Known for its striking white sand beaches and gorgeous turquoise waters, the Maldives offers a variety of resort accommodations from budget to some of the most luxurious in the world. Small hotels and guesthouses are found on locally inhabited islands, and other islands are uninhabited aside from sprawling resorts.
Scuba diving in the Maldives is known for strong currents, wide-angle photography, and diverse marine life including plenty of pelagics such as manta rays, reef sharks, and whale sharks. Experience thrilling drift dives, shipwrecks, beautiful coral reefs, and spectacular underwater pinnacles.
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Maldives dive resort areas
Located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives offers some of the most breathtaking sea views in the world. Consisting of over 1,000 islands, the Maldives is made up of 26 natural ring-shaped coral formations called “atolls”. The country has divided these areas into 20 administrative atolls, which are identified on maps of the Maldives.
northern atolls
Most northern atolls in the Maldives are reachable by seaplane or speedboat from Male and offer a range of accommodation options including budget guesthouses, boutique hotels, and luxury resorts. Less frequented by tourists, Haa Dhaalu Atoll diving includes highlights of mantas, eagle rays, tuna, and reef sharks at popular dive sites Coral Garden and Barefoot Thila. With over 50 dive sites in Lhaviyani Atoll, divers can explore The Shipyard’s wrecks, loads of sea turtles at Caves Community, and abundant corals and reef fish at Aquarium.
Central atolls
Popular with visitors due to their proximity to the international airport in Male, the Central Atolls include accommodations ranging from budget hotels on locally populated islands to luxury private island resorts. North Male Atoll’s 30 dive sites include Banana Reef, Manta Point, and the Maldives Victory wreck. Alif Alif (or Rasdhoo) Atoll boasts 19 dive sites and the opportunity to see hammerhead sharks in certain seasons. Alif Dhaalu (or South Ari) Atoll is home to the South Ari Marine Protected Area where you can see whale sharks year-round, as well as mantas at Dhigurah Arches, shipwrecks at MV Kudimaa, and thrilling currents at Broken Rock and Lily Thila. A mere hour’s speedboat ride from Male, Vaavu Atoll dive sites include Cocoa Corner, Kandom Athila, and Alimatha where you can encounter reef sharks, nurse sharks, mantas, eagle rays, and barracuda.
Southern Atolls
Atolls in the Southern Maldives are reachable by domestic flight or speedboat from Male or Gan, taking visitors off the beaten track to boutique accommodations amid friendly locals. Diving Laamu Atoll is more relaxed than many areas, with milder currents and reefs adorned with corals and overhangs. Laamu dive site Hithadhoo Corner is a highlight for divers to encounter manta rays. Fuvahmulah Atoll is the only single-island atoll and offers some of the most exciting diving in the Maldives. Fuvamulah dive sites include Tiger’s Zoo for year-round diving with tiger sharks, and Reef Wall, Island Corner, and Coral Garden offer opportunities to see thresher sharks, hammerheads, whale sharks, mola mola, mantas, and more. Read Dan Bishop's recap of diving the Maldives Southern Atolls in 2024 for more information, video, and photos!
Learn more about diving in the Maldives.
DIVE RESORTS IN The Maldives
Bluewater Travel can help you book a dive resort in the Maldives and over 30 other destinations in the world at the same price or even lower than booking any other way. We are experts on accommodation, diving, and logistics in the Maldives. Email us today or leave us a message through the live chat box to start planning your dream dive vacation in the Maldives!
READ MAYA HANNA'S 2022 TRIP RECAP OF DIVING IN THE MALDIVES HERE.
