Great Places To Dive - The Maldives

Scattered like rings across the Indian Ocean, the 26 atolls that comprise the Maldives are a diver's mecca. Diving in the Maldives is colourful and varied, encompassing channels, pinnacles and walls, the sites here have lyrical names that match their beauty. Reefs thrive with vibrant soft corals, hard corals, sponges and anemones.

Prolific fish life ranges from funny little blennies, gentle turtles, graceful manta rays, lean looking sharks to massive, friendly Napoleon fish.

The Maldives are particularly renowned for the large pelagics that visit the area, particularly sharks and rays. Always keep an eye out into the blue, away from the reef into the thermoclines below you - you never know what action you may drift pass!

Some of the marine life you may encounter could include Hammerheads, grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, eagle rays, manta rays, turtles, frogfish, triggerfish, surgeonfish, jacks, trevallies, snappers, napoleon wrasse, barracudas... the list is almost endless!

Diving may be in shallow reef gardens filled with fish, or round thilas (submerged reefs) in strong currents. The channels between reefs also make good drift dives. On drifts you will need to pay attention to your depth.

There are a few wrecks to break up the reef diving, although these are dived more for the fish life found on them rather than for the wrecks themselves.

Water temperatures in the Maldives do not fluctuate much, and range from 25°C in the winter months to 28°C in the summer.

It is the monsoon period that has the greatest effect on diving conditions. June and July are considered the rainy season. As a general rule, the best time for diving runs from January to May and again from August to November although at this time visibility is typically reduced due to more plankton in the water, but gives a greater chance to encounter large plankton feeders such as manta rays and whale sharks.

All divers are required to have a computer or automatic dive watch these are available to hire locally from dive centres if you do not own one.

The Maldives is not a destination for lots of nightlife - some resorts organize entertainment during the week for their guests, but what you can expect is stunning beaches, great weather, friendly people, relaxation and superb diving.

Resort Islands in Maldives are self sufficient and have their own power, water, telecommunication, restaurants and transportation.

The Maldives provide an ideal location to refresh, unwind and totally relax.Enjoy the shallow lagoons formed by encircling coral reefs that hold back the turquoise water of the Indian Ocean.

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