Scuba diving and snorkelling, in the Maldives: one of the best spots for beginners
The Maldives is paradise for many reasons: it has an incredible seabed, perfect weather for enjoying the sea almost all year round, and because you can go scuba diving and snorkelling around stunning coral reefs, alongside whale sharks and manta rays. If you’ve never been scuba diving or snorkelling before, the archipelago is also one of the top places in the world to do these sports for the first time, and to enjoy unique experiences if you’re a beginner.
- The Maldives: scuba diving heaven
- Best dive sites in the Maldives
- Snorkelling and diving at the Barceló resort
- Advice and warnings
- Hotels in the Maldives
The Maldives: scuba diving heaven
Many who come to the Maldives are looking for that classic image of white sand, palm trees and virtually invisible crystal-clear waters. However, there’s something even more impressive about the Maldives: what you see beneath the waves. The coral reefs and animals that live around the archipelago make it a fantastic place to put on your diving mask, whether you’re an expert or not.
In fact, according to National Geographic, the islands are one of the five best places in the world for scuba diving and snorkelling beginners, so when you travel to this archipelago in the Indian Ocean, don’t forget your mask and tube!
Scuba diving is one of the main reasons tourists visit the Maldives because its waters are the natural habitat of coral, sharks (including the whale and hammerhead shark) and giant manta rays, some of the world’s most spectacular underwater sights.
There is a wealth of sea life to admire around the incredible coral reefs so any dive, at any time of day, is guaranteed to amaze.
If you’re only interested in scuba diving, you can book through the resorts, or even take a diving cruise that takes you to the best sites in the archipelago for the most impressive dives.
Best dive sites in the Maldives
Experts swear that anywhere in the Maldives is incredible for both diving and snorkelling. However, some atolls are particularly famous for the sheer quantity of animals you can spot in the ocean depths.
Ari Atoll is one of the most famous. It has deep channels that are loved by manta rays, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and other species, but take care, because there are strong currents here and it’s a good idea to dive with an instructor.
Rashdoo, in the north of this atoll, is another magical place. Ocean currents and tides meet here, making it popular with sea eels, tuna shoals and the famous manta rays who come to these waters to feed. There are also several caves in the area and even shipwrecks, an added attraction when exploring the incredible seabed landscapes.
Ukulhas is close by and is famous for its thilas, mountains of coral teeming with sea life. This is where one of the best-known night dives in the Maldives takes place, the Maya Thila.
Baa Atoll is in the south of Ari Atoll and is a UNESCO protected reserve where you’ll spot glass fish and batfish alongside whale sharks and manta rays.
Malé Atoll is another popular site. The north has far more sea life but the currents are stronger than in the south, which has deep channels that make diving a real adventure in changing conditions.
Cocoa Thila is in South Malé Atoll and is one of the best dive sites where you’ll see spotted eagle rays, whitetip sharks and grey reef sharks, among other species.
Less crowded places are Gnaviyani Atoll and Fuvahmulah, which is smaller but has become a refuge for many marine species because its reefs are less frequented by divers. Here you can spot bigeye thresher, tiger, silvertip, whitetip, and grey reef sharks.
Snorkelling and diving at the Barceló resort
Hotel Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives has a big diving centre with everything its guests could need for incredible dives in idyllic places with the highest safety standards.
It’s also close to the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA), a remarkable zone where you can swim with whale sharks almost all year round. It’s packed with sea life and the sights you’ll see underwater are truly amazing. Outside the water, the resort has beaches lapped by perfectly clear waters, while sunsets here are a spectacular light show.
Advice and warnings
Going snorkelling or scuba diving in the Maldives isn’t dangerous, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a few precautions to prevent an unfortunate incident.
You should never go out alone but, if it can’t be avoided, don’t go too far from the shore because there are areas with strong currents. Wearing a life vest is recommended.
Before you start, work out which way the current is moving and check whether there are any areas nearby where snorkelling or diving isn’t permitted. It’s also sensible to check the weather forecast before heading into the water, especially in the rainy season when you can get caught in a sudden downpour.
If you’re going snorkelling, wear a UV T-shirt or lots of suncream, especially on your back, to prevent sunburn. And remember not to touch the flora or fauna that you see on your dive. Animals and coral can be photographed but not touched.
Hotels in the Maldives
One of the best accommodation options for fans of snorkelling and scuba diving is the Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives because it’s in an outstanding location in South Ari Atoll. Its turquoise waters are close to the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA); this area is popular with whale sharks and they can be spotted all year round.
The resort has 100 villas, including 63 Beach Villas, 30 Water Villas and 7 Beach Suites with private plunge pools. The hotel also has two large infinity pools with incredible sunset views, a Pool Bar called Breeze, plus a Beach Club and Lagoon Pool Bar called Magical.
And there are even more places to enjoy wonderful food at the hotel because it has three restaurants, a snack bar and three bars. Sea Salt is the main, buffet-style restaurant, while Aqua is one of the most popular and fuses Mediterranean cuisine with local fish and seafood.
The Barceló Whale Lagoon Maldives runs activities including yoga, pilates, and water sports, and guests can also relax on its white sand beaches with turquoise waters or spoil themselves at the Mandara spa with a personalised treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best places to scuba dive and snorkel in the Maldives?
It’s hard to find somewhere in the Maldives where the snorkelling and diving isn’t incredible, but Ari Atoll is one of the best scuba diving sites.
Which is the best time of year to spot sea life in the Maldives?
January to April are the best months for diving because it’s the dry season, but August to November is the period with the greatest chance of seeing whale sharks and manta rays.
Which marine species can you spot when you go scuba diving and snorkelling in the Maldives?
The Maldives has a wealth of sea life but two of the animals that divers hope to glimpse most are the whale shark and manta ray.
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