Best Dive Spots in Maldives – The perfect place to go underwater

You are likely to spot Manta Rays, Barracuda, Whale Shark or Napoleon Wrasses when you go down underwater in one of the thirty dive sites around the Ari Atoll. What's great about diving here is that there is no particular season to spot big fish you are likely to come face to face with big schools of fish all year round. The stunning coral formation and the vibrant shades of colour along with the wide variety of sea life has made Ari Atoll one of the best sites in the world. Once you dive here it is almost impossible to benchmark it with another diving site since your expectations pretty much skyrockets.

Vaavu Atoll is another popular choice for divers and liveaboard cruises in the Maldives. There are two main seasons in the island, the dry northeast Monsoon and the wet Southwest Monsoon. Since the weather patterns make a big impact on the currents it affects the conditions of the dive sites in certain areas. Around the Vaavu Atoll the grey reef sharks and hammerhead sharks can be spotted in the shallow ends. The fast flowing currents, the caves, overhangs, and swim-throughs filled with yellow and black coral bushes at the deeper ends makes Vaavu Atoll another delightful diving spot in the Maldives.

Consisting of several exciting dive spots, North Male is one of the oldest sites in the Maldives. The Banana Reef, Lankan Manta Point, Aquarium, Maldive Victory, Blue Point, Bodu Giri are some of the popular dive sites around the atoll. There is current on the water here, which helps divers to spiral up and around. Magnificent rocks, numerous caves, steep drop offs and steep overhangs are to be expected are all part of the diving experience here. Divers can look forward to seeing sharks, manta rays, black snappers, groupers, large morays, squirrelfish, and Maldivian grub fish.

If you plan to do a lot of underwater exploration during your trip check into one of the many diving resorts Maldives has to offer, where you will be able to get the best diving experience with the help of PADI certified diving professionals. Anantara Veli Maldives Resort organizes phenomenal diving safaris that beginners and experienced divers can enjoy. In the Lhaviyani Atoll there is a strong current hence it is also called the 'Kuredu Express'. You can dive in to the depth of the Indian Ocean and watch sharks, eagle rays, tuna, stingrays and barracuda swim by with ease. Mantas are also a common occupant here so be ready for some underwater photography.

Myriad of colourful fish backed by dramatic scenery the South Male Atoll another diver's paradise. You can mingle with green turtles on top of the reef where divers go to take a break. The schools of red bass and the walls covered with soft corals are something to look forwards to.