Diving In The Maldives
Diving in the Maldives is on the bucket list of most divers. Dive sites in this island nation are among the most beautiful in the world.
The Maldives is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, located South of India and North of Sri Lanka. It consists of 1,192 islands and atolls and is home to over 400 species of fish and 500 species of corals. The Maldives vibrates with aquatic wildlife and scuba diving experiences to make for a great diving holiday.
It is common to for divers see turtles, whale sharks, and manta cleaning stations. There may be shark action on the reefs and in the channels.
Scuba diving enthusiasts will love the Maldives because of its warm waters, white sand, and clear underwater visibility.
Scuba Diving In The Maldives
Our PADI dive shops in the Maldives offer scuba diving courses for beginners and professionals. PADI Specialty courses, diving excursions, and free diving are available.
Divers with certification can choose from a wide range of daily diving trips. Divers can participate in a variety of activities for the best scuba diving in the Maldives.
Shark dives, reef dives or night dives – or special fluorescent dives — full-day diving, wreck dives and special trips are available.
Service is a pleasure for the team. On board, you’ll find your diving equipment and tanks. Certified Enriched Air divers can get unlimited free Nitrox at all of our dive shops in the Maldives.
For amateur divers, advanced divers and professional divers, the maximum depth for diving in the Maldives is 30 meters for all scuba diving activities.
Can beginners dive in the Maldives?
If you’re a beginner and you want to dive in the Maldives, we have some good news for you! Yes, beginners can definitely dive in the Maldives.
Diving in the Maldives as a beginner can be an exciting and unique experience. From whale sharks to hammerheads, turtles and mantas, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the deep ocean like never before.
But even though it might seem intimidating at first, diving in the Maldives is an extremely safe and controlled activity. You will be carefully guided by experienced instructors who will make sure you are fully prepared for each dive site’s specific requirements.
The Maldives’ calm and friendly atmosphere makes it an excellent place for beginners to scuba dive. With private and remote dive sites available, you can discover new depths without feeling overwhelmed or rushed.
Come and discover what it feels like to be part of the amazing marine life that calls these waters their home – you won’t regret it!
Learn To Dive In The Maldives
If you want to learn to dive in the Maldives you can get certified or gain more diving experience. We provide PADI diving courses at every dive shop we operate in the Maldives. From beginner to more advanced diving skills. We’ll help you to find the best diving courses and trips to suit your needs and wishes.
You will find qualified multilingual PADI Instructors and Water Sports Guides who will give you a personal and friendly service.
Marine life and photography in the Maldives
Many underwater photographers agree that the Maldives is among the best places to photograph marine life. Because of the variety of fish and coral species.
The Maldives offer blue water early in the year, which is ideal for wide-angle photos.
There is small (macro) life in the Maldives and they are worth taking the time to look for them.
Most underwater photographers prefer to use a wide-angle lens to capture corals and reefs, whale sharks, mantas, eagle rays, and schools of fish.
What is the price for scuba diving in the Maldives?
The price for scuba diving in the Maldives is specific to the diving experience you are looking for. Prices vary depending on the number of dives you want to do, the type of equipment needed, and the type of dive itself.
Prices start around $50 – $80 per person and that price can increase if you need to rent diving gear. Dive trips will have additional boat fees different for each type of trip: single tank dive, two tank dive and full day excursions. To several hundred dollars for dive trips by speedboat. That being said, it’s easy to find packages that include multiple dives.
If you are looking to get PADI certified it will cost more than the diving. The courses come with an instructor who is there to guide you through the course and study materials.
Online bookings offer great packages on scuba diving and PADI courses.
To get a “dive centre specific” cost estimate of your dive trip or diving courses, it is best to contact us for more detailed information about prices and packages available.
Diving in Maldives prices – Book online scuba diving packages
Best Time To Dive In Maldives
November to May is the most pleasant time to dive in the Maldives.
During this period, the Maldives enjoy fantastic sea conditions and clear visibility, making scuba diving one of the best activities.
At many dive spots, you will find several types of fish and marine life.
Turtles visit every dive site in the Maldives. The clear water and blue-green sea are home to hawks bill and green turtles.
There are barracudas, Napoleon wrasse and reef sharks. White tip and black tip sharks; spotted eagle rays and large marbled rays.
The strong currents bring in much large pelagic fish such as sharks, mantas, and tunas.
From May to July, the weather can be unsettled and the visibility may be less than in the high season. As the southwest monsoon currents increase plankton, manta rays and whale sharks are more common.
No matter what you like to do, you will fall in love with the Maldives.
The Maldives house the best luxury resorts in the world. White sand beaches and crystal clear water are sourced from the local desalination plant. The island resorts are quiet and peaceful for a diving holiday.
A great place to dive with big fish like whale sharks, reef sharks and manta rays.
Get a month-by-month description of the weather in the Maldives.
Watch: Diving in the Maldives South Ari Atoll
The Best Atolls In Maldives For Scuba Diving
We have dive centers located in some of the best atolls in the Maldives for scuba diving. Grab your gear and go on a fantastic adventure through one of these spectacular Atolls!
South Ari Atoll
Most pinnacles and channels in Ari Atoll are unprotected against the tidal currents. This creates ideal conditions for drift diving and pelagic encounters with manta rays and whale sharks, to name a few.
Some of the top dive sites in South Ari Atoll include:
- Kuda Rah Thila
- 7th Heaven
- Broken Rock
- Fish Head
A world-class dive site in the area is Fish Head. A towering pinnacle decorated with black corals dominates this marine-protected area. The pinnacle drops from 10 to 35 meters and is home to a healthy population of reef sharks.
Best time to dive:
The most pleasant time to dive at Ari Atoll is January and April. Divers can expect clear blue skies, hot sunny days, calm seas and great visibility.
Between May and October, you can expect more rain, waves and less visibility on the dive trips. And a higher chance of manta rays and whale shark sightings.
Our dive centers in South Ari Atoll at:
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll
At its widest point, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll’s central lagoon extends 65 kilometers and its depth is up to 85 meters. The outer reef protects from the tidal currents, offering varied topography, like caves, steep drop-offs, and pristine reefs.
You will find excellent diving opportunities at Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The water is crystal clear and full of life. There are many species of marine life found in this area, from eagle rays to barracudas.
Best time to dive:
January to April is a great time to visit as the strong currents bring in a frenzy of fish for divers to enjoy. White-tip reef sharks, stingrays, tuna, turtles and grey reef sharks are regular sightings in this atoll.
Divers can enjoy night diving and encounter white-tip reef sharks, stingrays, tuna, grey reef sharks, and manta rays.
Our dive center in Gaafu Dhalu Atoll at:
Raa Atoll
The Maldives evoke images of quiet beaches, a remote wonderland free of tourists’ hustle and bustle. You’ll get that on a trip to Raa Atoll and add scuba diving to your list.
There are channels for drift diving. But most diving in this area is at the thilas (pinnacles), as the visibility can be up to 20 meters.
The most impressive dives are Vandhoo Thila and Labyrinth. Take a giant stride into these dive sites and you will feel you are diving in your private aquarium!
You will see colorful reef fish along with occasional appearances of mantas or grey reef sharks. The ocean floor is covered with soft corals and hard corals that are less common in the northern Atolls of the Maldives. Learn more about the top 5 dive sites of Raa Atoll.
Best time to dive:
Raa Atoll offers diving throughout the year, but the calmest seas come with the northeast monsoon between January and May. During the southwest monsoon (from August to November), you have the best chance of spotting mantas.
Our dive centers in Raa Atoll at:
North Malé Atoll
North Malé Atoll is one of the most popular diving destinations in the Maldives.
There’s something for every diver in North Malé Atoll. Okobe Thila, Banana Reef and Nassimo Thila have shallow water for beginners.
Nassimo Thila dive site is a photographer’s dream with its huge array of fusiliers, eagle rays, bannerfish and huge overhang covered with soft corals. The Maldives Victory Wreck promises more surprises for experienced divers. Learn more about the top 10 dive sites in North Malé Atoll.
Best time to dive:
The best time to dive in North Malé Atoll is between May and October. This is during the southwest monsoon (wet season) and offers memorable sightings of manta rays. Between December and April, the northeast monsoon (dry season), showcases calmer sea conditions, good visibility and pelagic life.
Our dive centers in North Malé Atoll at:
The Maldives Underwater Topography
The unique underwater topography of the Maldives makes it a great place to scuba dive. When diving in the Maldives, you should know three local words: thila, giri, and kandu. They are local terms for the local underwater formations and dive sites.
A thila is a mountain that lies at eight metres or deeper from the syrface. It can be explored in one single dive. Thilas are in atolls or in the channels (kandu).
Giris are similar to thilas, but they are closer to the surface and can be exposed at low tide. They offer protection from the currents and are good dive sites to explore for beginners.
Kandus are channels between islands. They can have strong currents which attract big fish. Drift diving is popular with kandus.
Dive The Maldives With Euro-Divers
Euro-Divers started scuba diving activities in the Maldives since 1972. We are dedicated to providing fun and memorable scuba diving and water sports experiences while maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism.
Our experienced team of divers will help you explore the wonders of the Maldives’ underwater world. From colourful coral reefs to majestic manta rays, you can experience it all with us! We also ensure that our activities are conducted in a way that respects and protects the ocean.
Dive Boats – The Maldivian Dhoanis
The best diving day trip boats in the Maldives are Dhoanis. With wide sundecks, these traditional diving boats are comfortable and spacious. There is any safety equipment needed to keep your diving safe and enjoyable onboard.
Some of our dive centers offer private speed boats for diving and snorkeling excursions. Between dives, you can enjoy refreshments.
Diving Safety
To keep high safety standards, we service our diving equipment every year for your best comfort and safety.
We believe prevention is the best medicine, we recommend calling a specialist in diving medicine before participating in scuba diving activities.
There are decompression chambers in all diving areas. We care about you and want to make your diving holiday a safe, fun and unforgettable scuba diving experience.
Water Sports By Euro-Divers Maldives
In addition to diving centers located in some of the best resorts in the Maldives, water sports centers are available at selected island resorts.
Euro-Divers has opened water sports facilities to let our guests take advantage of this unique location.
You can spend your day sailing a catamaran or exploring the water surface with a kayak.
Awaken your inner thrill seeker with jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, flyboarding, or windsurfing around the crystal-clear blue lagoon.
The Maldives is a perfect environment for the most popular water sports. Suitable for solo, couples or families.
More Diving Holiday Destinations to discover with Euro-Divers Worldwide
Egypt
Egypt offers scuba divers a vast variety of corals and tropical fishes in many colors and shapes as well as a great variety of wreck dives.
Japan
Japan, best known for its rich culture and food specialities is a must-see country for scuba diving.
Mauritius
Mauritius is a beautiful island located in the Indian Ocean and hosts to spectacular coral reefs teeming with marine life to welcome all scuba divers.
Oman
Oman has great diving conditions through the year and divers will be delighted by the abundant marine life.
Spain & Canary Islands
With the international and experienced instructors of Euro-Divers you can join our diving teams in the Canary Islands or the Mediterranean.
Thailand
Phuket is the Mecca of scuba diving in South East Asia. With renowned dive sites like Shark Point Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and the King Cruiser Wreck.
Everything started with my Open Water Course at Koh Tao, Thailand. I’m hooked with the first breath I took underwater – this magical and peaceful world with all these different colors and creatures made me forget about everything else. It felt like an addiction.
This time made me realize that I don’t want to keep diving only as a hobby. I wanted to become a Diving Instructor and make diving my profession.
I was working as an entertainer in one of the resorts in South Male atoll. The first time I tried diving I absolutely fell in love with it, so every day off I would go diving.
I was lucky enough to meet people from Euro-Divers who helped me complete my instructor course and employment later on.
That trip changed everything. Since 2014, I visited more than 50 countries in three continents.
2019, 2020, 2021 – still in Maldives, enjoying what I love the most.
Im sonnigen Süden (Ägypten) lernte ich im Urlaub die unglaubliche Unterwasserwelt bei einem Schnuppertauchgang kennen und lieben.
Anfangs arbeitete ich im Tauchcenter im Büro, mir wurde jedoch schnell klar, dass ich die Gäste nicht nur über Wasser sondern auch unter Wasser begleiten wollte. Somit machte ich die Divemaster Ausbildung.
I studied Hotel management and ended up working for several years in different Hotels/Resorts around Italians seaside where I spend my days off diving and achieving the Dive Master rating.
I choose to stay in Oman because of its unspoiled dive site, beaches and many undiscovered dive places! We do not have mass tourism here and the country itself is spectacular besides being the safest place to live in.
Bored and burnt out of the stressful life in Holland, I quit my job as Manager Back Office & Finance and I went to Curacao for holiday. On this tropical island I took my first breaths under water with Instructor Marc, who is still my buddy in life.
Diving keeps me grounded, relaxed and connected with Mother Nature (myself). It supports me to let go, to put things into perspective and it helps me to stay focused and balanced in my position as a manager.
But diving was not at all my purpose of the journey, in fact I was not even a diver yet, I became a diver after I got passionate in freediving in Egypt in 2012 while freediving with dolphin in the wild, eager to become a snorkeling guide, I did my life guard licence and then my PADI open water!
I love freediving but scuba diving is an all other story for me, learning scuba diving make you discover part of yourself you didn’t know, you learn to control things that you would have never imagined possible, I regularly see many of my students discovering how calm they can be underwater when in life they tend to be hyperactive and then in the other hand I see calm or introverted persons becoming excited and move like a torpedo underwater 🙂 so diving might not be for everyone but it is definitely to discover!
I decided after my hospitality studies to enter this fascinating new world. I have started my career in Club Med as Guest Service and had the opportunity to travel some of the famous destinations for diving or snorkeling.
I am the perfect example of someone who was scared of diving, the only advice I could give is to believe in yourself.
But since I was young, I knew I wanted to travel the world, to go on adventures, have fun and meet people from everywhere. Unfortunately, those jobs didn’t give me the opportunity to do it so after 5 years I decided to move to Thailand.
Scuba Diving is a sport of passion.
During this time, I wanted to try something new, so I started scuba diving and I will never forget my first underwater experience. I felt nervous at first but at the same time a lot of excitement.
Some people might think that diving is a difficult sport, but there are many ways to enjoy safe diving for any age or gender.
