Diving has always been a great adventure for tourists. They love to explore and visit different areas of the world. Here, Lets Dive Here has found the best scuba diving in Maldives.
Maldives is known for its best Islands, beautiful beaches, Luxurious resorts, comfortable areas, and Safe environment. Maldives is considered a “Tropical Paradise” on Earth owing to its own natural Islands surrounded by its own lagoon. Almost 99.5% of the area is covered by the Indian Ocean.
Let’s check out the best spectacular dive sites in Maldives
1- Maaya Thila
One of the best dive sites in the Maldives is Maaya Thila. It is located north of 8km/5mi from Ukulhas Island. Maaya Thila is listed among the top 10 dive sites in the Maldives.
This site is accessible for all divers’ beginners and experts may dive all over the year in daylight or night but this Thila has a mesmerizing view at night so it is also considered the best dive place at night owing to, A large group of fish can be found at the upper level of the sea during sunset and especially at night when divers open the torch for diving and get attracts by having nudibranchs, mysterious stonefish, scorpionfish, butterflyfish, batfish, and clownfish. Moorish idols, triggerfish, parrotfish, turtles, moray eels, octopi Whitetip sharks, grey reef sharks, and stingrays are spotted more often after sunset.
As per the Scuba Dive instructor, it is requested to dive in pairs not in groups so the divers can swim more freely without damaging this beautiful reef. Apart from all of them, Maaya Thila usually has more crowds than expected. This is also an alarming situation for this reef. Make sure before going to this reef have the proper information from the tourist guide.
2- Nassimo Thila
Nassimo Thila is at the southern side of North Male Atoll known as Paradise rocks and the most protected reef area. A beautiful coral formation and sea fan can be found along the north end of the Thila. It has several pinnacles, where the main fish live. Due to its strong current, it’s an excellent dive for experienced divers.
There is a big Napoleon wrasse running around the reef that is diver-friendly. A reef is commonly home to big-eye trevallies, sharks, and tunas. Catch a glimpse of snapper schooling and soldier fish in schools. Among the countless species of fish in Nassimo Thila are grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, manta rays, fusiliers, jack fish, oriental sweetlips, squirrel fishes, fairy basslets, turtles, butterfly fish, and scorpionfish. Napoleons, turtles, barracudas, and schools of black snapper, or fusiliers are commonly found at a visibility of 9 meters deep.
3- Kandooma Thila
A Tear-drop pinnacle counting Kandooma Thila beautiful Island on the coast of south Male Atoll. This reef is a popular place to catch large schools of fish, snappers or jacks, eagle rays, white-tip sharks, green turtles, and gray reef sharks and uncountable species are discovered by divers.
As a side note, the main attraction of this site is the shark cleaning station!
Kandooma Island is not an easy dive site for beginners. It is recommended to have proper guidance before diving into this place
4- HP/ Rainbow Reef
Rainbow reef also known as HP Reef and Girifushi Thila has breathtaking sights for scuba divers. Rainbow reef name was set because of its own beauty of having different colors of rocks, fish, and a more protected area of Maldives Island. You can enjoy underwater creatures and have the experience of exciting dive sites.
There are gorgonians, sea fans, and sea whip corals aplenty on HP Reef, as well as brimming with small fish, eagle rays, barracudas, gray reef sharks, and dog-toothed tunas that frequent it frequently. Divers can observe corals and other underwater plants in abundance on each of the underwater structures
5- Cocoa Thila
Cocoa Thila Island is another appealing dive site in the middle of the Cocoa channel, This fringing reef is a hub of fusiliers, snappers, and big-eyed trevally, napoleon fish, surgeonfish, and black snappers beside this, Green turtles welcome you and make the coral more sightful for the visitors.
6- Alimantha Jetty
Alimatha jetty is a treasured dive site. The coral reef is also considered the home of nurse sharks, rays, and schools of giant trevallies. It is truly an excellent spot for underwater photography and night dives. On some occasions, sharks and rays meet together and give an eye-sight view to the divers. Divers must be careful and have the proper instruction before diving in order to avoid some mishaps.
7- Banana Reef
Study proves that Banana Reef is one of the oldest reefs in the Maldives. Containing beautiful caves, coral, and famous hangouts. Banana Reef is also populated by sharks, barracudas, and groupers. It is the perfect place for beginners, learners, and novice divers to learn how to dive with calm currents and great visibility.
Divers who are experts or experienced can also take advantage of this option as it gives them a chance to explore the underwater world in greater depth. It is a gallery of ornate caves, overhanging cliffs, soft corals, dramatic marine life, and a banana shape that can be seen from the air.
The banana name for this Reef was set due to the underwater curved edges of this coral reef.
8- Sun Island
Sun Island is one of the most visited dive sites in the Maldives. It is an open dive site for both snorkels and scuba divers no experience is required. The Crescent moon is the best time to see unforgettable marine creatures on Sun Island.
9- Manta Point
Divers can have one of the most unforgettable underwater experiences by diving or snorkeling with Manta Point. In the Maldives, seeing mantas is an incredible, almost otherworldly adventure that transforms a regular dive into an unforgettable experience.
You instantly fall in love with Mantas once you are up close and personal with the largest, most graceful, and most gentle creatures in the ocean. Symbolizing majesty, elegance, and freedom, sea devils are more than just fish.
Three cleaning stations are found on the dive site, where the mantas line up to use the cleaning services of the cleaner wrasse. Those who are fortunate enough are able to hover slightly below the cleaning station and watch the mantas return again and again! This dive site is mainly known for its manta rays, but it is also a hotbed of fishy activity. As this reef also acts as a huge cleaning station, many visitors check in to the area. Regular sightings include white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, hump head wrasse, barracuda, and hawksbill turtles. Also check in the cracks and crevices for lobster, moray eels, shrimp, octopus, and other cool critters hanging around.
10- Kuda Giri Wreck
Kuda Giri Wreck is located in the south Male Atoll of Maldives. It’s having a small wreck and a small pinnacle. It is a short dive site in the Maldives in 1994 A ship named Kuda Giri was sunk in this place later its name was set as Kuda Giri Wreck where you can find a school of gray sharks and various species of fish making it artificially beautiful.
11- The MC-Wreck
Maldive Victory wreck famous as MV victory wreck. It is an 83m long cargo ship that was sunk in 1981 at this place near North Male Atoll. Many divers dive to see the wreck parts of this ship while expert divers dive down and see the whole panorama.
12- Mushimas Thila
Scuba divers who love seeing sharks while diving are recommended to visit Mushimas Mingili Thila which is known as “Fish Head”. A group of sharks can be seen at this dive site. Experts are advised to visit this Thila. The instructor offered to dive in the “Fish Head” area which is around 80m wide.
13- Hammerhead-Point
This is the place where many hammerhead sharks can be seen. It is located at Rasdhoo Atoll. Hammerhead point is a kind of steep wall that’s going deep. Divers may figure out the grey Hammerhead shark’s very majestic creature by going deep into the blue sea. As you walk around the reef, you will also discover caves with plenty of interest and sleeping turtles, ghost pipefishes, leaf scorpionfish, and frogfish among the corals. Three wrecks have become life-sustaining havens.
14- Bathla Thila
Right around the corner of Bathla Island, there is Bathla Thila surrounded by white beaches and coral reefs. The top of the Thila is approximately 10 meters/32 feet. Apart from strange creatures living around Thila, you may also catch sight of barracuda, turtles, rays, Napoleon wrasse, and several varieties of sharks.
15- Hanifaru Bay
As per UNESCO, it’s the most protected marine area. The Maldives already has enough places to satisfy any tourist but if you have not selected Hanifaru Bay you are missing something very interesting. Hanifaru Bay has species of Manta rays and grey sharks which are spotted more often on the dive site. This is a mind-blowing scene that divers capture. On the other hand, There are strict rules and regulations set to protect and preserve this amazing diving place. Arriving in this place there are many resorts that need to have a license for their guests. A special rule is set so that tourists may not disturb Manta Rays and Grey sharks but enjoy watching them from aside.
16- Fotteyo Kandu
Fotteyo Kandu is a narrow channel within reach of Vaavu Atoll. It features swimming through the large hangouts and several photogenic caves. Fotteyo Kandu is also known as Paradise for photographers. Divers may find here, kaleidoscopic corals to groupers, reef sharks, eagle rays, triggerfish, and even the possibility of hammerheads.
17- Vadhoo House of Reef
Vadho dive place is famous for small caves, plus a bigger one with a swim-through tunnel It is home to many marine species, including sharks, eagle rays, giant trevallies, and barracudas. Much small tropical fish are hidden beneath beautiful gorgonians, corals, and sea fans.
18- Kuredu Express
The ever-changing current conditions and the varied topography of Kuredu Express make this dive site a favourite of many guests. This island is known for its shark population, which can be mind-blowing if the conditions are right, but Kuredu Express’ life goes far beyond sharks… schooling fish, eagle rays, sting rays, Napoleon, and tuna are among the many species that live here and, on rare occasions, even hammerhead sharks. Turtles, moray eels, and even leaf fish have been found here too.
19- Embudhoo Kandu
South Malé Atoll in the Maldives, 6km/3.7 minutes south of North Malé, is home to Embudhoo Kandu, a channel with a reef wall. Diving with sharks is a popular activity here. Divers can drop down to 30 m/98 ft on the south side of the wreck. Divers who enjoy underwater photography will appreciate the calm conditions of caves and caverns that shelter colorful fish. This shallow dive site provides drift diving opportunities through a narrow canyon at 15m/49ft.
20- Fesdu Island
Likewise other diving places in the Maldives. Fesdu Island is full of marine creatures, natural beauty makes this place sightful. A school of manta rays, Grey sharks,s and plankton are easily visible to the divers.
21- Miyaru Kandu
There are a number of caves, coral formations, and coral reefs to explore in Miyaru Kandu, a protected marine area. At this location, the main channel runs nearly 300 meters and is filled with marine life. In the southern part of the passage, Miyaru Kandu is surrounded by a prominent reef. Within the channel and its surroundings, a marine protected area has been declared.
There are also coral growth-covered coral rocks and formations. It is certainly an impressive sight to see one particular rock which rises a stunning 10 meters above the ocean floor. Furthermore, there is a cave approximately 30 meters away from the diving area which is an interesting feature. There is a lot of marine life in this area, so this is the place to see it.
22- Guuraidhoo Kandu
Aside from the MedhuFaru, it splits into two channels, Lohifushi Kandu and Guuraidhoo Kandu. The entire channels are marine protected areas. with many possibilities for divers, even those with less experience. There are numerous reef fish, larger pelagics near the entrance, and mantas when the current is running out.
23- Lohifush Corner
It is the most suitable place for all divers whether you are a beginner or an expert you can dive into this place. Losfushi has both soft and hard corals. During the session, you can figure out Turtles, Manta rays, Plankton, White-Tip sharks, and many other marine species.
24- Omandhoo South
If you want to see the fish village in the heart of Ari Atoll you can visit Omandhoo South. A nature-friendly dive place where many soft and hard different colors of carols are seen. There are many long-nose Hawkfish hiding beside the black corals. A diver can sometimes see napoleon wrasses, barracuda, eagle rays, and white tip reef sharks while looking out into the blue. Large schools of bannerfish, snappers, and fusiliers are found swarming above the reef top. Omadhoo is widely regarded as one of the true highlights of South Ari Atoll.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Maldives is the most visited place throughout this year around 1.3 Million tourists visited. It’s a well-known place for scuba divers though. If you have already visited these areas or planning to visit please write your review in the comment section and if any information is missing please, contact us and update us. Thank you for reading out and staying with us.