What to Expect When Scuba Diving in the Maldives
A tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is not just a popular tourist destination, but also a scuba diving haven, with a number of great dives that each offer challenges of different levels. Finding a local PADI dive shop isn’t a problem either.
What is great about scuba diving in Maldives is that the weather is good all year round. Even during the monsoon months between April and October, diving is still possible, what with the water temperature maintained anywhere from 26°C to 30°C/80°F to 86°F.
Visibility also ranges from 20 metres/70 feet to crystal clear. If things get a little murky, there's still plenty of reason to be excited about, because this usually means Plankton is present, bringing in whale sharks in their wake.
But that's not all you’re going to see in Maldives. Its open ocean draws pelagic animals in many shapes and sizes, including eagle rays, manta rays, a variety of sharks and tuna. Shallow dives, on the other hand, are home to parrotfish, snappers, sweet lips, groupers, and even moray eels and turtles.
Where to?
Fotteyo Kandu, Vaavu Atoll
This dive site isn’t highly rated for nothing. Apart from its many featured creatures, it also boasts of overhangs, caves, swim-throughs and The Thila, a good safety stop in the middle of the channel entrance.
Kuredu Express, Lhaviyani Atoll
If you're looking for a bit of a challenge, this dive site is named particularly because of its strong current flowing through the channel. You’ll find terraces at different depths that are worth exploring.
Kandooma Thila, South Male Atoll
This dive site is a large teardrop-shaped pinnacle that is home to a prolific fish life and with a dramatic scenery to boot. The coral covered walls will take you to a different world underwater.
There are plenty of other dive sites in Maldives, some of which may not be as popular, but just amazing to discover.
To make the most of your dive, sign up for recommended trainings, such as the PADI Drift Diver course and the PADI Digital Underwater Photographer course. Don’t forget to gear up properly, and use only items from a trusted brand. These include the Scubapro GO BCD w/Balanced Inflator and Scuba Choice’s Universal BCD 45-Degree Oral Power Inflator.
