The Maldives is made up of nearly 1,200 islands spread out over a large area. There is excellent diving to be had in most parts areas but it is important to choose the area and the island that works best for you. Here are some of our ideas.
Where to Go Diving in the Maldives
Where to go in Maldives
Northern Atolls
Choose the right season and this is the place for mantas and whale sharks.
Southern Atolls
Venture south to uncharted territories and you are in for a treat.
Central Atolls
The islands, hotels and diving of the central atolls are all first-class.
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 destinations
Luxury Hotels in Maldives
Showing 1 - 3 of 22 hotels
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W Retreat and Spa
As if choosing where to stay in the Maldives wasn't hard enough, along comes the W Retreat & Spa.
Anantara Kihavah
Located in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, on the doorstep of the UNESCO Marine Biosphere Reserve Hanifaru Bay, Anantara Kihavah is an exquisite base...
Baros
A small coral island encircled by a living house-reef, boutique hotel Baros Maldives’ two marine centres mean scuba adventures are guaranteed,...
Cheval Blanc Randheli
The Maldives has its fair share of luxurious hotels, but Cheval Blanc Randheli is arguably the most elegant. Designed by world-renowned architect...
Constance Halaveli
The Constance Halaveli Resort in the Maldives has villas either on stilts over a beautiful lagoon or on the pristine beach.
Gili Lankanfushi
Only 20 minutes away from Malé on the private island of Lankanfushi, the intimate coral island is characterised by powder fine beaches dissolving...
Huvafen Fushi
Less than half an hour by speedboat from Malé International Airport, set on a powder white island protected by one of the Maldives’ best house...
Park Hyatt Hadahaa
At least 10km away from any other inhabited island, sitting on an untouched atoll, surrounded by one of the most beautiful reefs you will find...
One&Only Reethi Rah
Located 40 minutes from Malé, One&Only Reethi Rah is one of the largest, most luxurious islands in the North Male Atoll.
Soneva Fushi
Set in the remote Baa Atoll, Soneva Fushi, offers a Robinson Crusoe-style escape. The epitome of barefoot luxury, adhere to a ‘no news, no...
Six Senses Laamu
Hidden deep in the Indian Ocean, a breezy domestic from Malé followed by a short boat ride brings you to Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in...
Velaa Private Island
Guests are first greeted to Velaa Private Island with a spectacular aerial view of the turtle-shaped island (“Velaa” means turtle in the...
Constance Moofushi
Constance Moofushi is located in one of the archipelago’s finest dive spots, the South Ari Atoll, where guests can spot baby reef sharks just...
COMO Maalifushi
Located in the remote south-western Thaa Atoll, Maalifushi is the second luxurious Maldives hideaway from the COMO hotel group.
LUX* Maldives
Located on the postcard-perfect island of Dhidhoofinolhu in the South Ari Atoll, LUX* Maldives is a luxurious escape full of surprises. From...
Soneva Jani
Surrounded by the azure waters of the Edufaaru lagoon, on the beautiful tropical island of Medhufaru, is Soneva Jani - the brand’s newest resort....
Scubaspa Ying and Yang
Luxurious liveaboards Scubaspa Ying, and sister vessel Yang, cruise the idyllic lagoons and atolls of the Maldives, giving divers access to some...
Milaidhoo Island
Tucked away in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, sits Milaidhoo private island resort. With an idyllic setting and fantastic diving this...
OBLU Helengeli
Voted the second best dive resort in the world by Dive Magazine in 2017, OBLU Helengeli has certainly proved its worth in the diving stakes,...
Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
Reached by a 40-minute seaplane from the Maldivian capital of Malé, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru is a remote island paradise at the forefront...
Four Seasons Kuda Huraa
Experience luxury and impeccable service with excellent diving at the Four Seasons Kuda Huraa that occupies a private coral island in the Central...
Angsana Ihuru
Angsana Ihuru, meaning ‘old palm trees’, is Banyan Tree’s funky eco-friendly little sister, home to pristine coral reefs in just about...
Showing 1 - 3 of 22 hotels
Load moreKey Facts & Useful Links
Language: Divehi; Dhivehi; Maldivian;
Currency: Rufiyaa
Visa: Not required for stays under 30 nights
Religion: Muslim
Food & Drink: Fish, fish and more fish
Time difference:
GMT +6 hrs
Best months to visit: December to April
Flight from London:
10:15 hrs
The World’s Best Big Life Diving
From colossal whales and the ocean's gentle giants - whale sharks - to mass frenzies of pelagics in the deep, there's nothing more humbling than being dwarfed by creatures thrice your size. Yet, despite their monumental presence, seeing the ocean's larger animals is notoriously tricky. For…
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World's Best Easy Diving Destinations
No two dives are ever the same. Some dives may involve strong currents and limited visibility, while others offer swimming-pool-like conditions. Some destinations are prone to wind and big waves, while others have seas as still as glass. What may be a perfect dive one day might present…
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World’s Best Freediving Destinations in the World
While we regularly hop aboard our soapbox in support of diving, there's something liberating about leaving the oxygen tank behind and exploring the deep through freediving. Plus, learning to freedive makes you a better diver - you'll become more relaxed, minimise your air consumption and…
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Top Five Dive Destinations with Childcare
Free divers will know the buddy system and its 'one up, one down' philosophy. But do they also know that it has been borrowed and modified for travelling parents who don't want to miss out on deep sea action. With one parent diving down into the peaceful deep blue, the other stays on land on…
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The World’s Best Water Visibility for Diving
For the vast majority of us, excluding base jumpers and astronauts, diving is the closest we'll get to flying. Beyond the sheer magic of floating weightless, there are the stellar views - from thriving coral reefs to caves and wrecks, multi-coloured marine life to silvery pelagics of the…
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