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Dive Locations

3 recommended locations. Please contact us for further suggestions.

Central Atolls

The central region comprises Malé and Ari Atolls, Felidhoo, Faafu and the smaller Rasdhoo Atoll. It is the most popular area for both dive resorts and liveaboards, with excellent shore diving from house reefs and large pelagics on drift dives. Find Out More about Central Atolls

  • Ideal for viewing: whale shark, grey reef shark, Napoleon wrasse, spotted eagle ray, reef manta ray
  • Excellent for: Liveaboard diving, Resort based diving, Group diving, Shark diving, Whale shark, Manta ray, Learn to dive, Shore diving, Snorkelling, Underwater photography

Northern Atolls

This remote region receives fewer visitors than the rest of the Maldives and stretches from Baa Atoll up to Haa Alifu and Dhallu and includes Lhaviyani and Noonu atolls, as well as Hanifaru Bay, where exceptional numbers of mantas and whale sharks aggregate annually. Find Out More about Northern Atolls

  • Ideal for viewing: green turtle, hawksbill turtle, Napoleon wrasse, grey reef shark, reef manta ray
  • Excellent for: Liveaboard diving, Resort based diving, Shore diving, Snorkelling

Southern Atolls

This region has few resorts, and consequently is best explored by liveaboard. Diving itineraries focus on the pristine and unexplored atolls of Meemu, Thaa, Laamu and in season, Huvadhoo Atoll, which is one of the Maldives' premier shark diving locations. Find Out More about Southern Atolls

  • Ideal for viewing: scalloped hammerhead shark, reef manta ray, grey reef shark, Napoleon wrasse, tiger shark
  • Excellent for: Liveaboard diving, Resort based diving, Luxury diving, Shark diving

View trips to these locations

Dive trips

The stunning and luxurious islands of the Maldives offer exceptional diving opportunities which can be explored whilst staying at a resort, island hopping, or on a liveaboard diving trip. The Maldives are home to world-class dive locations suitable for those wanting to learn, and for well-seasoned divers.
15 recommended trips. Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.

Visit the Maldives

This trip idea is a great option for those looking to get away and unwind. The tropical paradise of North Malé Atoll is easily accessible and offers diving for all abilities, with coral gardens, wrecks and plenty of marine life. Find Out More about Visit the Maldives

  • When to go: Jan-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 9 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £2,495 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

Best of Maldives Liveaboard

The Best of Maldives itineraries are a firm favourite amongst divers of all abilities, with a choice of vessels and durations. Highlights include manta cleaning stations, whale shark encounters and mesmerising drift dives. Find Out More about Best of Maldives Liveaboard

  • When to go: Jan-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 9 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £2,595 pp
  • Trip type: Liveaboard Group trip

Ari Atoll Diving Experience

Divers return again and again to the popular dive sites of the South Ari Atoll, Maldives, for photo opportunities of healthy reefs, prolific marine life and large pelagic encounters including turtles, sharks and rays. Find Out More about Ari Atoll Diving Experience

  • When to go: Jan-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 9 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £3,095 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

Discover Maldives & Sri Lanka

Designed to ensure a captivating mix of underwater highlights and enchanting topside experiences, discover the Maldives and Sri Lanka on a twin-centre holiday like no other, available throughout the year. Find Out More about Discover Maldives & Sri Lanka

  • When to go: Jan-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 16 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £4,095 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

Baa & Raa Atolls Liveaboard

Visit these legendary Maldivian atolls by liveaboard between August and October, when they become a playground for feeding manta rays and whale sharks, putting on a spectacular show for visitors at Hanifaru Bay. Find Out More about Baa & Raa Atolls Liveaboard

  • When to go: Aug-Oct
  • Duration inc. flights: 9 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £3,195 pp
  • Trip type: Liveaboard trip

Maldives Dive Safari

Explore world-class dive sites from the comfort of a liveaboard, followed by a few days relaxation in a resort on North Malé Atoll. Highlights include manta ray and whale shark encounters in the central atolls. Find Out More about Maldives Dive Safari

  • When to go: Jan-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 13 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £2,845 pp
  • Trip type: Liveaboard trip

Southern Maldives Liveaboard

Escape the crowds to the southern Atolls of the Maldives for an exceptional liveaboard experience with an air of discovery and plenty of shark encounters, including grey reef, hammerhead and silky. Find Out More about Southern Maldives Liveaboard

  • When to go: Jan-Mar
  • Duration inc. flights: 10 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £3,795 pp
  • Trip type: Liveaboard trip

Dive Baa Atoll

Dive away from the crowds in the Baa Atoll, home to only a handful of resorts. The diversity of marine life is incredible and sightings of manta rays and whale sharks are common in season. Find Out More about Dive Baa Atoll

  • When to go: May-Oct
  • Duration inc. flights: 10 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £2,995 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

Learn to Dive Maldives

A world-class destination, the Maldives offer the perfect conditions to learn to dive, with crystal clear blue waters, protected lagoons and prolific reef life. Choose from a number of resorts, guesthouses and dive centres. Find Out More about Learn to Dive Maldives

  • When to go: Jan-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 9 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £2,345 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

BIG in the Maldives

Renowned for big animal encounters, the South Ari Atoll is one of the most popular locations for divers to visit throughout the year and boasts some of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives. Find Out More about BIG in the Maldives

  • When to go: Oct-Mar
  • Duration inc. flights: 9 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £3,345 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

Untouched Maldives

Dive local on the Laamu Atoll - a unique holiday experience with world-class diving opportunities. Discover an untouched area of the Maldives and learn about this secret paradise from the locals. Find Out More about Untouched Maldives

  • When to go: Jan-Dec
  • Duration inc. flights: 10 days
  • Price inc. flights: From £2,545 pp
  • Trip type: Tailor-made trip idea

When to go

The Maldives weather is influenced by two monsoons. Marine life is excellent throughout the year.

Seasons

  • Southwest monsoon

    May to Nov: During the southwest season, resorts with access to sites on the west side of the atolls offer the most spectacular diving
  • Northeast monsoon

    Dec to Apr: The northeast monsoon brings fast currents, superb visibility and prolific marine life on the eastern side of the atolls

Wildlife events

  • Dec to Apr:

    Manta rays commonly found on west side of atolls
     

  • May to Nov:

    Manta rays commonly found on east side of atolls

  • Aug to Sep:

    Whale sharks and manta rays gather around the Baa Atoll

  • Mar to Apr:

    Currents abate – the best time for a leisurely dive

Dive Resorts

Liveaboards

Availability

Search for your ideal departure below, and then enquire to confirm availability and book.