Scuba Diving Holidays in the Maldives

Widely regarded as one of the world's most fascinating scuba diving destinations with hundreds of unique diving sites for enthusiastic scuba divers to explore; The Maldives islands and atolls offer a myriad of possibilities for amazing scuba diving holidays. There are so many dive sites to explore that even divers who live here full-time never get to see all the underwater marvels of the Maldives, so those visiting these magical islands hungry for varied scuba diving experiences, will never be disappointed.

The Maldives Islands have some outstandingly beautiful coral reefs, but its the abundance and colourfulness of fish life that can be found throughout the atolls that sets these blessed island apart from other scuba diving destinations in the world. And it is due to the myriad channels and passages between the atolls, that the currents sweep and play throughout the island chain so that nutrients for colourful species are always on the move. This accounts for the vast numbers of fish enjoying the passing feast and divers can expect to spot Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, snappers, barracudas, jacks and sweetlips in every site where the water flows.

In the channels there are caves, caverns and overhangs to explore, all teeming with soft corals, and there is a riot of colourful sponges, invertebrates and gorgonian fans all profiting from the nutrient-rich water. There are also plenty of cleaning stations where cleaning wrasses and shrimps service the larger marine species. Inside the atoll lagoons one can often find pinnacles of rock vaulting up almost to the surface. These are known locally as 'Thilas' and are often bejewelled with sessile life forms. These formations bring water up from the ocean floor against their walls, feeding the sponges and soft corals that cling to its sides as well as creating an environment that supports a plethora of crustaceans and schools of resident fish.

Slightly removed away from the reefs, divers are likely to encounter the pelagics that frequent the Maldives, including manta rays and eagle rays and a variety of sharks including the mighty whale shark. Wherever you look there is likely to be something of interest going on and for many it is in the shallows where the best of the action takes place. Here the clear water, brightly illuminated by the sun's rays and playing host to great numbers of fish, provides an ideal environment both for photographers and scuba divers alike.

For scuba diving there are two distinct seasons in the Maldives, the North East Monsoon which runs from December through to April during the Maldivian summer and the South West Monsoon which rums from May to December and during which the focus is shifted to diving on the western side of the atolls. Both seasons offer equally amazing and different diving opportunities. On both seasons water temperatures remain fairly consistent and warm at a temperature of around 25⁰ - 28⁰ degrees centigrade.

The North East Monsoon is characterised by drier conditions giving excellent visibility on the eastern sides of the atolls with the current being typically faster at the start of the monsoon and decreasing in strength as the season progresses. Visibility on the eastern sides of the atolls is excellent during this season while western diving sites lose quality of visibility. Divers are more likely to encounter Manta Rays and Whale Sharks on this side of the atolls during this period.

During the South Western Monsoon, where dive sites in the west Maldives experience the most wonderfully clear visibility and slightly cooler water temperatures, thus attracting many of the shark species closer to the surface. Along the two Equinox months of May and November, which mark the transition of the Monsoon, currents can be changeable and there is a higher chance of less predictable surface and in water conditions, with confused currents and changing visibility. It must be noted, however, that recent years have shown less predictability in the timing of the change of seasons. It is therefore always worth the gamble to travel during these less expensive months if high season in the Maldives is out of your pocket's reach.