SCUBA DIVING IN THE Maldives
Maldives scuba Diving Highlights
With clear blue water, white sand beaches, and great visibility, scuba diving in the Maldives is an unforgettable experience in an idyllic paradise. During a diving trip to the Maldives, you may see manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, soft & hard corals and much more. The archipelago is also known for its great assortment of dive resorts and you'll find liveaboards in the Maldives for all kinds of budgets, from budget to high-end.
Interested in scuba diving in the Maldives? View the live availability of some of the best liveaboards in the Maldives and book online at the best price or check out our sidebar for land-based options!
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Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions
Where is the Maldives?
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.
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. So someone looking through a map would find 19 zones.
Topside, the Maldives offer some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see in your life. More than 95 % of Maldives consists of the sea. It is also one of the lowest nations in the world, and is in danger of being submerged one day due to rising sea levels
Marine Life in the Maldives
The Maldives boasts some of the most diverse coral reefs with hard and soft coral species, which provide a thriving habitat for a variety of marine animals. The waters are teeming with a variety of fish species, including colourful reef fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish, parrotfish, moray eels, and wrasses. Larger predatory fish like groupers, barracudas, and trevallies are very common as well as stingrays, eagle rays, geen turtles, and hawksbill turtles. The Maldives is also famous for its robust shark populations, including blacktip, whitetip, and grey reef sharks. Nurse sharks and hammerhead sharks can also be spotted in certain areas. Manta rays can be seen at their favourite cleaning stations in almost every Atoll depending on the season and whalesharks can be found year-round in South-Ari Atoll.
Fuvahmulah is the best place to dive with tiger sharks - dive site "Tiger Zoo" is one of the few places that guarantees tiger shark encounters. This local island has a deep cleaning station visited by thresher sharks, and gigantic oceanic manta rays can also be seen around Fuvahmulah.
Hanifaru Bay, in the Baa Atoll, has manta rays and whale sharks during the middle and the end of the South West Monsoon which runs from April to November. During this period, there are a few times that mass feeding events occur in the Bay Area when enough plankton has accumulated. Scuba diving in Hanifaru Bay is not permitted, but there are carefully regulated snorkel trips to ensure preservation of the marine environment.
Check out diving the Similan Islands for another great liveaboard destination featuring manta rays.
Diving Information
MALDIVES Marine Life & Photography Subjects
The Maldives diving offers blue water early in the year - perfect for wide-angle photography. While is there is some macro life here, the Maldives is mainly a "wide-angle" destination to see coral, whale sharks, mantas, eagle rays, and schools of fish. There has been some coral bleaching in the shallow reefs.
While the reefs and channels provide a great diversity of marine life, Hanifaru Bay, which allows snorkeling only, is the go-to place for mantas and whale sharks. It's possible to see dozens of mantas, although numbers fluctuate depending on currents, water temperature, and the presence of plankton. You’re also likely to encounter whale sharks, opening their huge mouths to feed on plankton. Bring an underwater camera capable of taking videos to properly capture the beauty of the marine life.
Many dive sites in the Maldives have napoleon wrasse, barracuda, reef sharks (including gray reef, whitetip and blacktip), spotted eagle rays, large marbled rays, trevally, and tuna. The current will help bring out more of these larger animals.
Some atolls can also produce hammerhead sharks, although this is only at very specific dive sites.
For sites like Hanifaru Bay, shoot wide angle. Use a fisheye lens like the Tokina 10-17mm, or a rectilinear lens in the 10-20mm range. Take video. Even better, take wide video with a fisheye lens. Leave your macro lenses at home.
If you are at a Manta cleaning station, never chase or charge the manta rays - it won't work. Wait for them to come to you. Don't rise up to their level.
Interested in sharks? You might want to check out shark cage diving.
Maldives Dive Environments
When scuba diving in the Maldives, you'll find many different excellent dive sites to choose from, such as:
- Faru: A faru is one of the Maldivian names for a reef. This could be the outer reef of the atolls and the reefs of islands.
- Giri: A giri is a circular reef in which the top reaches the surface, particularly in low tide. Giris can be found inside the atoll and inside large lagoons as well. These places offer a variety of marine life and often is good for novice divers.
- Thila: is also much like a Giri, but it’s further below the surface - basically a seamount. Here you’ll find a variety of marine life such as soft coral, gorgonians, and an abundance of fish life including reef sharks. A Thila can be big but most north-worthy thilas are small peaks and can be affected by strong currents at times.
- Wrecks: There are a few interesting wrecks in the Maldives, but they’re typically visited for the fish at the site as opposed
- to the wreck itself.
- Channel: A channel or pass is where the atoll meets the ocean and is the gateway to the atoll. It is commonly done as a drift dive. The strong currents bring big pelagic fish such as sharks, mantas, and tunas. For most life, it is best to dive at channels when there is incoming current but some spots do offer good dives during outgoing current as well. Underwater photographers will appreciate the geography that some channel reefs have that includes caverns, swim-throughs, undercuts, and overhangs full of colorful sponges and invertebrates.
- Lagoons: While not very exciting from a marine life standpoint, most islands and big reefs has it’s own sandy bottom lagoon protected from the current which is ideal for beginners learning to scuba.
Typical Maldives Dive
With such a variety of sites, it is difficult to describe a "typical" scuba dive in the Maldives. Drift dives in medium to strong currents often require a negative entry and a quick descent, making them appropriate for intermediate or experienced divers. There are also many dive sites in areas protected from strong currents that are suitable for novice divers. Maldives liveaboards require divers to have more experience, whereas resort or land-based dive operators offer amazing diving for any level and you can even get your diver certification.
Read our 2022 Maldives trip recap to learn more about what to expect while diving in the Maldives.
scuba Diving Conditions
- Water Temperatures: Range from 80-86°F (27-30°C) year round.
- Visibility: Around 35 feet (10 meters) on the low end, but often exceeds 100 feet (30 meters).
- Depth Range: 14 - 98 feet (5-30 meters).
- Currents: Divers who prefer not to experience strong currents should try to time their trips away from the full and new moons, when the currents will be milder.
Maldives Atolls & Dive Areas
Liveaboards in the Maldives visit several areas and a good cruise director is key for a successful Maldives liveaboard trip. Check with your travel advisor to see which Maldives itinerary is right for you.
Some of the best dive sites are in the Deep South, however, they cover such a large area that not all of them can be visited on a single trip. Ari Atoll and Male Atoll in the central islands are some of the more popular itineraries and the key pelagic spots.
From north to south, here are the main atolls for scuba diving in the Maldives:
- Ihavandhippolhu Atoll
- The northernmost atoll of Ihavandhippolhu is typically visited by liveaboards. The diving here comprises wide, shallow channels with mild currents and a vibrant selection of hard and soft corals. The reefs’ overhangs and walls are covered in table corals, while caves, pinnacles, and swim-throughs hide a good variety of macro. Expect to spot reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and mantas, as well as reef species such as grouper, moray eels, lionfish, and a variety of crustaceans.
- The waters here are relatively unexplored, with new sites ideal for experienced divers while the better-known shallow areas offer the perfect safe-haven for novices.
- Haa Alif Atoll
- Another atoll ideal for beginners, Haa Alif also boasts wide channels and shallow sites facilitating gentle drift dives through reefs and pinnacles of colorful soft and hard corals. The Filadhoo wreck is a great introduction to wreck diving, and at a depth of 46ft is an exciting artificial reef surrounded by snappers, fusiliers, and the occasional eagle ray.
- There are more advanced sites too, such as the submerged pinnacles of Heaven and Hell that sport fantastic coral formations, and Ihavandhoo Channel with cleaning stations frequented by mantas and turtles.
- Noonu Atoll
- Noonu offers a variety of diving suitable for different levels of experience, including some exciting drift dives and unique shark encounters. Christmas Rock, a submerged island with the top at 46ft, is home to whitetip reef sharks and stingrays, while the occasional nurse shark can be spotted snoozing in cracks in the reef.
- The more advanced Orimas Thila drops to 98ft (30m) and offers divers the chance to witness large groups of grey reef sharks, as well as leopard and guitar sharks, and rays. Other unique sightings include the redtoothed triggerfish and some distinctive nudibranch species.
- For other great shark diving destinations, check out our article on the Best Shark Diving in the World.
- Raa Atoll
- A large number of unspoiled reefs and pinnacles inside Raa’s lagoon boast an impressive array of tubastrea corals and some fantastic marine life. In the south of the atoll, Fenfushi Thila boasts overhangs and crevices teeming with bannerfish and huge schools of orange basslets. On the western side of the atoll, tuna, grouper, and Napoleon wrasse can be found circling deep drop-offs and overhangs, while eagle rays and turtles frequent the eastern reefs and walls.
- One of the most popular sites is The Labyrinth, a pinnacle sporting large gorgonians and vibrant soft corals smothering canyons, tunnels, and swim-throughs. The site is characterized by batfish, and grey and white-tipped reef sharks, with moray eels and groupers a common sight.
- Lhaviyani Atoll
- This popular atoll is well explored and offers over 50 dive sites suitable for all levels. The sheltered Aquarium site is great for novices and boasts electric schools of blue snappers amongst the abundant corals. Hawksbill turtles and guitar sharks can also be spotted using the coral as a cleaning station.
- The Shipyard site is home to the wrecks of Skipjack 1 and Skipjack 2, offering fascinating dives down to 92ft (28m). Both wrecks are smothered in a multitude of colorful corals and swarming in butterflyfish, damselfish, glassfish, and small blennies. South of the wrecks, the Madivaru Kandu channel drift dive provides some deeper overhangs to explore, as well as encounters with eagle rays and whitetip reef sharks.
- Baa Atoll
- Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011, the Baa Atoll supports some of the Maldives’ most diverse and unique marine life. Horubadhoo Thila, on the eastern side, is home to plentiful macro as well as attracting large pelagic species, such as mantas, to numerous cleaning stations.
- The fascinating topography of Nelivaru Haa features overhangs and strangely shaped canyons covered in hard and soft corals. Glassfish and fusiliers abound, as well as inquisitive batfish, grouper, stingrays, and oriental sweetlips. During the south-west monsoon (May to November) mantas use the entire reef as a cleaning station, offering some great photo opportunities.
- Baa Atoll is also a popular whale shark area, and although it can become busy with snorkelers, there are plenty of more remote sites to explore.
- North Male Atoll
- One of the most visited regions in the Maldives, North Male Atoll is within easy reach of the countries’ capital and main airport, Male. The well-known Manta Point is located in the southeast of the atoll, and as the name suggests this is a prime spot for encounters with manta rays, as well as schools of barracuda, turtles, and Napoleon wrasse.
- Another famous site, the Maldives Victory is a 328ft cargo shipwreck that sits between 39 and 115ft. The superstructure is encrusted with gorgonians and hard corals, while batfish, grouper, and schools of fusilier make themselves at home.
- Most liveaboard divers will join their boat in North Male and explore these reefs at the beginning of their trip.
- South Male Atoll
- South Male Atoll is the quieter sister of North Male, and while it doesn’t boast the same marine diversity as the northern atoll, dramatic topography and strong currents bring large pelagics close to shore. Diving here can be exciting and sometimes challenging, with deep channels and rapidly changing conditions facilitating exciting drifts through ravines and past overhangs. Cocoa Thila, one of the best dive sites in the Maldives, is a pinnacle that attracts fusiliers, sweetlips, red snapper, trevally, eagle rays, white, and gray sharks.
- To the north, Vadhoo Caves provide shelter from the strong currents and a chance to explore the more unusual species found in the semi-dark. Unicornfish, soldierfish, and the occasional turtle linger in the calm waters, while reef sharks and tuna can be spotted out in the blue.
- Ari Atoll
- The best pelagic destination in the region, Ari Atoll’s exposed pinnacles and deep channels don’t support as much reef life as some of the other atolls, but instead attract mantas, whale sharks and schooling hammerheads. Strong currents mean diving here is not best suited to novices, however, experienced divers will thrill in deeper drift dives sporting loads of shark action, schools of eagle rays, and abundant vibrant fish.
- Maaya Thila pinnacle drops from 20 to 100ft and supports a good variety of critters such as nudibranchs and frogfish. And the marine-protected Fish Head site is covered in black coral and dotted with overhangs, crevices, and caves full of blueline snappers. There are hundreds of exciting sites around Ari Atoll, and this accessible atoll is a popular choice amongst divers.
- Vaavu Atoll
- Centrally located, Vaavu Atoll is a great beginner destination with shallow channels and protected sites offering gentle drift diving over vibrant coral reefs. Vattaru Reef offers a relaxed dive full of butterflyfish and oriental sweetlips, while whitetip reef sharks can often be seen patrolling nearby.
- A more challenging site, Miyaru Kandu to the northeast experiences stronger currents that sweep divers through a channel past caves covered in wire coral, with the chance of spotting a hammerhead shark in the distance. Napoleon wrasse and eagle rays are very common, and lucky divers may encounter a manta ray or whale shark if the season is right.
- Faafu Atoll
- Boasting a variety of diving and some untouched reefs, Faafu Atoll offers something for all tastes and abilities. Deep channels with brisk currents attract manta rays and the occasional whale shark year-round, and sites such as Jumping Jack are characterized by numerous submerged pinnacles overgrown with bright corals.
- Repeater’s Paradise is a shallow sheltered site of coral gardens leading to a drop-off that features plenty of macro, and Manta Point is home to numerous cleaning stations that draw manta rays, turtles and whale sharks into the gently sloping reef.
- Meemu Atoll
- Similar to nearby Faafu Atoll, Meemu Atoll offers divers deep inner reefs with bright currents supporting healthy coral and abundant fish life. Cleaning stations along the reefs attract several manta rays at one time, and tuna, barracuda, and Napoleon wrasse can be seen loitering off the reef.
- Shark’s Tongue is a challenging site boasting large coral heads between 26 and 49ft before the reef drops off to 98ft. Schools of surgeon, oriental sweetlips, and snapper can be spotted amongst the coral formations, as well as gray and silvertip reef sharks if the conditions are favorable.
- Dhaalu Atoll
- The marine life around Dhaalu Atoll is diverse and unique, with several unusual species living around the region’s wide channels and shallow drop-offs. Inside the lagoon, Lohi Island cave is a drift dive that features sea fans and sponges encrusting overhangs around the cave entrance. Mobula rays and frogfish may be seen here, as well as several types of anemonefish.
- In the northwest, large colonies of anemone coral cover one bank of the inner reef while the opposite wall is home to many species of moray eel including giant morays and white-mouth morays. Longnose hawkfish hide in dramatic black coral formations and keen eyes may pick out a leaf fish against the bright coral.
- Thaa Atoll
- Characterized by dramatic topography, impressive coral gardens, and some great pelagic encounters, Thaa Atoll’s varied diving holds something for everyone. The best sites feature strong currents but offer bountiful reefs with steep drop-offs smothered in gorgonians and soft coral. Gorgonian Garden’s deep wall plunges to 131ft, and mantas, turtles, inquisitive batfish, and schools of fusiliers can be found playing in the fast-moving water. At Dutch Divide, divers can trill in exciting features such as overhangs and swim-throughs, although in often challenging currents and eddies.
- More suited to beginners, Caribbean Garden in a sheltered site with very little current and some fascinating diving as shallow as 20 ft. Plentiful macro can be found along the plateau of the pinnacle, and white-tipped reef sharks are often found in slightly deeper areas of the surrounding sand.
- Laamu Atoll
- Gentle currents and shallow channels make Laamu Atoll ideally suited to new divers, or those looking to relax on gentle drifts through exotic coral gardens. Mini underwater islands are a focal point for reef sharks and mobula rays, while mantas are often sighted in the clear visibility of the channels.
- A popular site is Fushi Kandi, a 50ft drift along 820ft of bustling reef featuring schooling barracuda and numerous Napoleon wrasse. Similarly, Hithadhoo Corner follows a gently sloping channel from 26 to 72ft, where potato groupers, whiprays, and mantas gather at cleaning stations on the atoll’s southern tip.
- Huvadhu Atoll
- The first of the Deep South atolls, Huvadhu boasts healthy reefs in excellent condition and a good number of shark species patrolling the region’s diverse topography. There is diving here for beginners and experienced divers alike, where a substantial outer reef protects an inner lagoon sheltered from ocean currents and swells. Fascinating underwater features including caves, drop-offs, and deep walls are prime for exploration.
- Dozens of dive sites along pristine reefs showcase a myriad of tropical fish. Expect to spot swirling schools of bigeye trevally and the occasional hammerhead, leopard, or tiger shark. Whale Sharks can also be found in May and June when changing ocean currents bring increased plankton blooms.
- Fuvahmulah Atoll
- Far less explored than many of the other atolls, Fuvahmulah is a pelagic haven that attracts numerous shark species, manta and mobula rays, and mola mola year-round. Uncharted reefs are a backdrop to regular appearances from thresher, tiger, silvertip, whitetip, and grey reef sharks, as well as open ocean giants such as scalloped hammerheads and whale sharks.
- Addu Atoll
- The most southerly of the atolls, Addu is as picturesque above the waterline as it is below. Sharks, turtles, and mantas are regularly sighted on deeper dives, and the sheltered site of Gan Inside offers you close encounters with stingrays along the white sandy bottom.
- Advanced divers can explore the wreck of the British Loyalty oil tanker. As the largest wreck in the Maldives, she lies in 100ft of water and is a huge artificial reef supporting all manner of marine life.
Travel Information
How to Get To the maldives
Departing from the US, there are several airlines that fly 1-stop to Male, the capital city of the Maldives. Most people stay overnight in Male and board their dive boat the following day. Visitors get a 30 day on arrival visa for free.
How to scuba Dive the Maldives
Scuba diving in the Maldives is excellent from both liveaboards and land-based options. Liveaboards are a popular option and run a variety of itineraries to explore different Atolls. The Maldives also offers a range of land-based diving options, from exclusive high-end resorts on private islands to budget guesthouses on local islands. Almost all local islands have dive centers running day trips out to the best sites in their proximity.
The Maldives is a great destination to combine with some time in Sri Lanka. Check out our 2019 Maldives & Sri Lanka trip report.
For another fantastic liveaboard destination, check out our guides to Tubbataha Reef or Fiji liveaboards.
New to diving liveaboards? Let's help you get started with our Guide to Liveaboard Diving. You may also want to check out our list of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginner Scuba Divers.
Best Time to go scuba diving in the Maldives
January - April (northeast monsoon) are the ideal months to go scuba diving in the Maldives, with it getting less windy as you approach April. Visibility is very good, and it is the driest and warmest period. You may experience sudden rain showers, but they don't last long.
May - July is considered the rainy season and can bring unstable weather, especially June / July.
August - November is the time to go for the best chance to see the "big animals". December can bring a fair amount of wind and rain. "Feeding season" at Hanifaru Bay (and everywhere else) for the whale sharks and manta rays is considered to be from May to November, peaking from late July to early October.
Topside & Non-Diving Activities
It’s no secret that divers and honeymooners make up the majority of visitors to the Maldives - though those two groups are not mutually exclusive. If you’re land-based and need a break from the water, considering taking an excursion to a nearby uninhabited island or board a fishing boat and try your luck at catching your dinner.
LIVEABOARD AVAILABILITY
The rates shown below are per person in USD. Some of the operators quote in EUR. The pricing at the time of booking may vary depending on the latest EUR/USD exchange rate.
Please contact us for the latest availability of the following boats: Manthiri Maldives, Maldives Legend, Maldives Explorer, Marselia Star and Fun Azul.
Other Useful Information
Practical Information
- Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
- Language: The country's primary language is Dhivehi. Main foreign languages are Arabic & English
- Main Airport Code: MLE
- Time Zone: UTC+5
- Electricity: 230 V 50 Hz
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