Many of us at Tropic Breeze are avid divers. Our founder, Jo, is straight into the water at any chance she gets! We therefore understand the value of a memorable dive, and the wonders of seeing so much colourful sea life up close. But where are some of the best places to dive? The Great Barrier Reef in Australia? Or the Red Sea in Egypt? At Tropic Breeze we believe some of the best diving spots in the world can be found in the Maldives.
The Maldives is a beautiful tropical archipelago that is 99% water and only 1% land mass. This means that the majority of the area is dedicated to marine conservation parks, allowing the natural sea life to flourish and grow. There are so many wonderful things to see under the sea – what might you spot on your Maldivian dives?
Whale sharks are a big draw for divers to the Maldives. These enormous sharks are the largest fish species in the animal kingdom, but feed primarily on shrimp and plankton and are safe to swim with. The endangered hawksbill and green turtles are beautiful creatures that after years of being alongside humans, have become friendly to us and may swim up to you! Lovers of Disney will enjoy searching for clownfish and there is no sight like a squadron of manta rays gliding gracefully across the waves.
There are two key seasons for diving, with the first being between December to April. This is the Maldivian summer, and thanks to drier conditions and unique currents, makes for clearer and calmer waters. The second is May to November which is the cooler season and attracts sea life better climatised to colder seas, such as whale sharks. Generally, if you avoid the monsoon season which makes for rougher waters and poor visibility, the Maldives is prime for diving all year round with consistent water temperatures between 26 and 30 degrees.
So, whether you’re a veteran diver searching for your next adventure, or a rookie looking for your first session, we have a fantastic range of resorts in the Maldives to help you get you started.
Dhawa Ihuru is a tropical paradise situated on one of the most picturesque islands in the Indian Ocean. Blessed with palm-fringed beaches, crystal clear waters and one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, there is no better place for a bit of indulgence and an exciting dive. Dhawa Ihuru boasts a vibrant and well-preserved house reef with its own shipwreck which is home to a host of interesting sea life. The resort has a PADI 5-star dive centre offering courses for both beginners and advanced divers.
Filitheyo Island Resort is a quiet, authentic Maldivian resort situated in the remote North Nilandhe Atoll, boasting an excellent range of facilities as well as attentive staff. The Werner Lau Diving Centre team is ready to assist at Filitheyo Island Resort and scuba diving in Faafu Atoll is hard to beat. The house reef is in excellent health, and you can explore more than 40 pristine reefs, thilas, channels, wrecks and caves bursting with vibrant marine life. Another popular highlight is the UV night dive on the house reef – an incredible way of seeing the remarkable underwater world.
JA Manafaru is a luxurious resort that sits at the most northerly tip of the Maldives in the pristine lagoon fringed Haa Alif Atoll. The atoll is surrounded by coral reefs yet has a lush green interior that is ripe for exploring. This island resort recreates the style and charm of traditional Maldivian hospitality offering unparalleled luxury to its guests. Thanks to the protected status of Haa Alif Atoll, it is mostly unexplored and makes for a fantastic diving adventure. Comprehensive diving courses are offered for all diving levels from shallow house reef dives to more advanced dives deeper into the atoll.
Mirihi Island Resort is an exceptional property situated on an idyllic island with just 7 thatched beach villas and 31 attractive water villas. With so few rooms and such an excellent reputation for high quality, good food and relaxation, Mirihi is the perfect spot for some indulgent peace and quiet. Diving is a major attraction at Mirihi. There are 50 different dive sites conveniently located within an hour’s boat ride, where you can see everything from manta rays to whale sharks to beautiful coral gardens. The Ocean-Pro team will take you out diving, thanks to a range of courses that cover beginners all the way to rescue divers.
To book your diving holiday, call the Indian Ocean travel experts at Tropic Breeze on 01752 880 880 or email info@tropicbreeze.co.uk
“Scuba diving is an escape for me. I have always been fascinated by marine life and once I had tried diving for the first time, there was no going back – I have loved diving ever since. The sense of adventure is unlike any other, but for me it is all about being able to see some of the most beautiful creatures in their natural habitats. There is a real sense of community amongst divers and I have had so many incredible experiences exploring this underwater world.” – Tania Pitsakis, Contracts
Author Anna WilliamsCategories Maldives, News