Discover over 1000 Species of Fish & Underwater Creatures
The warm seas of the Maldives have high visibility throughout the year, with water clear enough to see the passing fish as far as fifty metres away at times. Add to that the marvellous formation of over 3000 coral reefs and the free flowing tides of the monsoons. The result of these perfect conditions has created one of the world’s richest diving coral reef areas.
Over a thousand species of fish and other underwater creatures inhabit the Maldivian waters. The monsoon tides of the Indian Ocean create a collection of small marine creatures as well as microscopic plant cells. This in turn creates a hub for all kinds of underwater species who gather in these waters lured by the abundance of food. In the Maldives you will get to see everything. From tiny shrimp and groups of colourful swimmers to the magnificent mantas and sharks, a careful eye will leave you feeling fascinated.
The best thing is that you do not need to be a professional diver to enjoy the Maldives. All resorts and safari boats give you basic to advanced training using well-monitored diving facilities of a high standard. Even the most reluctant diver can enjoy the beauty of the Maldivian underwater life on a drift dive with the guidance of experienced dive instructors. A dive in a house reef is equally rewarding, all you need to do is swim a few minutes from shore. Due to the countless number of reefs found among the 26 atolls in the Maldives, all you need to do is travel 15 to 60 minutes by boat to get to a different dive spot every day.
Diving in the Maldives usually take place along a faru (reef), a thila (a submerged aquarium like reef, on a channel where the atoll meets the ocean), or on a wreck. Night diving is particularly beautiful, as is a macro dive that allows you to see tiny, interesting and usually disregarded creatures up close and personal.
The Maldives is a world-renowned destination for diving, offering exceptional visibility, vibrant coral reefs, and incredible megafauna encounters. The experience is often characterized by exhilarating channel dives, colorful thilas (underwater pinnacles), and thriving house reefs accessible directly from the resorts.
Here is a breakdown of the best places to dive and the resorts famed for their spectacular house reefs:
Best Diving Locations (Atolls)
The “best” area often depends on what marine life you are hoping to see:
| Atoll / Area | Key Features & Signature Dives | Best Time for Specific Encounters |
| South Ari Atoll | Famous for year-round sightings of Whale Sharks. Features many thilas and channels for action-packed diving. | Whale Sharks are generally seen year-round on the western side (May-Dec) and eastern side (Jan-Apr). |
| Baa Atoll | A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known as one of the best places in the world to see Manta Rays. | Manta Ray Aggregations at Hanifaru Bay (for snorkeling) are best from May to November (monsoon season). |
| North Ari Atoll | Home to many famous thilas like Maaya Thila and Fish Head (Mushimasmingali Thila), renowned for Grey Reef Sharks, White-tip Reef Sharks, and an abundance of reef fish. | Consistent large pelagic sightings year-round. |
| North Male Atoll | Features famous sites like Banana Reef (one of the oldest protected sites) and several wrecks. Good for quick access from the international airport. | Good general reef diving year-round. |
| Southern Atolls (e.g., Huvadhoo, Laamu) | More remote and less developed, often featuring healthier, less-bleached coral. Known for long, deep channel dives and abundant shark populations. | Excellent for pristine reefs and channel diving. |
Hotels with the Best House Reefs
A “house reef” is the coral reef encircling or immediately adjacent to the resort island, allowing guests to step directly from the beach or their water villa to snorkel or dive without a boat transfer.
These resorts are consistently named among the best for house reef quality and accessibility:
| Resort | Atoll | House Reef Highlights |
| Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa | Huvadhoo Atoll | Consistently ranked among the very best. Completely surrounded by a healthy, vibrant house reef easily accessible just 10-15 meters from the beach/villas. Known for turtles, eagle rays, and reef sharks. |
| Mirihi Island Resort | South Ari Atoll | Accessible house reef spanning 6km, complete with a small, deliberately scuttled wreck. Easy access and known for good marine diversity. |
| Baros Maldives | North Male Atoll | Features a huge, accessible house reef and a dedicated Marine Centre. Known for its coral garden and excellent marine biodiversity, including Blacktip Reef Sharks. |
| Angsana Ihuru / Dhawa Ihuru | North Male Atoll | Widely acclaimed for a fantastic house reef that is very close to the shore. Angsana’s sister resort, Dhawa Ihuru, is right next door and shares access to the famous Rannamaari Wreck. |
| Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon | North Ari Atoll | A dive-centric resort with a vibrant house reef that features a 750-meter wall, caves, and its own small wreck, offering great diving opportunities right from the island. |
| Anantara Kihavah Maldives | Baa Atoll | Located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, its enchanting house reef hosts hundreds of fish species and offers encounters with sea turtles and juvenile reef sharks. |
| Kandolhu Maldives | North Ari Atoll | A small, luxury resort fully encircled by a stunning and easily accessible house reef, highly praised for its health and variety of marine life. |
Note on House Reefs:
While these resorts are highly rated, coral health can vary due to environmental factors like bleaching events. Resorts with strong marine biology teams (like Six Senses Laamu, mentioned for its conservation initiatives) often have the best-protected and recovering house reefs.
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Diving in the Maldives