Scuba Diving in the Maldives – Under the Sea

The Maldives Islands are the perfect holiday destination for several reasons, of which scuba diving is one of the foremost! Read on to learn more about the incredible adventure which awaits you when you go scuba diving here!

Image by baechi from Pixabay

Do You Need To Be A Swimmer?

The short answer is no! Better yet, you don’t even need a PADI Diver’s licence. However, you do need to dive with a registered diving instructor. Most Maldives luxury resorts take away the hassle of organising your dives. Resorts such as Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences have their dive partners to ensure your safety and comfort are taken care of, as you take the plunge!

What You Can Expect

Diving is an exhilarating experience for novice and seasoned divers alike since no two dives are the same. You can expect to be awestruck by the world that is thriving just beneath the surface of the waves. From gorgeous reefs to a host of colourful fish, sea turtles, manta rays, and harmless reef sharks, it is a whole new world under the sea!

Where To Dive

With over 26 atolls and over a thousand islands to choose from, this can be a really difficult decision to make! From Banana Reef in the Northern atoll which has its fair share of coral reefs and caves to the South Male atoll which has around six popular diving spots, which showcase the full range of marine life, there’s plenty of options for those keen on diving in the Maldives.

The Most Beautiful Atolls in Maldives

The over 1,000 islands in the Maldives are spread across various atolls some of which are more stunning than the rest; here are such atolls worth exploring.

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Roberto Nickson,CC0

Baa Atoll

A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the Baa Atoll truly stands out in the Maldives. 5 star resorts here provide the perfect opportunities for exploration; these include Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences from where you can snorkel with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay, dive to sites rich in coral and marine life and picnic on secluded sandbanks.

North Male Atoll

Located near the main international airport, the North Male Atoll is another picturesque atoll within easy reach of Male, the capital. One can surf in the waves off Thulusdhoo Island, while there’s plenty of underwater wonders too; popular sites range from the well-known Banana Reef and Manta Point to the intriguing Victory Wreck.

Ari Atoll

Another great atoll for snorkelling and diving in Maldives, the Ari Atoll provides much to discover amidst its scenic islands and underwater landscapes. The reefs here are thriving, home to vibrant coral and diverse marine life including turtles, moray eels and whale sharks, while culture can be experienced on local islands like Rasdhoo.

Lhaviyani Atoll

The Lhaviyani Atoll has more wonderous sights to behold including the stunning 30-km-long reef between the Selhlhifushi and Aligau islands. The Shipyard is a site with two wrecks home to lovely corals and species like butterflyfish and Napoleon wrasse, while on Naifaru island, you can see beautiful mother of pearl artefacts.

Discover the Baa Atoll’s Marine Treasures

A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the Baa Atoll in Maldives gives you a chance to encounter some truly spectacular coral and marine life. Here’s a peek into what to expect.

 

Mantas & Whale Sharks
One of the best things you can do here is to go snorkelling in Hanifaru Bay and swim amongst huge manta rays and even whale sharks! The perfect complement to a stay at luxury villas in Maldives resorts, this activity is seasonal and best experienced from June to October when the plankton concentration is more.

The Blue Hole
Amongst the Baa Atoll’s most enthralling sites is the Blue Hole; part of the house reef at Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences, this unique attraction features a mysterious-looking hole formed by an underwater chimney of sorts lined with corals; an ideal spot for diving or snorkelling, you can see diverse marine life from triggerfish to hawksbill turtles.

More Adventures
Resorts in Maldives that offer snorkelling safaris to explore the Baa Atoll provide plenty of marine encounters including tropical reef fish, Napoleon wrasse, reef sharks, moray eels, green turtles and more. Diving is also popular since there are over 40 sites to explore, while you can go on dolphin spotting cruises too.

Night Expeditions
Depending on the resort, you may also have the chance to go on night snorkelling or diving excursions; it’s not every day you can include that in your list of nightlife activities! Apart from seeing nocturnal marine life, by way of special filters and blue light you can also witness bioluminescent lifeforms and plankton too.

 

 

Wakeboarding in Maldives

Planning a holiday to the Maldives and looking for some speed-filled thrills? With plenty of adrenaline-pumping fun on offer, wakeboarding is the water sport for you!

What is Wakeboarding?
This water sport is like a combination of several activities; the board is somewhat like what you will see in snowboarding, techniques used are similar to surfing and you are pulled at pace by a speedboat as in water-skiing. Besides staying at villas in Maldives resorts, you should try this experience too!

Where to Try It
Not all accommodation options provide this activity so do check ahead; properties on private islands such as Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences do offer it and you can soon be out in the water. April to October is a great time to try wakeboarding though it can also be enjoyed at other periods.

Lagoon and Sea
When looking to enjoy such water sports in Maldives, you can try it either out at sea or in more tranquil lagoon waters. Most operators will provide the needed training and guidance for novices, while seasoned pros can take part in this activity as soon as possible and show off their aerial tricks and manoeuvres too!

Tips to Remember
While you will get help with the techniques of wakeboarding, it’s always good to keep in mind a few basics;

• Figure out which foot you should lean on / place forward
• When standing up, put more than half your weight on the front foot
• When in the water before starting, keep the board on its side