Maldives Diving Holidays
Scuba Diving Holidays in the Maldives: Paradise for Underwater Enthusiasts

Welcome to Our Maldives Diving Holidays
The Maldives is a dream diving holiday destination, and for good reason. With its warm, crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and pristine coral reefs, it offers an unforgettable experience for divers of all skill levels. Whether you’re an experienced diver or looking to explore the underwater world for the first time, the Maldives is an ideal choice. In this guide, weâll explore what makes scuba diving in the Maldives so special, what you can expect to see, and the best times to plan your visit.
Exceptional Scuba Diving Holidays to the Maldives
The Maldives is an archipelago of 26 atolls, home to over 1,000 coral islands. It boasts some of the clearest waters in the world, with visibility often reaching up to 30 meters (100 feet). This clarity, combined with the warm Indian Ocean temperatures (ranging from 26°C to 30°C year-round), makes the Maldives an ideal diving location for anyone who loves being immersed in nature.


What sets the Maldives apart as a top scuba destination?
Luxury Dive Resorts: Many of the Maldives’ luxury resorts offer specialized dive centers with PADI-certified instructors, making it a top spot for those looking to combine relaxation with world-class diving experiences.
World-Class Dive Sites: Famous dive sites like Banana Reef, Maaya Thila, and Fish Head offer unique experiences ranging from drift dives to coral gardens.
Abundant Marine Life: The Maldives is a haven for marine biodiversity. Divers can encounter species ranging from graceful manta rays and whale sharks to vibrant tropical fish, turtles, and even the elusive hammerhead shark.
Unspoiled Coral Reefs: The Maldives is known for its thriving coral reefs, which are home to thousands of species of coral and marine life. The reefs are teeming with colorful fish, sea anemones, and crustaceans, making every dive a visual feast.
What You Can See While Diving in the Maldives
The marine life in the Maldives is among the most diverse in the world, offering something new on every dive. Here are some of the species you can expect to encounter:
- Manta Rays: Manta ray sightings are common, especially in Hanifaru Bay (a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), where they gather in large numbers during the feeding season.
- Whale Sharks: The Maldives is one of the best places in the world to dive with whale sharks, particularly in areas like the South Ari Atoll.
- Turtles: The Maldives is home to several species of sea turtles, including the hawksbill and green turtles, often spotted gliding through the reefs.
- Sharks: In addition to whale sharks, divers can often see reef sharks, nurse sharks, and even hammerhead sharks at certain dive sites.
- Colorful Reef Fish: Schools of fish like butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and clownfish are a common sight, adding a vibrant splash of color to the already stunning underwater scenery.
- Octopus, Eels, and Rays: The reefs are teeming with marine life, including moray eels hiding in crevices and eagle rays gracefully swimming past.
The Maldives also offers opportunities for wreck diving, with several shipwrecks lying at diveable depths, covered in corals and providing a home for marine life.


Best Times to Dive in the Maldives
While the Maldives is a year-round diving destination, the best time to visit depends on what youâre hoping to see and the type of diving conditions you prefer.
- November to April: This is the Maldives’ dry season and the peak tourist period. During this time, you can expect calm seas, excellent visibility, and the best overall diving conditions. Itâs ideal for spotting reef sharks, manta rays, and other large pelagic species.
- May to October: This is the monsoon season, which can bring more challenging weather, such as strong winds and occasional storms. However, it’s also manta ray season and the best time to spot whale sharks, particularly in Hanifaru Bay. The slightly rougher seas bring in nutrient-rich waters, attracting a variety of marine life. Visibility may be slightly reduced due to plankton, but this also attracts the larger animals that divers love to see.
No matter when you choose to visit, the Maldives offers something special for every type of diver.
Top Dive Sites in the Maldives
Here are some of the must-visit dive sites for your trip to the Maldives:
Hanifaru Bay (Baa Atoll) â A protected marine reserve, this site offers the opportunity to witness manta rays in large numbers, especially during the feeding season (June to November).
Banana Reef (North Male Atoll) â One of the oldest and most popular dive sites, Banana Reef is a colorful coral reef filled with marine life, including sharks, barracudas, and moray eels.
Maaya Thila (Ari Atoll) â This site is famous for its abundance of white-tip reef sharks, turtles, and a dazzling array of reef fish. Itâs also a great night dive location.
Fish Head (Ari Atoll) â Known for its large schools of fish, this dive site is also a great place to see grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and barracudas.
Kuredu Express (Lhaviyani Atoll) â This drift dive site is known for strong currents that attract manta rays, sharks, and other large pelagic species.


Planning Your Scuba Diving Holiday to the Maldives
If youâre planning a scuba diving holiday in the Maldives, here are a few tips:
Bring a Camera: The underwater scenery in the Maldives is so stunning, youâll want to capture it. Make sure to bring an underwater camera or rent one from your dive center.
Choose a Diving Resort: Many of the luxury resorts have in-house dive centers with PADI-certified instructors, offering a range of courses and guided dives for beginners and advanced divers alike.
Liveaboard Diving: For serious divers, a liveaboard is one of the best ways to explore multiple dive sites across different atolls. These boat-based trips allow you to access some of the more remote and less crowded dive sites.
Our Favourite Maldives Holidays

Arora Virgo, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
Arora Virgo, Maldives Liveaboard Welcome aboard the Arora Virgo, a 35-meter vessel purpose-built for a luxurious and serene diving experience. Designe…

Bandos Island Resort, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
In the middle of the Indian Ocean sits the island of Bandos. A picture-perfect paradise hidden away from life’s everyday stresses. The clear blu…

Blue Spirit, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
M/V Blue Spirit is the embodiment of a comfortable and traditional Maldivian diving liveaboard – a true divers’ liveaboard. M/V Blue Spiri…

Carpe Diem, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
Carpe Diem, Maldives…

COMO Cocoa Island Resort, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
Located at Maldivesâ South MalĂ© Atoll, COMO Cocoa Island enjoys a marine-rich lagoon full of pristine dive sites, such as the dramatic Kandooma Cav…

Emperor Voyager, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
A welcoming modern, spacious liveaboard built to a high standard, Emperor Voyager is a 30 metre boat accommodating 20 guests in 7 twin and 3 double ca…

Four Seasons Explorer, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
THE MALDIVES’ FASTEST AND MOST LUXURIOUS DIVE LIVEABOARD Youâve always been one to chart your own course through life â are you ready to tak…

Four Seasons Landaa Giraava, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
Welcome to one of the worldâs most beautiful islands: a natural UNESCO Biosphere Reserve wilderness where iridescent blues, jungle greens and dazzli…

Honors Legacy, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
A Luxury Maldives Liveaboard Holiday at an Affordable Price The Maldives has to be one of the best diving holidays in the world for people […]…

Horizon III, Maldives Liveaboard
Indian Ocean, Maldives
A Great Value Liveaboard to explore the Maldives If you are looking for a Maldives liveaboard diving holiday, then Horizon III is a floating oasis. [&…

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, Malé, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
Kuredu Resort & Spa, Maldives, lets you choose your favourite accommodation type and perspective to wake up to. Be it the tropical seclusion of Garden…

LUX* Resort, South Ari Atoll, Maldives
Indian Ocean, Maldives
A great place to see whale sharks and other Maldivian reefs….

Maldives Deep South Shark Special, March 2026
Indian Ocean, Maldives
BOAT DATES9-16th March 2026 Early bird discount – ÂŁ300 OFF!!! if you book before 31st March 2025. “Deep South” Sharks and Manta Spe…

Maldives Liveaboard, Shark Special, Feb 2025
Indian Ocean, Maldives
Maldives Shark Special with Marine Biologist Dr. Elke Bojanowski 9-16th February 2025 1 FEMALE SPACE LEFT – ÂŁ300 OFF THE ADVERTISED PRICE A Typ…

Maldives Master
Indian Ocean, Maldives
Maldives Master, NEW 2025 Liveaboard Embark on the ultimate Maldivian adventure aboard the Maldives Master, a luxurious 42m liveaboard designed…

Maldives – Your Best Next Destination!
Scuba diving in the Maldives is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that offers unmatched underwater beauty, diverse marine life, and pristine coral reefs. Whether youâre diving with manta rays, exploring colorful coral gardens, or witnessing the awe-inspiring sight of a whale shark, every dive in the Maldives is an adventure.
With year-round diving opportunities and a wealth of luxury dive resorts and liveaboard options, the Maldives truly is one of the worldâs top diving destinations. So, if youâre planning a diving holiday, look no further than the stunning waters of the Maldives.
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Luxury Maldives Liveaboard Holidays
The best way to experience the Maldives’ incredible dive sites is on one of our luxury liveaboard holidays. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, handpicked itineraries and superb-value packages for all experience levels. Dive in the care of PADI-certified instructors or relax on the sundeck in warm, tranquil Maldivian waters teeming with marine life.
Choose a boat and secure your place on a Maldives liveaboard for a fun, friendly experience at some of the best dive sites on the planet.

For an idea of what some of the best spots to dive in the Maldives watch this video from one of our Group Trips:
Species of fish and marine life in the Maldives
Whether you are a shark enthusiast or prefer reefs, turtles or any other types of fish, there is a lot of marine life to see in the Maldives. Not only can you see a plethora of exotic species, but they also swim in some of the most visible waters under excellent diving conditions.
Types of marine life you can see in the Maldives include the following:

- Tiger Sharks
- Grey Reef Sharks
- Manta Rays
- Whale Sharks
- Eagle Rays
- Dolphins
- Turtles
- Leopard Sharks
- Black Tips
- Whitetip Reef Sharks
- Fan Corals
EVEN MORE..
- Stingrays
- Red-tooth Triggerfish
- Hammerhead Sharks
- Napoleon Wrasse
- Nurse Sharks
- Cowtail Stingrays
- Eagle Rays
- Tuna
- Stone Fish
- Barracuda

It is arguably the best place to go diving for marine life, with such a big selection in and around the same place. Our luxury liveaboard trip is taking place in February 2022 and will cruise from Malé to the farthest southern parts of the Maldives, to make sure you see as much as possible.
Living aboard on the Blue Voyager, you will have the opportunity for extensive marine diving with the modern comforts of a luxury boat that accommodates 26 people. Non-divers, snorkelers or those still trying to learn to dive can still enjoy the extensive marine life and will feel part of the group experience.
Diving conditions in the Maldives

The Maldives attracts people from all over the world because of its clear waters and favourable conditions. Temperatures are generally mild, due to the position of the country just over 200 miles north of the equator. The air temperature can easily range from 25°C to 31°C at any time of year.
General condition information includes the following:
Water temperature: Divers can expect to enjoy warm conditions, at around 26°C to 29°C – possibly even over 30°C at times and in some more southern diving spots.
Visibility: Visibility is excellent, anything from 15 meters to 40 meters. This makes the Maldives great for marine dives. The rainy season takes place during the summer months, so the best time of year to go is during winter.
Currents: There is a range of currents depending on locations, open water dives tend to have stronger currents whereas many calmer lagoons will have virtually no current at all.
The Maldives has something for almost every level of diver, from people who have just begun to learn to dive recently to intermediate and advanced levels. Arguably, it has some of the most favourable conditions in the world, and as we will be visiting at the best time of the year during late February conditions will be ideal.
Maldives diving holidays and luxury scuba trip experiences
Not only does the Maldives have some of the best diving spots, marine life and conditions on the planet, but it is also intensely beautiful. There are many options for liveaboard only trips and extensions to the country’s luxury resorts.
We are experts in providing life-changing diving experiences in the best diving locations around the world!
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FAQs and useful information
The following are some common questions and further details about diving in the Maldives and the services we provide:
How much is diving in the Maldives?
Our diving trips to the Maldives include many options, add ons and extras that can influence the price. An 11-night trip will start from a price of ÂŁ2,296 per person, not including flight costs. You can pay this balance with a low initial deposit and then pay the remaining amount in instalments during 2021, and in full by 13 weeks before the trip.
Is diving in the Maldives dangerous?
Scuba diving in any location carries a level of risk, but the Maldives is generally a safer place to dive thanks to its favourable conditions. With proper precautions, divers can avoid any issues quite simply. Things to be aware of include sharp coral and anemone stings. Stonefish also commonly dwell on coral in the Maldives and will camouflage themselves very convincingly, but with proper protective footwear and proper caution it is unlikely to be an issue. The highly poisonous lionfish is also present in Maldivian waters and divers should keep a very safe distance.


Which month is the best month to visit the Maldives?
The best time of year to visit the Maldives is during the winter months, which begins in early November and ends in early April. The reason that this is the best time of year to visit is that the summer months are the rainy season, which will negatively affect conditions for diving and reduce the quality of the trip. When visiting the Maldives in December seasonal increases in tourism at certain resorts may make it a less desirable time to travel.
Can unmarried couples go to the Maldives?
The Maldives is an Islamic country and holds up many conservative laws over its population, however tourists in resorts or upon liveaboard boats are not subject to the same stringent practices of the religion. Unmarried couples can share rooms and there are exemptions to non-Maldivians in practical terms, meaning visitors can enjoy the freedoms of their home countries without having to worry. Visitors should remember to exercise caution, especially if they happen to leave their resort for an excursion.
Are there any shark attacks in the Maldives?
There is no history of shark attacks in the Maldives. You can expect peaceful swims with sharks, many of which are completely harmless in the first place. Sharks can look fearsome, but keeping a safe distance is the most simple way to avoid any contact while still providing a fantastic diving experience.
I want to come on my own, will I be welcome?
Absolutely. We provide friendly group dives with experienced guides and make sure that all guests have a pleasant and social experience on a liveaboard boat. You will get plenty of chances to meet people and interact with top-class instructors who are keen to provide you with a great experience, no matter how many people are in your party.


Do you need injections to go to the Maldives?
There is no legal requirement for injections to travel to the Maldives, but it is recommended everybody have their basic inoculations as a matter of general health and to minimise any risk. Mosquitos can be an issue during the summer months, because of the rainfall and moisture in the air, but they do not carry disease.
Why is the water in the Maldives so clear?
The location of the Maldives is quite remote, with the Indian Ocean being perhaps the most significant body of uninterrupted water in the world. This results in lower levels of pollution, particularly when you consider the distance the country has from any other location. The result is clear water that attracts a multitude of different varieties of life, and great visibility while diving.
Contact us today for more information and to book your Maldives diving trip.