Joanna James
The Maldives has been incredibly popular for both snorkelling and scuba diving, let's look at some important things to go over before you do.
The biggest challenge or issue that you'll face while diving in the Maldives are its currents. These currents move around all the islands and can be extremely strong. During some dives, divers even use hooks to hold on to the bottom to avoid being carried away. Diving during strong currents poses another threat which is the lack of oxygen, as dives such as this make you struggle and use up a lot more of the available oxygen from your tank. It's always better to heed the advice of your guide and read up on the currents in the surrounding area beforehand.
The gorgeous blue waters of the Maldives generally ranges between 26 – 30 degrees Celsius, all year round, giving it a bath water like feel. Since this is a comfortable temperature, wetsuits aren't really needed in Maldives's water. However, wetsuits will offer protection from scratches and nicks from most underwater stones and corals. With the temperature and clarity in the water you also witness and amazing visibility of 30 to 40 meters, this may come down to 15 or 20 depending on the existing density of plankton in the water as well. However, waters with a high density of plankton attract giant whale sharks and manta rays which make for some truly spectacular sights. Diving in Maldives is offered all year round with the best season being between January and April, where you have the best visibility and excellent current conditions. The wet season during May to August with its rain and wind can dramatically decrease visibility.
In comparison to various other places in Asia, diving in the Maldives can be more expensive than the set standards. You'll find dives in and around Asia for around $25 to $35 per session, however, expect to pay around $50 per session in the Maldives. Booking dive packages rather than single outings can prove beneficial as well since you'll be able to get some discounts. Another important point to note is that you will not get your dive equipment from the dive shops as you have to rest these out for about $15 or $20 per day. Dive computers are also mandatory for all divers in the Maldives and if you do not own one, you will have to rent that as well. For divers who book around 2 to 3 dives a day, one night dive is sometimes offered. A time period of around 1 week would be optimal to explore the Ari Atoll, and with two weeks, you could comfortably explore dives sites in both the north and the south. This will give you a big opportunity to witness creatures like manta rays and whale sharks. If you're looking for a great place to stay while you're in the Maldives, there are plenty on offer, such as Kuramathi Maldives for instance.
Marine life in the Maldives is both breathtaking and plentiful, you'll witness some absolutely magnificent creatures like eagle rays, sharks, tuna, manta ray, parrot fish, sweet lips. Moray eels, snappers, groupers and even turtles. These creatures can be found in abundance and offer you a completely unforgettable experience.
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