Dive into the underwater world of the Maldives during scuba diving. This island nation is where the azure waters beckon with an irresistible allure. We urge you to unleash your water appetite during scuba diving in Maldives. Imagine exploring underwater marine colonies on a diving excursion. Not to mention, diving sites in the Maldives transcend the ordinary. As you immerse yourself in the aquatic wonders. If you want to seek refuge from the cacophony of the outside world, scroll on!
Let the vibrant underwater realm of the Maldives captivate your senses. Explore the best scuba diving destinations in Maldives. All of them promise an odyssey through crystal-clear waters. It’s not merely a vacation; it’s an immersion into the pulsating heart of the ocean.
14 Scuba Diving Sites in Maldives for Underwater Thrillers
Picture yourself suspended amid the Maldives’ pristine blue waters. And where every ripple tells a story of serenity. Now, let’s plunge into the top 14 sites for scuba diving in the Maldives. Scroll on!
1. Banana Reef
Cost in ₹: INR 6,000 (approx.)
Best time for Diving: November to April
Distance from the Airport: 8 km (approx.)
Banana Reef is one of the best destinations for scuba diving in Maldives. Banana Reef is in North Male Atoll. One can reach here via a short boat ride from the capital Male. It’s known for its spectacular underwater landscapes and vibrant marine life. Scuba divers can descend into the water to discover a world of mesmerizing coral reefs! Come here early in the morning by 9:00 a.m. to avoid the crowd.
The clear water of the reef is a kaleidoscope of colours. You will be greeted by a school of tropical fish, sharks, turtles, unicorns, dolphins, puffers, and rays. Visitors can also see shipwrecks on the reef. The reef is located in North Male Atoll, just a short boat ride from the capital Male. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, this diving spot offers an unforgettable adventure.
2. Alifu Atoll
Cost in ₹: INR 17000 to INR 35000
Distance from the Airport: 423 km from Male Airport (1 hr 7 minutes)
Best time for Diving: January to April
Imagine exploring the depths from 16m to 45 m with warm waters. Now, this imagination has turned into a reality at Alifu Atoll. Also known as the North Ari Atoll, Alifu Atoll is a paradise for scuba diving enthusiasts in the Maldives. It’s popular for its diverse marine life like sharks, cuttlefish, triggerfish, Lobsters, tuna, turtles, and stunning coral formations.
Being one of the best dive sites in Maldives, Alifu Atoll is rich in reefs, caves, wrecks, and walls. The majestic Manta Rays create a visual feast for divers, adding to the allure of this underwater haven. So, come here irrespective of being a beginner or experienced diver. The majestic sharks and manta rays create a picturesque backdrop for your underwater adventure!
3. Addu Atoll
Cost in ₹: INR 15,000 (approx.)
Distance from the Airport: 540.7 km from Male International Airport
Best time for Diving: January to March
Addu Atoll is a year-round destination for scuba diving in Maldives. The atoll is known for its great visibility and diverse marine life. When you dive into the warm water, you’ll encounter healthy reefs, shipwrecks, turtles, sharks, eagle rays, and manta rays. So, scuba diving in Addu Atoll is a must-do activity for diving enthusiasts! This atoll is home to the largest wreck in the Maldives, i.e., WWII British Loyalty.
Being one of the best destinations for scuba diving in Maldives, you can explore a variety of underwater landscapes, including vibrant coral gardens, energetic channels, thilas, pinnacles, exciting drifts, thrilling channels, and captivating caves. Atoll is home to Hithadhoo’s nature park, Koagannu, and Gan Island. Divers can explore these locations after the thrilling diving experience.
4. Meemu Atoll
Cost in ₹: INR 20K
Distance from the Airport: 139 km from Male Ibrahim Nasir International Airport
Best time for Diving: May and June
Located in the south-central Maldives, Meemu Atoll is one of the most explored scuba diving Maldives places. Most divers come here to see manta rays, whale sharks, grey reef sharks, solitary reef fish, plus turtles, sea snakes, eels, crustaceans, and mollusks. For advanced divers, the inner reefs of Meemu Atoll present exciting opportunities. Large fish like tuna, mackerel, and grouper swim with shiny flashes in the group, creating a dazzling display.
Watch turtles move through the coral gardens. Meemu Atoll is not just limited to mantas and sharks. If you’re lucky, you will encounter soft and hard corals, channels, pinnacles, walls, overhangs, and steep drop-offs! Also, visit the Mulaku Kandu that’s located in the northeast of the atoll. It has many thilas, schooling fish, and diverse corals.
5. Addu City
Cost in ₹: INR 20K (approx.)
Distance from the Airport: 14 km away from the Gan International
Best time for diving: November to April
Addu City in the Maldives is a captivating destination for scuba diving. The city has several scuba diving locations. For example; Forest blue Maldives, Addu Dive, Sub Oceanic Dive Club, and Aquaventure PADI 5 Star Dive Center. Scuba divers and snorkelers come here to enjoy a beautiful underwater experience. The aquatic wonders in the water include vibrant coral gardens, diverse marine life, and underwater landscapes.
6. Faafu Atoll
Distance from the Airport: 135 km from the Male Airport (MLE)
Best time for Diving: November to April
Faafu Atoll is a mesmerizing natural atoll in the Maldives. The gentle whispers of waves and the tranquil breeze are bliss for nature lovers. The atoll’s resort has strategically positioned two sunken wrecks within its house reef. The wreck lies at a depth of 98 feet (30 meters). Come here to learn scuba diving or advance your diving skills.
Being one of the best destinations for scuba diving in Maldives, Faafu Atoll allures thousands of divers every year! Divers can embark on exciting snorkel safaris with turtles, barracuda, eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, manta rays, and whale sharks. Just a short distance from the beach, there’s a spectacular house reef. You can enjoy snorkeling and see exotic fish and vibrant corals in all shapes and colors.
7. Rainbow Reef
Cost in ₹: INR 9,200 (approx.)
Best time for diving: October to May
Rainbow Reef is among the most celebrated atolls in the Maldives. Divers from around the world embark on this liveaboard jump to explore the diverse marine life and vibrant coral formations. The atoll is renowned for its clear waters and abundant marine life, including eagle rays, tuna, barracuda, and grey reef sharks. It’s an ideal destination for both novice and experienced divers.
Often referred to as HP Reef, Rainbow Reef is an underwater paradise. You’ll be amazed at the sight of the submerged world that unfolds beneath the turquoise water. The underwater landscape features many soft corals, underwater caves, large gorgonian fans, and tunicates. Scuba divers will have to dive more than once to explore the swim-through and hidden corners of this captivating atoll.
8. Manta Point
Cost in ₹: INR 1000 per person
Distance from the Airport: Male International Airport (15 minutes)
Best time for diving: December to May
Maldives is a hub for thrilling water sports like scuba diving. There is no better place to indulge in this adrenaline-pumping activity than in Malta Point. Manta Point is one of the most crowded Maldives scuba diving destinations. The site is open for diving all year round – all thanks to the warm temperature; i.e., between 26 degrees C to 29 degrees C. Emas Thila is a 1 km long area where gentle manta rays gather at 15 to 30 meters (49-98ft) underwater.
Divers from all over the world come to Malta Point to see big, gentle manta rays. The cleaning station for mantas is a big attraction. The underwater area is rich in marine life. You can spot vibrant soft corals, red bass, sea whips, masked bannerfish, dog-tooth tuna, emperor fish, Napoleon wrasse, and sharks on the reef.
9. Nassimo Thila
Cost in ₹: INR 18K (approx.) per head
Distance from the Airport: 10.1 km from MLE | Male International
Best time for diving: December to March
With a maximum depth of 30m (98 ft), Nassimo Thila is an enchanting dive site situated in the North Male Atoll. The crystal-clear waters provide excellent visibility. And hence, this thila is a must-visit for scuba diving enthusiasts. One can come here all round the year. The water temperature ranges from 27 degrees C to 30 degrees C. This underwater haven houses several large pinnacles which were once the focal point of strong currents.
Nassimo Thila is also known as Paradise Rock or Virgin Reef. It’s truly among the best destinations for Scuba diving in Maldives. The underwater marine life includes turtles, sharks, rays, barracudas, napoleons, and black snappers. Only advanced and certified divers are recommended to explore the depths of Nassimo Thila. There are several big pinnacles at Nassimo Thila. These pinnacles go as deep as 15m. In some places, it can further extend deep in the water, i.e., 30m. Diving around the pinnacles allows divers to witness napoleons, barracudas, or small schools of black snapper closely.
10. Fish Head
Cost in ₹: INR 18K (approx.) per head
Distance from the Airport: 129.38 km from the Male International Airport
Best time for diving: December to April
Fish Head is a beautiful diving spot in Ari Atoll. Locals address the place as Mushimasmingali Thila or Shark Point. Divers here often spot sharks, corals, fishes, grey reef sharks, and gorgonians. With a visibility of 18 meters, Fish Head offers a thrilling underwater experience. The currents can be strong, making it an incredible underwater display!
Fish Head has a square-shaped reef that’s 80m wide. You’ll come across overhangs, ledges, and caves while diving. To view sharks, descend into the up-current side of the thila (the current point). Start the dive on a shallow reef. Slowly descend underwater to catch glimpses of the wreck, i.e., Fesdhoo. The wreck is located at a depth of about 25 meters, providing a fascinating aspect to the dive. Some other hypnotizing sights underwater include tunas, Fusiliers, moray eels, whitetip sharks, etc.
11. Hammerhead Point
Cost in ₹: Not Specified
Best time for diving: All-round the Year (More preferably November and April)
Looking for the best Maldives scuba diving destinations? Head to Hammerhead Point located in front of Madivaru Island in the Maldives. This is an advanced diving site that’s particularly famous for encounters with hammerhead sharks. Descend into the blue waters and spot reefs, corals, sleeping turtles, leaf scorpionfish, frogfish, ghost pipefish, and wrecks. Experienced divers can delve into its depths and witness a diverse and captivating marine ecosystem.
Hammerhead Point is named after the hammerhead sharks that are frequently spotted here. Manta rays, Madivaru Corner, and pelagic species also visit the area. The underwater city of Hammerhead Point invites experienced divers to explore its depths. Don’t leave Maldives without witnessing an array of marine wonders!
12. Bathala Thila
Distance from the Airport: 68.85 km from Male International Airport, 156.3 km from Mondulkiri Airport
Best time for diving: All Round the Year
Bathala Thila is one of the top scuba diving destinations in Maldives. Located in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldives, this site is 30m (98ft.). It captivated divers with its breathtaking coral formations and rich marine life. You can dive into the water and observe Grey Reef sharks and Napoleon fishes. The underwater stunning coral formations create an enchanting backdrop for encounters for diving enthusiasts.
The underwater journey starts around 7 meters below the surface in the southern part and goes down to a maximum depth of 25 meters. Before diving at Bathala Thila, just remember that the strong underwater currents can arise at times. So, go underwater only if you are an experienced and expert diver. After diving, explore the northern point of thila. There’s a beautiful terrace with various species of schooling fish. If you’re lucky, you will spot white tip sharks and napoleon wrasse.
13. Fotteyo Kandu
Cost in ₹: INR 15K (approx.)
Distance from the Airport: 100.75 km from MLE (Male International Airport)
Best time for diving: December to May
Fotteyo Kandu is an advanced scuba diving destination in the Maldives. The site attracts thrill lovers from all over the world. You will be amazed while diving into the challenging underwater currents. Divers exploring Fotteyo Kandu will encounter a diverse underwater landscape. It features large overhangs, coral formations, swim-throughs, and schools of colorful fish. If your luck is in your favor, you’ll witness hammerhead sharks, eagle rays, titan triggerfish, and pelagic species in their natural habitat.
Scuba diving at Fotteyo Kandu is available all year round. The underwater caves, found at depths ranging between 25 to 40 meters, add an extra layer of excitement to the exploration. A vast array of marine life is found underwater. Apart from this, the site is covered with a variety of colorful soft and hard corals. Dive into the water at the outer corner of the water, i.e., 22m (72ft) depth. The sight of 50 dolphins accumulating down the channel adds to the thrill!
14. Kuredu Express
Cost in ₹: INR 50K (1 to 4 dive)
Distance from the Airport: 67.48km from MWV | Mundulkiri Airport
Best time for diving: January to April
Try scuba diving at Kuredu Express even if you have no experience. Yes! You read it right. This dive site is situated in Kuredu within the Lhaviyani Atoll. Seasoned divers usually come here to enjoy diving in the formidable currents. You won’t want to leave the place – all thanks to the exhilarating underwater adventure!
Kuredu Express is one of the best places in Maldives for scuba diving. Reefs, corals, and marine life are visible as you descend into the blue waters of Kuredu Express. Encounter the fascinating world of reefs, corals, fishes, grey reef sharks, large tuna, stingrays, eagle rays, huge schools of jacks, Napoleon wrasses, and barracudas.
Wrapping Up
In essence, let the Maldives be your aquatic sanctuary. Embark on the journey to explore the best destinations for scuba diving in Maldives. Beyond a vacation, it’s an immersive journey into the pulsating heart of the ocean. Explore vibrant marine colonies, escape the outside world’s chaos. Embrace the beauty of crystal-clear waters. The Maldives beckons, where every dive becomes a timeless encounter with the ocean’s enchanting depths.
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