Best scuba diving resorts in the Maldives
With over a thousand islands surrounded by cobalt-blue water and dazzling fringing reefs, it’s no ...
Tropical island allure and exhilarating marine life encounters - the Maldives delivers both five-star luxury and affordable, authentic experiences, above and below the waves.
Maldives highlights
- Get away from it all at some of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts
- Snorkel among feeding whale sharks and manta rays in Hanifaru Bay
- Cruise in style on luxury liveaboards, exploring the remotest dive sites
- Dive healthy reefs and channels in search of big pelagics and schooling fish
- Discover serenity on an idyllic paradise island – perfect for a romantic getaway
With its idyllic white sandy beaches, serene over-water bungalows and incredible megafauna encounters, there is nowhere on earth quite like the Maldives. Comprising over 26 ring-shaped atolls and more than 1,000 coral islands, the planet’s lowest-lying country delivers the ultimate tropical island getaway - a worthy ‘bucket list’ addition for any discerning diver. Once reserved as a playground for the rich and famous, the Maldives is fast opening up to travellers of all persuasions – all in search of unbeatable experiences, and some of the most breathtaking scenery this world has to offer.
The Maldives’ renowned five-star service and indulgences aren’t just confined to the islands. With front-row access to the Indian Ocean, this unique country also offers an endless menu of incredible water-based activities. Explore the reefs in a submarine, dine with loved ones beneath the waves, or cruise the horizon on a luxury yacht – in the Maldives, the world is your oyster. And, with action-packed channels, fast-paced thilas, and over a thousand islands boasting their own vibrant coral reefs, the Maldives is a true divers’ paradise. Throw in genuinely astonishing encounters with whale sharks, manta rays and more, and you have one of the best dive destinations on the planet.
Top Maldives experiences
Year round
Guaranteed tiger shark encounters in Fuvahmulah
For a genuine heart-pounding adventure, visit Fuvahmulah’s Tiger Zoo – the only site in Asia delivering guaranteed tiger shark sightings. On a good day, divers can witness dozens of patrolling tiger sharks, ranging up to five metres in length!
December to April
Experience Vaavu Atolls' thrilling channels
For a classic Maldivian diving experience, head to Vaavu’s epic channels. During the wet season, manta rays rule these waters, but for the rest of the year strong currents provide some truly thrilling shark dives amidst schools of big fish.
When to dive the Maldives?
With so many different atolls and islands, the Maldives offers excellent year-round diving – you just have to know where to look. Two distinct seasons dictate diving conditions in the Maldives - the dry northeast monsoon and the wet southwest monsoon.
The northeast monsoon runs from January to April bringing still, sunny days, while the southwest monsoon, from May to November, has cloudy skies, strong winds and bigger swells. Most of the atolls can be dived year-round, with trips focussing on the sites most sheltered from such seasonal weather.
Manta rays and whale sharks follow the plankton which is concentrated in different places depending on the season. In general, whale sharks and manta rays can be found on the west side of the atolls during the northeast monsoon, and on the east side during the southwest monsoon. But, there are some exceptions, and the Maldives boasts several places where sightings are near-enough guaranteed throughout the year.
