Aside from being the definition of paradise, the Maldives is without a doubt one of the world's premier scuba diving destinations. Situated in the warm, crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean, it offers unparalleled underwater adventures for both novice and experienced divers alike. Fringing its atolls are stunning white sand beaches and abundant coral reefs, as well as dramatic walls and pinnacles patrolled by a diverse array of pelagic creatures.
From nurse sharks and manta rays to awe-inspiring whale sharks, the Maldives is a veritable treasure trove for marine life enthusiasts. The dive sites themselves are equally captivating, ranging from thrilling drift dives through narrow channels to serene underwater gardens home to a dazzling array of tropical fish. Even the house reefs (just steps away from many Maldives resorts) offer snorkellers and beginner divers the chance to glimpse this underwater paradise.
It's no wonder the Maldives has long been a magnet for scuba aficionados wanting to experience the best our oceans have to offer. And with scuba centres and PADI-certified operators at many of the archipelago’s resorts, you don’t have to go far to venture underwater. Due to the fragility of the Maldives’ ecosystems, many of these tourism operators understand the importance of championing sustainability and have implemented eco-friendly practices into their experiences. As a result, eco-tourism is alive and well in the archipelago.
In this sustainable guide to diving in the Maldives, discover why this Indian Ocean gem should be your next dive vacation destination. In addition to highlighting the best dive sites to visit in the Maldives, we’ve included recommendations for eco-friendly dive resorts in each of the atolls to help you plan your trip.
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Why choose the Maldives for a sustainable dive vacation?
Scattered across the Indian Ocean, this island nation is renowned for its remarkable marine life, with a staggering array of creatures that range from tiny nudibranches to majestic whale sharks. With incredible dive sites that include plunging walls and sheltered coral lagoons, the Maldives presents a wealth of options for divers of all levels to explore.
What truly sets the Maldives apart is the sheer scale and variety of the pelagic species that congregate in these nutrient-rich currents. Divers can expect to encounter a diverse array of sharks, including reef sharks, hammerheads and majestic tiger sharks. Additionally, you may be lucky enough to see enormous moray eels, schools of jacks and sea turtles, plus manta rays and even sailfish.
While the remote location of the atolls may present some logistical challenges, this only serves to heighten the sense of adventure and exclusivity. It has also encouraged many Maldives resorts to implement sustainable practices into their construction and operations in order to minimise their impact on the fragile surroundings. Aside from being powered by renewable energies and eliminating plastic waste, many of the resorts directly inject funds into coral reef and marine life conservation projects. As a result, an eco-friendly dive vacation in the Maldives is well within reach and you don’t even have to compromise on a luxury stay.
Sustainable guide to diving the Maldives
Best dive sites in the Maldives
Rainbow Reef, North Male Atoll
Powerful, consistent currents sweep through this lush coral kingdom, nourishing the abundant growth of soft coral bushes that dot the seafloor. Open-mouthed moray eels lurk within the crevices while graceful schools of eagle rays glide effortlessly through the azure waters. The reef itself is a riot of color, with countless species of smaller reef fish - parrotfish, clownfish, angelfish - weaving between the coral heads in a never-ending aquatic spectacle. Put simply, Rainbow Reef is an underwater photographer's dream and one of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives.
Eco-friendly dive resort in North Male Atoll
Home to one of the first eco dive centres in the Maldives, Baros is a luxury overwater bungalow resort near Rainbow Reef. It participates in several globally recognised conservation programs and offers Project Aware specialty courses that teach divers about issues affecting local marine life. Definitely one of the top eco-friendly dive resorts in the Maldives.
“Our stay at Baros resort surpassed all expectations.” - Athanasios (read more reviews here)
Embudu Express, South Male Atoll
Located off the coast of Embudu Island, this thrilling dive site offers adventurous scuba enthusiasts exhilarating drift dives through its dynamic channel. Descending to depths of 24 to 30 metres (80 to 100 feet), divers are propelled through the channel and into a serene inner lagoon. Along the way, you’ll be treated to a dazzling display that includes schools of eagle rays, tuna, grey reef sharks and the occasional hammerhead. Halfway through the passage, there is a small but impressive pinnacle, its surface blanketed in a vibrant display of soft corals.
Eco-friendly dive resort in South Male Atoll
Boasting the largest floating solar park in the Maldives, this luxury resort near Embudu Island takes sustainability seriously. Aside from its stunning overwater bungalows, the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa is home to a PADI 5-Star dive centre and a spa offering wellness treatments rooted in ancient Indian practices.
“Amazing and unforgettable!” - Mohsin (read more reviews here)
Eco-friendly dive vacation in the Maldives
Kandooma Thila, South Male Atoll
This massive, teardrop-shaped pinnacle rises from the seafloor to just 10 metres (30 feet) below the surface, with a bottom depth of around 30 metres (100 feet). This mid-channel position subjects the site to powerful currents that can be challenging to navigate, requiring intermediate to advanced skills. However, it is precisely these conditions that attract such an incredible array of marine life, from playful sea turtles and graceful eagle rays to nurse sharks and even tiger sharks. In the nooks and crannies that dot the site, tiny banded boxer shrimp and larger lobsters find refuge, meaning there’s always something unique to discover.
Eco-friendly dive resort in South Male Atoll
Through its partnership with Parley for the Oceans, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives has made a strong commitment to protecting its surrounding reef. Aside from being one of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives (the overwater villas here are simply breathtaking), it offers daily dives to sites in South Male Atoll, such as Kandooma Thila.
"Once in a lifetime holiday destination.” - Greg (read more reviews here)
Karedu Island, Lhaviyani Atoll
Surrounding Kuredu Island are two of the Northern Atolls’ most exceptional dive sites, which offer thrilling underwater adventures for scuba enthusiasts of all skill levels. The first, Kuredu Express, is renowned for its intense drift diving experience, with divers swept along a sandy channel while graceful reef sharks, eagle rays and jacks drift bay. Just a short boat ride away lies the Shipyard, home to two captivating shipwrecks. Drifting among the wrecks, divers are likely to encounter schools of shimmering anthias, inquisitive gobies, graceful angelfish and the occasional Napoleon wrasse. The resident stingrays that patrol the sandy seabed add an extra element of excitement.
Eco-friendly dive resort in Lhaviyani Atoll
Interconnected by a network of elevated wooden walkways, the gorgeous villas at this sustainable Maldives resort feature open-air living spaces and expansive private decks with infinity pools. A 2% sustainability levy is included in all stays and supports the Soneva Foundation, with a focus on offsetting the resort’s carbon emissions and funding local community initiatives.
"Heaven on earth!” - Marketa (read more reviews here)
Sustainable dive holiday in the Maldives
Hanifaru Bay (snorkelling only), Baa Atoll
The Maldives is renowned for its remarkable manta rays, with these majestic creatures a common sight for divers exploring the crystal-clear waters. However, one particular location stands out as a manta ray mecca - Hanifaru Bay. Situated within a UNESCO-recognised Biosphere Reserve, Hanifaru Bay draws vast numbers of these graceful filter feeders between June and November due to a plankton bloom of epic proportions. It’s an awe-inspiring spectacle, with dozens of mantas seen gliding effortlessly through the water as they gorge on the abundance. To protect the delicate ecosystem and the mantas themselves, access to Hanifaru Bay is strictly regulated, with only five boats permitted in the bay at a time and only snorkelling permitted.
Eco-friendly dive resort in Baa Atoll
With impressive green credentials, Soneva Fushi features a handful of thatched-roof villas constructed from recycled wood and bamboo. It is a 100% carbon-neutral Maldives resort and partners with local NGOs to protect the archipelago’s marine biodiversity. Soneva's multi-lingual dive instructors offer daily trips to explore the exceptional nearby sites, including snorkelling with mantas in Hanifaru Bay.
“Best time of my life!” - Faisal (read more reviews here)
Fotteyo Kandu, Vaavu Atoll
On the eastern edge of Vaavu Atoll, Fotteyo Kandu is a renowned dive site that has captivated the hearts of seasoned divers visiting the Maldives. This deep channel is an underwater playground, with dramatic caverns, overhanging rock formations and thrilling swim-throughs to explore. All are adorned with flamboyant sponges and gracefully swaying fans, making this one of the most stunning dive sites in the Maldives. The powerful currents attract a diverse array of large pelagic species, as well as colourful nudibranchs and well-camouflaged leaf scorpionfish. The site's exceptional biodiversity extends even further, with the occasional sighting of dolphins and hammerhead sharks.
Eco-friendly dive resort in Vaavu Atoll
Awarded the prestigious Travelife Gold Certification for its commitment to sustainability, this Maldives resort has taken a holistic approach to reducing its environmental impact. It’s the ideal base for diving Vaavu Atoll, with a range of affordable (for the Maldives) beach bungalows and overwater villas to choose from.
“Out of the this world.” - Robert (read more reviews here)
Sustainable dive vacation in the Maldives
Maaya Thila, North Ari Atoll
Maaya Thila is undoubtedly one of the most famous dive sites in the Maldives, with this underwater pinnacle (thila) dramatically rising up from the seafloor. While the top of the pinnacle sits at a relatively shallow depth of just 7 metres (25 feet), making it an accessible site for beginners, the base plunges down to 35 metres (115 feet). The pinnacle itself is teeming with a diversity of resident species, from tiny, colourful nudibranchs and crustaceans to larger predators like moray eels. But the real stars of the show are the grey reef sharks that are frequently spotted patrolling the base of the thila. This is definitely one of the best places in the Maldives to observe them, particularly during night dives.
Eco-friendly dive resort in North Ari Atoll
Surrounded by some of the most colourful reefs in the Maldives, this luxury dive resort features your choice of beach or overwater villas, all of which radiate tropical chic. The resort has implemented solar power and rainwater harvesting to reduce its environmental impact and it has eliminated single-use plastics. Clean-up dives are regularly conducted by their in-house team, which offers both PADI and SSI certifications.
“A trip to heaven on Earth.” - Morij (read more reviews here)
Fuvahmulah, Gnaviyani Atoll
Fuvahmulah is a southern isle that’s home to several exceptional dive sites, mostly centered around the presence of sharks. Its location near the equator creates remarkably stable water temperatures, which in turn support a diverse and thriving population of marine predators. The crown jewel of these sites is known as Tiger Zoo, after the tiger sharks that frequent the area. Additionally, the waters surrounding Fuvahmulah offer occasional sightings of hammerhead sharks and oceanic manta rays, making it a great place to expand your checklist of elusive pelagic species.
Eco-friendly dive resort in Gnaviyani Atolls
Boasting a beachfront setting on Addu Atoll’s Herathera Island, this budget-friendly Maldives dive resort is an ideal base for exploring the Southern Atolls (there are around 25 dive sites nearby). Canareef draws on solar power for its energy and champions a range of sustainability practices, including a dedicated Environment Week each year. When it comes to accommodation, you can choose from the resort’s sunrise or sunset-facing villas.
“Amazing villas and customer service!” - Halima (read more reviews here)
Sustainable guide to diving the Maldives
Best time to dive in the Maldives
While you can dive the Maldives year-round, the best time to experience the full splendour of the archipelago’s underwater realm is during the northeast monsoon season (December to May). At this time, the winds blow in from the northeast, resulting in calm, glassy seas and exceptional visibility, particularly on the eastern side of the archipelago.
The northeast monsoon also ushers in a unique set of marine phenomena that draw divers from around the globe. As the currents flow from east to west through the underwater channels, they carry with them a rich bounty of plankton that attracts manta rays to the western side of the atolls. Meanwhile, at the eastern channel entrances, divers have the chance to spot a variety of shark species taking advantage of the nutrient-rich waters.
In contrast, the southwest monsoon, which lasts from June through November, reverses the direction of the currents, shifting the ideal diving conditions to the western side of the islands. Though visibility may be exceptional here during this time, the seas can become quite choppy due to the stronger winds, with swells reaching up to two metres at the height of the rainy season. That being said, this is also when Hanifaru Bay comes alive, offering unparalleled opportunities to observe the whale sharks and manta rays that congregate in this plankton-rich area.
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