often, this dive is run early in the morning for the best chance of seeing the sharks. No scuba experience is necessary as Sun Island is open to both snorkelers and divers. Large potato and coral groupers lurk in the dark overhangs or sit in the current looking for a meal. That’s not the only attraction here, the current also pushes past caverns and caves coated in soft corals and sponges. Not too far northeast of South Male Atoll is the Embudhoo channel, the best location to spot sharks in this atoll. Divers hover in the shallow water as the rays bump and glide over their heads to feed on the riches. Nudibranchs, flatworms, slugs, sea hares, shrimp, and more mean macro lovers will be in their element. The Maldives is a low-lying nation with dreamy white sand beaches and excellent reefs with an abundance of marine life. With warm, crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and island after island to discover and explore. Meemu Atoll’s sheltered inner reefs are ideal for beginners. Apart from a lot of manta rays and whale sharks (as if that wasn’t enough) grey reef sharks and stingrays also use the bay as their Maldives nursery ground. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders. The Thila in the middle of the channel entrance is a good place to do the safety stop. On a good day, up to 20 of these sharks patrol the reef. There is an excellent house and more … Do the dive resorts take you to the same spots a live board goes to. The occasional turtle cruises past, too. Geographic features include craggy overhangs, ravines, and crevices, all of which provide a brief respite from the current. Expect vibrant corals, diverse marine life, mantas at the cleaning stations and a wreck. It’s also one of those bucket-list dives that many scuba travelers have on their must-dive list. Broken Rock, South Ari Atoll – This unique formation has a canyon that breaks the reef in two. Thank you. Because there is always some current, you normally spiral up and around. Home to some of the Maldives’ best dive sites, the Ari Atoll’s clear blue waters are packed with pelagic species. Top of most divers' wish lists, the Maldives is located 900 km south-west of the Indian subcontinent. The intact steel hull of this cargo ship sits tilted on its side and provides a home to all sorts of interesting creatures. Okobe Thila, North Male Atoll – This site consists of three main pinnacle sections ranging from 10 metres/30 feet to 50 metres/165 feet in length. Divers generally drop to 30m/98ft on the south side to shark watch. Hanimaadhoo International Airport on Haa Dhaalu Atoll has direct flights to Thiruvananthapuram in India, while Gan International Airport on the island of Gan in Addu Atoll has a direct flight to Colombo in Sri Lanka. Dive by: Jetty Dive - Boat Dive - Includes: Guide - *Full Equipment Package (Regulator - Wet Suit - BCD - Computer) ... *DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING USD 120. While the Maldives may be best known for large pelagic life and all the whale sharks and mantas you can point your camera at, there a few wrecks here too. Currents can be strong so this site is better for advanced and experienced divers. Nurse sharks, giant trevallies and marble rays cruise around and between divers, whipping themselves into a feeding frenzy. The reef itself is excellent as well, so there’s something for everyone. Regardless of your destination, check your local travel advisory board or department for travel advice about that location when planning your trip and again shortly before you leave. Divers should keep their eyes on the blue — that’s where the magic happens. 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. Most dive centers and liveaboards focus their attention on the north and west walls. 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. 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. This accessible atoll is the perfect choice for divers visiting the island nation. It’s also a great dive to spot giant trevally and jacks hunting and hanging out in the current. 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