How to Scuba Dive in the Maldives - Best Sites for Scuba Diving in the Maldives

 Tipped to be one of the world's premier scuba diving destinations, the Maldives is a dream come true for divers and snorkellers around the globe. Blessed with sunny skies and excellent visibility for engaging in the sport, what makes diving in the Maldives a real treat for the senses is the rich marine heritage of the paradise archipelago. Teeming with colorful fish species, shipwrecks, and coves, here are some of the not-to-miss highlights of a diving tour in the Maldives.

 1. Find a Strategic Base

Those who wish to experience the best dive sites in the Maldives should first and foremost find a strategic base from among the countless Maldives all-inclusive resorts in the country. Whether you choose the OBLU Nature Helengeli or any similar resort hub, it is crucial to look into how many dive sites are within close proximity to the property. Although the house reefs of nearly every Maldivian island afford diving possibilities, they cannot compare to some of the top dive sites in the island nation that are ranked among the finest in the globe. This is why staying close to several dive sites can prove advantageous to tourists heading to the Maldives specifically for a diving holiday.

2. Banana Reef

Scuba Diving in Banana Reef, Maldives | Image via Wikimedia Commons

Occupying pride of place on the North Male Atoll, Banana Reef is among the most popular dive sites in the Maldives for several reasons. Lined with overhangs, exquisite coral reefs, and submerged caves, Banana Reef is also an excellent location for spotting some of the biggest fish in the Indian Ocean. The best thing about Banana Reef is that it's a dive site that's suitable for divers of all experience levels including beginners. The reef's exterior is only 5m in-depth, but as one ventures further, it reaches depths as low as 35m. In addition to Napoleons and Jacks, sharks, groupers, and Moray eels are frequently spotted in this area.

3. Maaya Thila

As a site that constantly makes it to the Top 10 lists when it comes to world-class diving rankings, Maaya Thila is a location that enjoys enviable geographical attributes. The reef, which extends across an area of 80m in-depth and a whopping 252m in width, is about 6m deep. Nearly every diver who ventures beneath the waves at Maaya Thila is likely to spot white-tip reef sharks as it is one of the best locations for spotting the elusive creatures among other species including guitar sharks and grey reef sharks. A special feature or inhabitant of this reef is the giant frogfish that can grow up to be 11 inches long. Barracudas, manta rays, and turtles are also known to inhabit this part of the archipelago.

4. Hammerhead Point

As its name suggests, Hammerhead Point is arguably the top locale to spot hammerhead sharks traveling in large schools. This dive site is strictly for experienced divers due to the inherent features of the reef, which makes it difficult to navigate for novices. The currents are another challenge divers must face in this area of the ocean, which is best explored in the wee hours of the morning when the sharks are also likely to be hanging about.

5. Bathala Thila

Bathala Thila is no ordinary reef in the Maldives as it is, in fact, an underwater island that has been submerged over the course of history. Located at the heart of Ari Atoll, the currents in this reef also make it a more appropriate site for seasoned divers. Sea hares, nudibranchs, and giant trevallies are just some of the inhabitants of this reef, which is also occupied by slugs, shrimp, and flatworms.


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