The Maldives has become one of the world’s best diving destinations due to its stunning underwater world and a collection of excellent hotels. Divers and snorkellers will love the chance to plunge straight from their room into the Indian Ocean to discover the amazing treasures beneath the surface. Marine life is varied and plentiful and there are plenty of fascinating wrecks and coral formations waiting to be explored.
The Maldives are a year-round destination. Although the weather is most reliable and visibility at its best during February, March and April, the higher levels of plankton during other times of the year attract a large number of pelagics such as whale sharks and manta rays.
Below are our favourite locations for diving and snorkelling:
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
As a five-star Gold Palm Resort dive centre, Banyan Tree offers a full range of PADI and Nitrox courses. Two house reefs offshore from Vabbinfaru and Ihuru islands allow guests to snorkel at their leisure without the need of a guide. Full day dive trips head out for three dives at three different locations in Himmafushi (North Malé Atoll) and South Malé Atoll. Private whale shark trips to South Ari Atoll can be organised on request. During the south west monsoon, manta rays converge on the outside reef of Lankanfinolhu. The courses at Banyan Tree have a strong emphasis on environmental awareness. Banyan Tree has set its mission to create ecological awareness amongst the guests, in pursuing coral research and pioneer projects supporting marine life.
For those wishing to take to the ocean, why not stay for a couple of nights on the Banyan Velaa yacht where snorkelling and diving opportunities (pre-bookable only) abound? Contact us for more details.
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Constance Moofushi
Surrounded by a spectacular house reef, Constance Moofushi Resort is a snorkeller's paradise. Visibility is usually between 20 and 25 metres, with a slow to moderate current. There are a multitude of corals and reef fish including stingrays, sea cucumbers, lionfish, snappers and eels. The best site, the Main Reef, lies on the eastern side of the island just a few metres off the beach. It faces a channel where fish and mammals (including migratory species such as manta rays, whale sharks, dolphins and sea eagles) pass by.
The Blue Tribe diving company has been based on Moofushi for many years. The Ari Atoll’s southern area (where Moofushi is situated) is famous both for its great dives and an amazing variety of sea life including manta rays, whale sharks, turtles and fantastically diverse coral reefs. 32 major dive sites are in close proximity to Moofushi ensuring a wide range of diving experiences, and a marine biodiversity second to none. There are dives suitable for both open water and advanced divers. Some of these world renowned dive sites are Maaya Thila (famous for its grey reef sharks), Rasdhoo Madivaru Kandu (which has the most spectacular reef formations) and Fish Head (one of the most famous in the Maldives, with caves and a huge variety of marine life).
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Huvafen Fushi
Huvafen Fushi offers a large array of diving opportunities for both beginners and qualified divers. For certified divers, choose between double and single tank dives, morning, afternoon dives and night dives, as well as a wide variety of advanced and speciality courses. Private courses are available for those who wish to have an exclusive and intimate diving experience with their own instructor.
The best dive sites of the North Malé Atoll are in Rasfari which has a large sloping wall that falls from ten metres below the sea to 25, levels out and then ledges off again dropping down to 90 metres. You follow the sloping wall some 30 metres down to the reef and marvel at grey reef sharks, silver tip and white tip reef sharks circling right in front of you, while a large family of eagle rays dances in the current. Completing this magnificent show of underwater magic are some giant barracudas, tunas and napoleon wrasses, as well as schools of fusiliers, blue-striped snappers and surgeonfish. There are many opportunities to go on a variety of different and dives for seeing mantas and whale sharks (during season), eagle rays, grey reef sharks and lots of schooling fish.
To explore the atolls Maldivian style, take a private half-day or full-day diving adventure onboard a traditional luxury dhoni or a comfortable fibreglass boats.
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Soneva Fushi
The diving dhoni at Soneva Fushi departs every day for half-day single dive excursions with most of the dive sites being within 15 to 40 minutes of Soneva Fushi. Full day excursions take you to the most remote, unspoiled and diverse dive sites of the Baa Atoll. Night diving usually happens on the house reef, where one can experience many of the colours and creatures of the Maldives. Turtles, sting rays, sharks, eagle rays, frog fish and a huge variety of other fish can be seen throughout the year.
From December to April the visibility is at its best and can be as much as 50 metres. Seas are calmest from February until April. From May to November the visibility is reduced and 15 to 20 metres is normal. The main factor for the reduced visibility is the plankton which attracts many manta rays and the occasional whale shark. Seas are generally moderate to rough from May to November.
Between May and November, the site of Wella Faru plays the accommodating host to manta rays. At times there are large numbers of mantas and occasional whale sharks feeding on the top reef. You can also see snappers, sweet lips, fusiliers, banner fish and large sized napoleon wrasses. From December to April the channel offers exciting encounters with eagle rays, tuna, jack fish and the occasional honey comb moray eel. During December and January, strong currents here make for a challenging and at times difficult diving experience.
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