Although the Maldives are known all over the world for fantastic beaches and turquoise waters symbolizing the tropical idyll, the life of these paradise islands below the Indian Ocean's level is the main draw attracting thousands of divers from around the world. The Maldives has some good coral reefs, but the abundance of marine life across the country makes the islands the world's best scuba diving destination. he Maldives is an exceptional experience in many ways, so here’s an overview of the diving and snorkelling options. This should be helpful to the visitor who has never dived before and has some curiosity about seeing coral and fish in tropical water. It should also help the seasoned diver to decide–first of all–whether or not Maldives is a suitable place to vacation and assuming it is, then what kind of diving holiday to plan. Much of what makes the Maldives distinctive is it’s geography; where Maldives lies and what surrounds it makes the ocean here a bit different than other tropical destinations you may already be familiar with.
Most dives in the Maldives are drift diving from boats where you allow the current to move you forward. Because of the countless channels and passages between atolls, sea currents rush and play between the chains of islands so that the nutrients are always in motion. This explains the presence in the waters surrounding the Maldives archipelago of a large number of fish enjoying an abundance of food, and you can find underwater Napoleon Vrasse, skar fish, snappers, groupers and sweet lips at every dive site where there is current. In some areas there are very strong currents when one can easily separate from the group. If you hit a strong current, swim through it to calm water - but not against it. In the Maldivian channels (kandu), you can explore the house reefs, caves, thilas and overhangs where soft corals grow, surrounded by a riot of colorful sponges, nudibranches and gorgonians - everything is created by nutrient-rich sea water. There are also a lot of cleaning stations, where wrasse and shrimp service serve large marine species such as whale sharks and manta rays. Inside the atoll's lagoons you will often spot an underwater islands that grow almost to the sea level. They are known by the name 'thila' and - often decorated with sedentary life forms. A photographer’s dream, these formations raise water from the ocean floor along their walls, giving food to sponges and soft corals that cling to all sides, creating an environment that supports many crustaceans and schools of coral fish. A little away from the reefs, you will find frequent visitors to the Maldives, including manta rays, eagles and a variety of sharks, including the powerful whale sharks. Everywhere you look, there will be something interesting and a numerous shoals are the spots where the best of the underwater show takes place. Clear water, brightly lit by the sun, is filled with the game of many fish, creating an ideal environment for both underwater photographers and avid divers. In 1998, the el-nino had an adverse effect on some, smaller areas of coral reefs, bleaching pink and red corals. Nevertheless, the reefs are returning to their former colorful glory, and the great marine life of the Maldives has never been exhausted, and indeed many have believed that over the past few decades, the number of marine life has increased significantly, at least in part, as a result of the creation of marine reserves.
Maldives diving is for all experience levels because of the diverse nature of dive sites in the Maldives. Be sure to choose the right island. Less experienced divers can enjoy the more sheltered reefs located away from fast flowing currents. The more experienced divers can enjoy some of the best drift dives in the world. The best channels for diving with reef sharks are in the atolls: Lhaviyani, North and South Male, Vaavu, Meemu, Laamu and Gaafu (probably the best). Elsewhere in the Maldives the channels are too deep for diving. The best sites for collisions with whale sharks are Ari Atoll, and in the atolls of Gaafu and Thaa located in the south. For exploring manta rays, the best locations are, Addu Atoll, North Male, Haa Alifu and Haa Daalu, as well as the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Baa Atoll and Hanifaru Bay. If you are interested in a hammerhead shark, plan on visiting Rasdu Atoll, located north of Ari, or Fotteyo Kandu in Vaavu Atoll. Hammers and tiger sharks live all year round nearby Fufahmulah island. Ari Atoll. Despite the fact that there are many dive sites on Maldives where you can see pelagic species and large schools of fish, Ari Atoll is the most reliable place. The atoll's waters often attract giant fish, including whale sharks, manta rays, hammerhead sharks and eagles, as well as large residents like Napoleon Wrasse, gray and white-tip reef sharks, black-tailed barracudas and bat fish. This accessible atoll is the perfect choice for divers visiting the island nation. North Male Atoll. With easy access from Male this group of islands has become a pioneer dive in the country, really fascinating, and includes some of the oldest and most popular dive sites in the Maldives. Expect to see the breathtaking underwater topography with magnificent thilas, numerous caves, falling steep walls and amazing overhangs. The marine life of coral reefs in North Male is sharks, manta rays, trevally, black snipers, grouper, banner-fish schools, large moray eels, squirrel fish, fusiliers and much more. Diving doesn’t get much better. The best place for hardcoral reefs are in the deep south, Addu Atoll. Addu Atoll is know for there reefs and Manta Rays. Villingili Coral Garden en Meedhoo plateau are just a few of those great dive sites to explore meters of perfect coral reefs. With superb diving for beginners and advanced levels, Vaavu located in the southern atolls has deep channels with fast currents, generously filled with nutrients. At any time of the year you will find here reef and other types of sharks, including the occasional hammerhead shark. The atoll's area is known to Fotteyo Kandu considered by many to be the best dive site in the Maldives due to the picturesque caves, thilas and overhangs. In addition to sharks, you can spot tuna, trevally, unicornfish, snappers, trigger fish, eagle rays, mantas, giant groupers and a vibrant corals. The most popular dive sites in Ari Atoll: Warren Thila, Shark Thila, Diguru Guri, Broken Rock, Gangehi Kandu, Hukrueli Faru, Kudarah Thila, Maalhos Thila, Maaya Thila, Mushi Mas Mingili Thila, Kalhahandi Kandu. The most popular dive sites in North Male Atoll: Banana Reef, Kuda Haa, Lion's Head, Girifushi Thila, Middle point, Nasimo Thila, Rasfari reef, Maldives Victory. The most popular dive sites in Addu Atoll: Manta Point, British Loyalty Wreck, Bodu Hoholha, Meedhoo Corner, Vilingili Coral Garden, Kottey Corner.