The Maldives, a low-lying nation in the Indian Ocean, is famed for its sugar-soft white beaches and colourful reefs, which have recovered well following the devastation of El Niño in 1998 and are teeming with big and small life. Enjoying a tropical climate, warm waters year-round, calm conditions (with occasional mild currents), and excellent visibility, it’s no wonder it has been a firm favourite for diving holidays from those learning to dive to the most seasoned.

One of the big draws is the plentiful marine life, with everything from nudibranchs and frogfish to manta rays, giant turtles and whale sharks. Within the lagoons of the atolls, thilas (rock pinnacles) emerge from the depths, patrolled by grey reef sharks. While navigating through the channels, divers can discover an underwater wonderland of swim-throughs, caverns and overhangs adorned with vibrant sponges, invertebrates and gorgonians. And at designated cleaning stations, you can watch as industrious wrasse and shrimp diligently attend to the needs of manta rays, displaying the spectacle of symbiotic marine interactions.

Ready to start planning your next underwater adventure? Read on to learn more about Maldives diving holidays…

The Northern Atolls:

The Northern Atolls present a trifecta of diving delights, from awe-inspiring encounters with marine megafauna to the vibrant and diverse underwater ecosystems waiting to be explored. As the least developed area of the Maldives, it’s ideal for those divers looking to get off the well-swum path.

Thass Atoll boasts unexplored dive sites and rich coral formations, and there’s the thrilling possibility of encountering the gentle giants of the ocean – whale sharks. In Lhaviyani Atoll, the renowned Felivaru Thila – a protected marine park – beckons with graceful manta rays, vibrant coral gardens (look out for blue strip snappers, oriental sweet lips and neon fusiliers) and fish-filled overhangs that paint the underwater landscape in a kaleidoscope of colours. Moving to Noonu Atoll, divers are treated to flourishing coral reefs teeming with schools of pelagic fish, creating the perfect backdrop for exhilarating drift dives. Here, you can expect to encounter grey reef sharks alongside leopard and guitar sharks. Also keep an eye out for the graceful spotted eagle ray and schools of barracuda.

The Central Atolls:

The Central Atolls offer an array of underwater treasures, from sharks to wrecks, and is the most popular region of the Maldives.

Baa Atoll, in the west, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and it draws in divers with the famous Hanifaru Bay, a hotspot for manta rays and whale sharks. Faafu Atoll has two scuttled wrecks on its house reef, complemented by colourful coral formations – the perfect opportunity for macro photography – and hunting schools of tuna. Faafu Atoll has channels with slightly more challenging conditions, ideal for intermediate or advanced divers. And at Air Atoll, divers can encounter rich marine biodiversity, navigable channels with strong currents, and the possibility of hammerhead shark sightings. This region has plenty of kandus (channels) and thilas (pinnacles), and due to its exposed nature, it has stronger currents, perfect for those who enjoy a drift dive. In Male Atoll, one of the most visited sites, see hawksbill turtles relaxing next to nudibranchs, moray eels and schools of fusiliers, and reef sharks gliding by. And don’t miss the chance to swim with feeding manta rays.

The Southern Atolls:

The relatively unexplored Southern Atolls boast pristine and spectacular thilas, and are a popular stop-off on a liveaboard safari. Visibility in the warm waters is superb, healthy corals thrive, untouched by human interference and large pelagics, including whale sharks, are drawn into the channels, creating a haven for schooling reef fish.

Laamu Atoll is known for its historic shipwrecks and captivating mini thilas which are frequented by schools of mobula rays. With its reduced currents, it’s perfect for those learning to dive, while photographers can train their cameras on the ornate ghost pipefish. Huvadhoo Atoll, in the far south, is known for large pelagic species, like tiger sharks, and showcases underwater caves, swim-throughs and coral-covered pinnacles, creating a mesmerising underwater tableau. Divers heading to Fuvahmulah Atoll can see up to seven species of rare sharks in a single dive. It’s a tiger shark hotspot as well as being home to elusive thresher sharks, schools of hammerheads and oceanic mantas, making it a must for divers who love the big stuff.