Guide to Diving Maldives – DiveAssure offers quick tips for diving in the Maldives
June 29, 2023
Written by Elizabeth Langenberg.
There was a time when this top diving destination seemed unreachable to most – However, diving Maldives is no longer just for the rich and famous
If you like to go on diving holidays, then you have probably already placed the Maldives on the top of your bucket list. This beautiful country consists of over one thousand islands stretching 800 km from north to south and offers almost everything a diver could dream of.
If you visit the islands themselves, you may find few differences in vegetation, landscape, history, and culture; however, head underwater, and it is an entirely different story. The underwater variety you will see when scuba diving Maldives is amazing, from atolls made solely of hard corals and teaming with large pelagic fish to amazing reefs full of soft corals and macro life. There is something for everyone when you know where and when to go.
A diver’s paradise - Resort, local, or liveaboard?
The answer to this is not simple; it depends on many factors and is very personal. Here we will explain the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each, and then you can choose which is better for your diving Maldives vacation. Generally, a resort or local island is better if you visit with non-diving family members. A liveaboard is more fitting to get in as much varied diving as possible.
Let’s take a look:
Resort
With over 100 different resorts stretching from the very north to the very south in each of the 26 atolls, there are plenty of choices for scuba diving Maldives. Whether you want a cheap(er) three-tier resort experience or want to go all out with a 5-plus-star resort, there will be something for almost everyone’s tastes and budgets.
A resort in the Maldives is the definition of a luxury escape. Most offer accommodations in the form of a villa, wooden beach hut, or water villa, with different categories depending on how luxurious you want your stay to be. Most resorts offer an all-inclusive package, but half or no board can be an option too.
There is usually just one dive center per resort, and you are limited to diving with only that dive center. Traveling to another island from your resort is often very difficult, if not impossible. These resort dive centers are often run by foreigners with foreign instructors and local divemasters that can offer a selection of languages, making it the ideal choice if you are planning a diving course and need a specific language. Contact the dive center in advance to ensure they offer the language and course you are looking for. Use SSI’s MyDiveGuide Center Locatorfor help finding your dive center.
Local Island
An excellent choice for those visiting on a budget or those wanting to experience the real Maldives, Maldivian culture, local life, and local cuisine. Local tourism was prohibited up until 2010. Since then, the local Maldivians and some ex-pats have worked hard to develop quaint, relaxing guesthouses or even some luxurious hotels for visitors wanting an authentic feel for the real Maldives. The islands vary as some are still developing and only have one or two guest houses to offer, with very little tourism. Going more off the beaten track has advantages and disadvantages - on the one hand, you can experience more of the authentic local life and be able to join in some of their daily tasks and activities; however, there the touristy aspect will be lacking with fewer shops, watersports options, and dive centers to choose from.
Other islands have developed fast and offer over 20 different hotels of various categories on just one island. On such islands, there is already quite a touristy feel, which makes many feel at home on vacation, and for others, it is too commercialized. On such islands, you will find many different souvenir shops, various restaurants, and many activities. The big advantage of such an island is that there are often various dive centers to choose from, with some offering languages other than English. It is best to enquire first before booking to avoid disappointment.
Liveaboard
Looking to dive, dive, and dive some more? Want to see the most diversity of marine life, dive sites, and islands in one trip? Does it excite you to be on a boat with strangers, knowing you will leave as friends? Then diving Maldives on a liveaboard trip is for you.
Liveaboards are often a cheaper way to enjoy diving in the Maldives. With an average of 3-4 dives per day, you definitely get your money’s worth. There is a wide range of liveaboards to choose from. The more basic ones offer comfortable shared double, twin, or triple rooms, a shared dining area, usually outside but under shelter, and a communal living area. Your category will determine if you get a private bathroom or not. The higher-end liveaboards offer jacuzzies, masseuses, yoga instructors, other water sports activities on board, and private rooms or a maximum of a twin share. All liveaboards offer full board with delicious meals.
When is the RIGHT Season?
That depends on where you are heading, what you are looking for, and why you are going to the Maldives. The Maldives has two different seasons, the southwest monsoon, also known as the wet season, which starts around mid-May and continues through until November, and the dry season from January to March. December and April are unpredictable transition periods and are not included in any particular season.
The dry season is, well, dry, but it is also the season where you will most likely enjoy glassy-smooth waters, beautiful sunny days, and crystal-clear visibility. It is also the season when stronger currents bring up abundant nutrients from the deep and attract more pelagic species into the shallower waters. On the other hand, it is the more popular and expensive season, and the stronger currents can be too much for some divers.
On the other hand, the wet season is wet! However, it is the cheaper time to travel to the Maldives. Although you can be very unlucky, the weather is often still stable with daily afternoon showers around 4 pm, but otherwise, lovely warm sunny days. There tends to be a continuous breeze (sometimes windy) during this time, but that can be an advantage that allows you to cool down on land. This season’s visibility can be affected, dropping from the typical 20 - 30 meters to 10 meters or less on bad days. Plenty of marine life still exists, and it is still manta season in some areas.
What about diving Maldives for marine sightings?
This is where knowing your stuff becomes really important. There is nothing worse than arriving in the Maldives, a possible once-in-a-lifetime holiday, to be told that you are in the wrong area at the wrong time for manta or whale shark season.
The manta rays are around in the Maldives all year, but they migrate from the eastside, where they spend June to November, to the westside, where they congregate between December and April.
Whale sharks do not occur everywhere; there are certain areas in the Maldives where you are more likely to see them and certain outer reefs where they cruise around, but there are also many areas where they only get sighted once a year if that! The best season for sharks is between January and March, and if you want to see larger sharks, then the island of Fuvamulah is your destination.
So, do your research carefully before scuba diving Maldives, and when in doubt, contact the dive center and ask for an honest response.
Ensure a smooth, hassle-free diving vacation
The following points will help you plan and enjoy a nice, relaxed, and smooth vacation in the Maldives:
1. Choose the right DiveAssure Dive and Travel planto cover the cost of your vacation. Delays, flight cancellations, or the need to rebook can cause you to lose a large sum of your vacation costs. With the right dive and travel plan, not only are you covered for the typical travel incidents, but you are also covered for diving accidents and receive additional diver benefits, such as lost diving days or gear.
2. Entry made easy. The Maldives offers all tourist visas upon arrival, so there is no need to prepare for your arrival beforehand. Be aware there is a strict no alcohol, no pork, and no religious items import policy which you should stick to as there is a luggage check upon arrival.
3. Keep hydrated, cover up, or stay out of the sun between dives when possible. Did you know that overexposure to the sun and dehydration are the most significant contributors to decompression sickness?
4. Buying medicine: If you have access to a local island, you can buy medicine at comparable prices to Europe or the States. Remember that local islands will have limited stock, and if you stay at a resort, the price for medicine could be double or even triple. If liveaboard diving, stock up on any medication you might need as you may not be near any island to buy medicine during your trip. Many liveaboards have their own stock of certain items, but this will be limited.
5. In case of emergency: If you have to see a doctor or even go to a hospital, remember to have proof of your diving insurance with you; otherwise, you will need to present a credit card or a lot of cash. You usually won’t be treated without a substantial down payment, not even in an emergency. Therefore, having the right Dive&Travel or DiveSafe diving accident insurance coverage that pays directly to the medical service providers will save you a lot of trouble!
Final Maldives diving tips and tricks
Don’t underestimate the sun:Get sun protection. We recommend wearing protective clothing instead of sunscreen as it is safer for yourself and the environment. For sunscreen, make sure to purchase a reef-safe option and to apply in accordance with the instructions as well as wait the recommended time before entering and possibly polluting the water.
Luggage hacks:Gone are the days when divers could take their dive luggage additionally for free! Luckily in the Maldives, you don’t need many clothes. It is very warm, and you will spend most of your time in or around the sea wearing swimwear. Take the largest possible hand luggage option and use this for your clothes to free up your check-in bag for all your dive gear!
Dive gear:If you have your own dive gear, you may be tempted to bring everything. If you have enough luggage allowance, why not? If you struggle for luggage space, prioritize. We recommend using at least your own regulator, mask, snorkel, and fins. A 3mm wetsuit is enough for most, with a comfortable 28/29°C water temperature. Many even dive in just swimwear!
Technical diving:To date, technical diving is not permitted in the Maldives; therefore, you don’t need additional tech gear. There is also a fixed maximum depth limit of 30 meters on all dives the Maldivian government sets.
Are you ready to plan your Maldivian diving vacation now? Let SSI’s MyDiveGuide help you find the best dive spots in the Maldives. Also, don’t forget to purchase your DiveAssure diving accident or dive and travel planwhen booking to ensure you are covered for your trip.