This cozy resort has only nine rooms, but it’s a perfect choice for year-round diving. The Best Dive Resorts in the Maldives Komandoo Maldives Island Resort. This... 2. Diving from a liveaboard offers the chance to have a different amazing Maldivian diving experience every day. Not too far northeast of South Male Atoll is the Embudhoo channel, the best location to spot sharks in this atoll. Meeru Island Resort And Spa. Numerous overhangs and ocean-swept currents provide the perfect environment for vibrant corals, plenty of reef fish and whitetip reef sharks. 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. Also in Dhigurashu Kandu, Five Rocks is formed by a pinnacle that has been split into five pieces over the centuries. 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 like Kuda Giri because it’s an accessible dive that suits beginners and those looking for a respite from the big currents on most Maldivian dive sites. What divers really come to Bathala for though is the smaller stuff. Scattered like emerald jewels in the sapphire blue Indian Ocean, the warm waters of the Maldives are a great place to see manta rays, whale sharks and a rich array of tropical fish. Shark Point or Mushimasmingili Thila) is one of the best shark dives in the Maldives. 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. Ask us here! 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. Featured Creature: Whitetip Reef Sharks, Stingrays and Red-tooth Triggerfish. Northeast Monsoon Season The best channels for diving in the Maldives with reef sharks are at - Lhaviyani, North and South Male, Vaavu, Meemu, Laamu and Gaafu (probably the best). Income disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn affiliate commissions when you buy via links found on DIVEIN.com: If you find a good deal on our site, you click to the retailer and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. The reef is suitable for beginners, and even snorkelers can enjoy the shallow sections. The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives. Kuredu Resort & Spa. Jan, 2021. That tradition has thankfully ended, but the sharks remain. Divers should keep their eyes on the blue — that’s where the magic happens. No scuba experience is necessary as Sun Island is open to both snorkelers and divers. The pelagics love a current so expect schools of tuna and trevally in the deeper blue water. Kandima Maldives. 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. The Wet Seasonwith rain, winds and waves runs from May to August reducing the... Scuba Diving conditions . Combine wow-moment marine life with awesome geographic features and you have an idea of what to expect. The nearby reefs are some of the... Kinan Retreat. 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. Maldives best liveaboards. Was just there in June but not the same as it was 18 years ago. Elsewhere on the reef, crevices, channels, and caves hide a wealth of marine life. While it’s possible to dive many of these sites individually while staying in a land-based resort, the best way to dive all the best sites in the Maldives is with a liveaboard. Featured Creature: Eagle Rays, Tuna, Grey Reef Sharks, Stingrays and Barracuda. Along the sloping walls, divers find deep crevices, cracks, and excellent coral cover. There’s a perfect dive site for every interest and ability. Under the turquoise water’s surface, a wealth of marine biodiversity greets visitors. However, you won’t be needing a tank just snorkeling gear as diving in the bay is now prohibited by the Maldivian government. Nurse sharks, giant trevallies and marble rays cruise around and between divers, whipping themselves into a feeding frenzy. The dramatic caverns, overhangs, swim-throughs, and caves make for an exciting dive. The big drawcard here is the white-tip reef sharks. Divers hover in the shallow water as the rays bump and glide over their heads to feed on the riches. Day or night, Maaya Thila ranks among the best dive sites in the Maldives. As you might have guessed from the name, Kuredu Express is a fast drift dive. 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. Take your camera because the caves and overhangs on Maaya Thila house giant frogfish, up to 30cm/11” long. Fesdhoo is known for its visiting manta rays and liveaboard boat captains know it. It’s also a great dive to spot giant trevally and jacks hunting and hanging out in the current. The best areas for whale shark encounters are Ari Atoll, and Gaafu and Thaa atolls in the south. 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. We're a free review guide - run by passionate Divers, Sports and Outdoor fanatics. The wreck was closed for three years but is now diveable again. Plus, the channel is home to a wealth of interesting marine creatures. At the end of the dive, shallow colorful reefs and leaffish make decompression just as interesting as the dive itself. Constance Moofushi Maldives is situated on the South Ari Atoll and is widely regarded as one of the best diving spots in the world. No best-of-the-Maldives list is complete without Manta Point (not to be confused with Manta Point in Nusa Penida, Indonesia). Five Rocks is a favorite among photographers for its dramatic underwater landscapes. Large potato and coral groupers lurk in the dark overhangs or sit in the current looking for a meal. Geographic features include craggy overhangs, ravines, and crevices, all of which provide a brief respite from the current. Best Time to Dive in the Maldives Diving is possible all year round in the Maldives. The outer reef is situated in Rasdhoo Atoll and the clear waters drop sharply down to around 200m/650ft. Often dived at night, the vessels moor and then use high powered lights to attract plankton to the surface. 08 Aug 2016 Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa has always been about quality, not quantity. Like Maaya Thila, this site on Vaavu Atoll is a great spot for a night dive. The fast-flowing Maldivian waters house grey sharks, dog-tooth tuna, and Napoleon wrasse. Money cannot influence our reviews and our passion cannot be bought with free products. The 10 Best Dive Sites in the Maldives 1. 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. The neighboring pinnacle often houses octopuses and the occasional leaf fish. Dive resorts in the Maldives are an excellent option for budding and experienced underwater photographers due to the sheer beauty and varied colours of the marine-life. On the decks, you’ll find a carpet comprised of lots of colorful sponges and sea squirts. Best Diving sites in Maldives Best Dive Review. Where is best in the Northern Atolls for whale shark and turtles around the full moon? Recommended Level: Intermediate to Advanced. He’s been working as a diving instructor in various paradises around the world. Diving Resorts in Maldives Bandos Maldives. The current can be strong but beginners with a high comfort level should be easily capable of making this dive. But, the liveaboards have the advantage of reaching spots further away and can therefore give a more unique dive experience. 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. That’s not the only attraction here, the current also pushes past caverns and caves coated in soft corals and sponges. — 29°C / 84°F RAINFALL DAYS — 112mm / 4.4 inches. Far from land in the mid-eastern part of the atoll, Fish Head (a.k.a. Divers can also spot Moorish idols, turtles, mantas, triggerfish, barracuda, nudibranchs and much much more. On a good day, up to 20 of these sharks patrol the reef. You will have the chance to observe different species such as manta ray, scorpion fish, … The captain, anticipating a safe passage decided to follow another vessel but made a critical error. On the reef’s edges, leaf fish can be seen. Also circling the pinnacle looking for food are grey reef sharks and the occasional guitar shark. Got questions about diving in Maldives? #2 Gallapagos Ecuador. Nudibranchs, flatworms, slugs, sea hares, shrimp, and more mean macro lovers will be in their element. Lots of liveaboards offer their diving safari trips within Central Atolls ( North & South Male, North & South Aril, Baa, and Raa) that is commonly called The Best Of Maldives. Here’s our pick of the bunch. Along the northern wall, a series of caves and crevices are open to divers as the current pushes them along. Hammerheads might be around at the beginning of the channel or the occasional dolphin could pass by. Glassfish, gobies, batfish, and frogfish are some of the smaller creatures while turtles and humphead wrasse are also present. There really isn’t a bad time of year to dive in the Maldives but here is a guide of what you can expect from each season in the Maldives. At this location, swimming with whale sharks can be enjoyed both by snorkelers and scuba divers. AVERAGE TEMP. The dive usually ends at a colorful reef where smaller crevices hide macro critters, the perfect place for a safety stop. This demanding dive holds great rewards for experienced divers — the chance to be in the water with dozens of schooling hammerheads. But the real show begins after sundown. The intact steel hull of this cargo ship sits tilted on its side and provides a home to all sorts of interesting creatures. 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. Channels and pinnacles (kandus and thilas in the local language) support both heavy currents and protected coral reefs among these 1200 islands. Like many sites in the Maldives, you can expect a few sharks, maybe a manta or two in the blue and eagle rays. Here are our picks for can’t-miss underwater experiences. Because the wreck is located in a channel, the currents can be kicking. Another thing you should expect to see on Banana is people. Cruising the Maldives on a liveaboard might just be the best way to get the most out of your holiday. A shallow dive, with a max depth of 15m/49ft, this is a suitable site for bold beginners. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. In the blue, eagle rays, tuna, barracuda, and grey reef sharks can be seen. However you can... Best time to dive in Maldives . Sometimes, the creatures even bump divers accidentally because of their excitement. Up to 16 resident grey reef sharks can be spotted on a single dive, darting around at an unsettling speed. Now protected by a marine area, this reef was the country’s first internationally famous site (for good reason). Divers can also see eagle rays, sharks, and titan triggerfish — one creature they might be less excited about. 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. With more than a thousand islands making this archipelago a paradise, it is assumed that the individual scuba diving sites would probably be in the thousands too. S… Best diving I have ever done #1 Socorro Islands with the giant Mantas in Mexico, S of Cabo San Lucas!!! Below we’ve listed the ten best dive sites in the Maldives as determined by our scuba diving experts. Featured Creature: Grey Reef Sharks and Hammerhead Sharks. Diving The Maldives the best way possible: on a liveaboard where you get to see all the amazing dive sites and live in luxury. Thanks to the Alimatha Resort kitchen’s practice of cleaning fish on the jetty, local marine life now congregates under the planks hoping for an effortless feed. Macro photographers who find shelter from the current by the cave entry should keep an eye on the soft corals, lots of life hides in these. The Maldives is a unique place where everyone can find the best conditions for diving according to his abilities. Lots of Pelagics, so so visibility but really awesome. The wet season is June to November and the dry season is December to May, with the best time for diving being January to April. The world-class pinnacle is teeming with life including turtles, frogfish, and sharks. And the best place in the Maldives to find these huge fish is Sun Island. These months represent the northeast monsoon when currents favor excellent visibility and diversity of species on the more popular eastern atolls. Divers generally drop to 30m/98ft on the south side to shark watch. The most popular liveaboard trip is usually a 7-night trip which gives you an opportunity to visit up to 5-6 atolls. They offer dive trips to a world-renowned coral reef system that’s home to over 200 species of hard and soft coral. Sandro is a globetrotter and sea lover. Day or night, Maaya Thila ranks among the best dive sites in the Maldives. The gently sloping reef gives way to a sheer drop off but it’s at around 20m/65ft where all the action is. For best overall visibility underwater, calmer seas and clear blue skies, head to the Maldives between December and April, arguably the best time to dive in the Maldives. In fact, “miyaru” means shark in the local language. Furaveri Maldives. This pinnacle stretches to a whopping... Alimatha Jetty. Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa. In turn, the plankton attracts mantas. Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Strong currents make this site better suited to advanced and experienced divers but those same currents are responsible for the wide variety of marine life found here. Enjoy your dive stay in the Maldives by booking a diving cruise. The wall slopes down to around 30m/98ft deep, making it suitable for beginners and advanced divers alike. veligandu Island Resort & Spa MALDIVES. Drop us a comment below and let us know why you love diving in the Maldives! This luxe, adult-only resort is perfect for diving. Coral aficionados will love the sea fans and black corals while those looking to find Nemo will revel in the anemone city at the top of the reef. We also offer Luxury Yacht Charter and Guest Transfer Services from the airport to the resort through our sister company Best Yachts Maldives. Maaya Thila, South Ari Atoll. Diving in the Maldives is an experience not too be missed. As the sun sinks into the water, scuba divers kneel in the sand under the jetty. Macro photographers love the Victory for its ghost pipefish and nudibranchs. Between May and November, you'll find stronger winds and slightly rougher seas, but also hopefully plenty of nice sunny spells and water and land temperatures remain lovely. August-November is considered the best time of year to see manta rays and whale sharks. 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. Vadhoo is the site to visit for that. Banana Reef is the dive site that put the Maldives on the map. Jacks congregate en masse and snapper and wrasse dart in and out of the corals. Featured Creature: Sea Turtles and Napoleon Wrasse. Here, divers can explore Jack’s Corner, a well-loved cave at 24m/78ft carpeted in soft corals. Try to get here in the week before a full moon for the best chance of seeing the creatures. Apart from mantas, divers can spot vibrant soft corals, sea whips, dog-tooth tuna, Napoleon wrasse, sharks, and trevally. Wondering which sites to tick off your Maldives bucket list? House reef snorkelling is a great bonus to your Maldives beach experience. This famous manta cleaning station is a drawcard for divers around the world who flock here to see the gentle giants. Water temperatures range from 80°F/26°C-86°F/30°C. Cold water diving at its best. 10 Best Scuba Diving Liveaboards in Maldives The Maldives is an amazing paradise that is right here on earth, located deep in the Indian Ocean. Nurse sharks, stingrays and giant trevally whip up a feeding frenzy, bumping into the divers in excitement. 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. Your email address will not be published. When to dive in the Maldives With a tropical climate and warm temperatures year round, Maldives can be dived at any time. The reef starts at just 5m/16ft and drops to a maximum of 35m/114ft. Much like Maaya Thila, Alimatha Jetty is the perfect location for a night dive. At the intersection between the channel and a perpendicular reef, several terraces at various depths make great platforms to hang out and watch the action. This site is best reserved for divers with excellent buoyancy control. DIVEIN.com is an online Scuba Diving, Water Sport and Outdoor Guide where you can read articles, reviews and guides. Fish head gives divers a chance to see these creatures up close and personal. The Maldives are one of the best destinations in the world for swimming with whale... 3. Thank you. Most often, this dive is run early in the morning for the best chance of seeing the sharks. The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives. Napoleons are frequently spotted here, too. Look out for unicornfish, soldierfish, and turtles in the overhangs and keep an eye on the entrances as tuna, white-tip reef sharks, and eagle rays often swim past. I would like to do a dive resort. Jumping in the water in the dark of night, you’re immediately surrounded by a feeding frenzy. Among the many soft corals, divers will also find large gorgonian fans and tunicates. Situated on the eastern edge of South Male Atoll is Cocoa Thila. The southern shore of the island opens to the Indian Ocean and boasts a plateau of 15-30 feet (5-10 meters), making it easy to spot the whale sharks that cruise by. What are your favorite dive sites in the Maldives? 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. Sharks and grouper as well as reef fish like Napoleon wrasse and jackfish congregate in these crystal clear water. In 1981, a 100-meter-long cargo ship from Singapore sank after hitting Hulhule Reef. Diving in the Maldives in 2021. With warm, crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, and island after island to discover and explore. Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8 SUP Board Review, Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12’ SUP Board Review, Thurso Surf Waterwalker 11 SUP Board Review, Beginners Guide to Stand Up Paddle Boarding, 90 Degree by Reflex Power Flex High Waist Pants. The best house reefs for snorkelling in Maldives are generally readily accessible; you only need to don a mask, a snorkel and fins, and head into the water to enjoy beautiful underwater wonders … Recommended Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Most dive centers and liveaboards focus their attention on the north and west walls. Not to mention the odd turtle here and there. Simply, swim around the pinnacle and enjoy the action! We suspect that will change soon as more and more divers discover how epic the diving is. With the reef on your right, look into the blue and you’ll see sharks, eagle rays and dogtooth tuna. One popular feature is the aptly named ‘chimney’ running from 10 to 24 meters (32-78ft). Furaveri Island Resort & Spa. However, most people agree that diving between November and April is the best season for diving because of the chances of oceanic manta rays, whale sharks, thresher sharks and hammerheads. However, the ship offers some shelter while divers are exploring. Check with your dive center or liveaboard before making this night dive as at certain times of the year, the site can be a bit crowded. 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. Diving in the Maldives is possible year-round, but for the most enjoyable conditions, travel between December and May is suggested. 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. Now the wreck of the Victory rests between 12 and 35 meters (39-114ft) and is home to a thriving reef system. Your email address will not be published. The best time to dive the Maldives – when to dive in Fuvahmulah Diving is possible year round in Fuvahmulah. Baa Atoll - awarded UNESCO Reserve status in 2011 - has some of the Indian Ocean's best dives for beginner and advanced divers. The marine protectorate area is home is populations of both white and grey-tip reef sharks. The reef itself spans about 80m/252ft diameter (small enough that divers can explore most of it in one go, currents permitting) and starts at just 6m/20ft deep. Sun Siyam Olhuveli. The island’s southern side is open to the Indian Ocean and has a shallow plateau at 5 to 10 meters (16-32ft), the ideal spot to wait for the sharks to pass by. One of the most popular dives in the Maldives and often featured in world top-ten lists, Maaya Thila’s reputation exists for good reason. This site’s accessibility is the same thing that makes it so popular with day-trippers, divers, and snorkelers. The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 coral atolls, which are made up of hundreds of islands. Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa. This teardrop-shaped, underwater island is approximately 1000 feet (300 meters) long, and therefore not easy to circumnavigate in a single dive. 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. Recommended Level: No Scuba Experience Necessary. This doesn’t make a trip to the bay less of an experience, though. Tiger sharks, mola mola, oceanic whitetips, threshers, hammerheads, reef sharks, and much more much this island a pelagic lover’s dream. The lights from the jetty make Alimatha a great place for night-time underwater photography. This may be the best site for hammerhead shark action in the whole of the Maldives. Did coral reefs survive anywhere in Maldives? This pinnacle, which starts at 20 feet (6 meters) and reaches down to 100 feet (30 meters), is home to dozens of whitetip reef sharks, a variety of stingrays, giant trevally, barracuda and nurse sharks. Possibly the most famous dive site in Lhaviyani Atoll, Kuredu Express is so named for the heavy currents which pass along a sandy channel. Required fields are marked *, → The Best Scuba Diving BCDs For Every Budget 2020 Reviewed by our Scuba Instructors. This pinnacle stretches to a whopping 400m/1312ft and slopes down to a drop-off 30m/98ft deep. Euro Divers was founded by Swiss citizens over 40 years ago and offers safe, exciting and professional diving in some of the world’s best diving locations. Conveniently, Amilla Fushi is situated just minutes away from this exceptional destination - not to mention other renowned dive sites such as The Blue Hole – making it one of the best scuba diving resorts in the Maldives. Fish Head, also known as Shark Point and Mushimasmingili Thila, is widely known as one of the very best shark dives in the Maldives. Famous for having the best waters in the world, Maldives is, without a doubt, the best place on earth to go scuba diving. If brands send us free stuff, we give it away to our readers - to remain unbiased. It does not make the product pricier for you. 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. This is how we pay ourselves. 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. During the northeast monsoon, the strong current pulls pelagic species into the channel. The occasional turtle cruises past, too. It is composed of 1.190 Islands which are spread beautifully around more than 20 atolls. Situated on the eastern edge of South Male Atoll is Cocoa Thila. 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. Thank You! Baa Atoll is justifiably famous for huge seasonal congregations of manta rays and whale sharks at Hanifaru Bay. Sort this list to fit your scuba level and wishes. The coral here is spectacular and deserves as much attention as the marine life. Bigger creatures include turtles, pufferfish, batfish, and schooling fusiliers. We’ve included Hanifaru Bay because between December and May is really is a magical place to visit. Kandima Maldives. Hi. | Sandro Lonardi. Look out for the schooling jacks, snapper, and butterflyfish closer to the walls. Divers willing to tackle the currents here are in the perfect spot to see any passing pelagic life. Did we miss anything important? The best scuba diving in the Maldives encompasses everything from big animals like whale sharks to vibrant coral reefs.