Surrounded by crystal-clear waters teeming with an incredibly diverse marine life and extensive coral reefs, the 26 atolls of the Maldives easily lay claim to being one of the world’s best scuba-diving destinations. It doesn’t hurt that the country offers free visa on arrival which, alongside year-round perfect weather, makes the islands a favourite of divers, snorkellers and surfers. “A year-round destination, diving in the Maldives is special because of its warm waters, excellent visibility and, of course, its vibrant marine ecosystem,” says Adam Ashraf, PADI Course Director at Dive Desk.
A favourite for scuba divers in the know
Incredibly, 99% of the Maldives is made up of water and only 1% is land. This unusual composition with a calm and nutrient-rich sea has allowed a vibrant marine ecosystem to thrive, with more than 2,000 species of fish and 700 species of coral. For scuba-diving aficionados and beginners alike, the dive experience is especially unique for its underwater landscape of lagoons, coral reefs, rock pinnacles and caverns. The incredible sea life includes whale sharks, oriental sweet lips, turtles, dolphins and manta rays. “Any dive site with clear water and a variety of fish life and colourful coral formations fascinates me,” says Ashraf. “The interplay of light and shadow captures the essence of nature and creates an environment where marine creatures can be easily seen in their natural habitat.”
Nisaal Musthag, a divemaster instructor at Forest Blu Maldives, adds: “Diving in the Maldives will definitely impact you on a spiritual level. The ocean and coral reefs play a huge role in our culture. Our livelihood revolves around it and our islands depend on it.”
A diverse underwater world
After even the briefest dip into the water, it quickly becomes clear just how spectacular an underwater haven the Maldives is. There’s something for every enthusiast. In terms of favourite diving spots, Musthag admits this is a hard question to answer. “There are so many,” he says. “It also depends on what a person wants to experience and see. Personally, at the top of my list are ‘Heaven and Hell’ in the Haa Alif Atoll, Kandooma Thila in the South Malé Atoll, Fuvamulah and Addu Atolls for tiger sharks, and Addu Atoll for year-round manta rays and sharks.” Ashraf says he has an affinity for wreck diving. “One of my favourite dive sites is MV Victory, located in the North Malé Atoll, as it offers a unique opportunity to delve into the past and discover the mysteries that rest within these submerged structures.”
For some, a liveaboard is an ideal springboard from which to explore this underwater world, not least because of the flexibility to experience a variety of atolls and different dive spots. “A typical week-long cruise covers 17 to 18 different dive spots, including night dives. If you stay in a resort, you are restricted to a few good dive sites in close proximity to the island,” explains Hamza Saeed from Ocean Sapphire, a sleek three-deck yacht. “Staying on a liveaboard also means you’re surrounded by like-minded people who are focused on diving as a priority. The before dive briefs and after dive talks have a very unique vibe and energy among people from all over the world with this common interest.”
While Ocean Sapphire offers itineraries across the Maldives’ many atolls, including popular Male’ / Ari and Vaavu , Saeed says they prefer to focus on less crowded atolls such as Raa and Lhaviyani. “Less travelled atolls offer exclusive and less-touched diving spots where you can see a variety of fish, sharks, rays and coral,” Saeed says.
Making diving effortless
With so much to experience, it comes as an added bonus that diving in the Maldives is so effortless. From touchdown to first dive, the experience is seamless. Once out of the airport, most of the resorts are within easy reach either by speedboat or seaplane, meaning you can be submerged within the warm, crystal-clear waters within hours of arrival. “Our exceptional diving services and facilities, alongside our bountiful marine life makes the Maldives the ideal diving destination,” notes Ashraf. In addition, the warm sea is the perfect recipe both for the comfort of divers as well as for cultivating the thriving underwater ecosystem. On land, barefoot luxury is more than just a marketing catchphrase. For the most part, there is no strict dress code, especially in the resorts, though modest attire is recommended when visiting local islands, and around food and beverage outlets in the resorts.
For beginner scuba-divers, the resorts will generally have first-rate PADI training facilities, while more experienced enthusiasts can further hone their skills under the watchful guidance of trained diving specialists.
A very special place
So, whether you’re a beginner or have more experience, as far as diving destinations go, the Maldives stands out simply because of the vibrancy and sheer diversity of its marine ecosystem. For professional divers such as Musthag, scuba-diving in the Maldives is not just a recreational activity, but an eye-opening experience. “Divers who visit the Maldives leave with life-changing revelations about our unique formation of islands and reefs,” Musthag says. “Just like the symbiotic relationships in the ocean, I strongly believe in the interdependency of humankind and nature. I want to spend my life learning more about it, protecting it, spreading awareness and lastly, to enjoy the ride.”
Similarly passionate about scuba-diving, Ashraf adds: “I was encouraged by my father’s occupation as a dive instructor. My profound appreciation for the natural world and the Maldives’ diverse ecosystem, in particular, influenced my interest to become a professional scuba-diving instructor. Suffice to say, all this, alongside 31 protected areas, the Maldives is a prime location for an unforgettable scuba-diving trip.
