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Best Scuba Diving Sites in the Maldives
Maldives Best Dive Site in 2024
The Maldives is one of the best diving destinations in the world, with warm waters and rich marine life. The best way to dive in the Maldives is by liveaboard boat, but you can also dive from some of the resorts. Here are the 7 best scuba diving sites in the Maldives.
Also read: Where is the Maldives located?
1. Manta Point (North Malé Atoll)
Manta Point in the North Malé Atoll is a seasonal dive site best visited from August to November. It is known for its large population of manta rays, which can be observed at the cleaning stations on the reef. The site is recommended for divers comfortable with currents and drift diving, and it’s advisable to have deep dive training beyond entry-level, as the reef drops down to around 24m/80ft. In addition to manta rays, divers can also encounter whitetip sharks, lobsters, and humphead wrasses at this location.
The North Malé Atoll is famous for its variety of species, including manta rays, whale sharks, hammerheads, hawksbill turtles, grey reef sharks, and eagle rays. The atoll offers colorful coral, deep wrecks, and feeding manta rays, making it a diving wonderland. The best way to access the North Malé Atoll for diving is through Male Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, which is well served by flights from Europe and Asia. Once at the airport, transfers to the atoll’s islands can be made via seaplane, speedboat, or local ferry.
2. Kudarah Thila, South Ari Atoll
Kudarah Thila is a famous dive site located in the South Ari Atoll of the Maldives. It is a small reef covered in soft corals of various colors, making it a stunning underwater pinnacle. The site was declared a protected marine area in 1995 and is a must-visit for experienced divers.
The dive site is home to a variety of marine life, including schools of blue-stripped snappers, turtles, batfish, and palatial towers of gorgonian fan corals and vibrant sea fans. Novice divers can also enjoy the site, but it is best suited for experienced divers. Kudarah Thila is only minutes away from the island of Kuda Rah, making it easily accessible.
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3. Maaya Thila (North Ari Atoll)
Maaya Thila, located in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldives, is a renowned dive site and a Marine Protected Area. It has been voted as the Maldives’ #1 dive spot, offering serene underwater experiences with vibrant marine life and remarkable scuba diving opportunities. Divers can enjoy depths of 121–130 feet with an average visibility of 101–110 feet.
The site is known for its unique marine life, including great barracudas, stingrays, white-tip sharks, and grey-reef sharks. Maaya Thila is also popular for night dives, providing surreal experiences for both novice and experienced divers. The site can be easily accessed by boat, located approximately five miles northwest of the North Ari Atoll. Many resorts in the Maldives offer access to Maaya Thila through the use of boats or personalized boat services.
4. Broken Rock, South Ari Atoll
Broken Rock in the South Ari Atoll is a popular dive site known for its unique formation, featuring a canyon that divides the reef in two. This site is suitable for intermediate-level divers and offers an opportunity to explore a variety of marine life, including fan corals, Napoleon wrasse, turtles, scorpion fish, moray eels, and soft coral.
The site is characterized by its thriving, magnificent corals, sea fans, and gorgonians growing on the walls of the canyon. Broken Rock is accessible from various dive centers and resorts in the South Ari Atoll and is recommended for divers looking for an exciting and diverse underwater experience.
5. Fotteyo Kandu (South Ari Atoll)
Fotteyo Kandu in the South Ari Atoll is a narrow but deep channel on the eastern side of Vaavu Atoll, offering a mesmerizing dive experience. It features dramatic caverns, swim-throughs, diverse coral species, and an abundance of marine life, including various shark species such as blacktip reef sharks. The site is suitable for both beginners and advanced divers, although strong currents can be present, adding to the excitement of the dive. Fotteyo Kandu is considered one of the best dive sites in the Maldives and is a must-visit for diving enthusiasts.
6. Miyaru Kandu (South Male Atoll)
Miyaru Kandu in the Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, is a channel dive site more suited to advanced divers due to the potential for strong currents. The site offers an average depth of 29 meters and a current of 1-4 knots, with water temperatures ranging from 27-30°C. It is known for its diverse marine life, including large pelagics, gray sharks, whitetip sharks, tunas, Napoleon wrasses, and manta rays, making it an ideal location for underwater photographers. The site’s unique features, such as a canyon, small caves, and numerous overhangs, contribute to its appeal for diving enthusiasts. For more information, Visit Maldives
7. Kandooma Thila (South Male Atoll)
Kandooma Thila in the South Male Atoll is a popular dive site in the Maldives, known for its abundant marine life, including barracudas, grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, groupers, jacks, and snappers. The site is located north of Kandooma Island and comprises a meridian reef with a maximum depth of 30 meters. The site is suitable for both novice and experienced divers, although strong currents can be present. Kandooma Thila is accessible from various dive centers and resorts in the South Male Atoll, and it is considered one of the best dive sites in the Maldives.
7 Best Scuba Dive Sites in the Maldives in 2024 (Map)
Best Time for Scuba Diving in the Maldives
The best time for scuba diving in the Maldives is generally from January to April, during the northeast monsoon. This period offers ideal conditions with very good visibility, dry and warm weather, and the least wind. The months of August to November, during the southwest monsoon, are considered the best for encountering manta rays and whale sharks. However, this period may have reduced visibility due to the abundance of plankton in the water. Overall, the Maldives is great for year-round diving, but the mentioned periods are particularly recommended for the best diving experiences, considering visibility, weather, and marine life encounters.
FAQ’s
- maldives resorts with scuba diving
Some of the Maldives resorts with scuba diving include Vilamendhoo Island Resort and Spa, Aveyla Manta Village, White Sand Dhigurah, Fuvahmulah Dive, Plumeria Maldives, Bandos Maldives, Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi, Ayada Maldives, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, Kuramathi Maldives, and Reethi Beach Resort Maldives.
- best time to dive maldives
The best time for scuba diving in the Maldives is generally from January to April, during the northeast monsoon, which offers very good visibility, dry and warm weather, and the least wind.