An ideal holiday in Maldives is essentialy packed with Dive Safaris which
allow you to explore other spots near your resort. Nature has bestowed
Maldives with some of the most fascinating marine life. A proper dive safari
gives you an access to the dive sites scattered far and wide and you have a
sporting chance of enjoying close encounters with the exotic life inhabiting
the unfathomable depths of the sea.
Explore the underwater world
The large cruise vessels and liveaboards offer ample facilities for diving.
As others spend their time on the deck or in their cabins, the dare devils
plunge into the warm waters to explore the marine life. Diving is
facilitated by the “Dhoanis” which escort these cruise vessels.
The diving equipment is kept here. As you start to explore the underwater
world you will come across Mantas and other rays, sharks, schools of
trevallies, Napoleans, turtles, Blennies, Gobis, lobsters. The underwater
landscapes with their many hues and a host of marine creatures are a
lifetime experience. You may even have the elusive experience of swimming
along pilot whales or whale sharks. Some liveaboards offer facilities for
night diving too.
Popular Diving Sites
'Manta Point', near the Paradise Island Resort on the southeastern side of
the North Male' atoll is quite famous for its school of Mantas. Further
north, near the island of Thulusdhoo, is a site called the ‘Stairs’.
With its concentration of marine life, including snappers, sweetlips,
whitetip sharks and eagle rays it is a veritable paradise for the divers and
marine life photographers.
Gafaaru, in the North Male atoll, with its many wrecks provide some
fantastic dives. 'Seagull' is a popular diving site in this area offering
the ship wreck and a variety of marine life.
Diving Regulations
- You must have a diving certification card.
- Take your log book along with you.
- No decompression dives and buddy system.
- AOWD or equivalent certificate holders are allowed to explore a maximum
depth of 33m while the OWD holders are allowed 20m.
