© iStock/kurmyshov Diving in the Maldives The atolls that make up the Maldives have a land area approximately 298 km2 but are spread over approximately 90,000 km2. The country is so famous for these atolls that the English word ‘atoll’, was actually derived from the Maldivian word ‘atholhu’. The Maldives also has the lowest elevation of any country in the world which contributes to its hot and humid climate. An island nation located off the southwest coast of India in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is made up of 26 different ring-shaped reefs called, atolls. These 26 atolls are located above a massive underwater mountain range and are comprised of more than 1,100 coral islands and sandbanks. The Maldives also boasts clear, warm waters, blue lagoons, extensive coral reefs, white sand beaches, and an incredible variety of marine life, some of which you will not find anywhere else on earth. For these reasons, the Maldives has become one of the best and most sought after diving destinations in the world. Featured Training Centers Instructor Training CenterSub Oceanic @ Le Méridien MaldivesMALDIVES BLUEFORCE ONEDiving Centers Werner Lau BathalaDivePoint RannalhiDivePoint MeedhupparuSun Siyam Diving IrufushiSUN SIYAM DIVING OLHUVELISun Siyam Diving IruveliOcean Warriors Institute This data is provided from the logbook information in the MySSI app Featured places to go in the Maldives © AqualungLaamu AtollThe Laamu Atoll is relatively close to the Central Atolls region and has weaker currents and better visibility than its southern neighborsLearn more © iStock/mahosNorthern AtollsThe Northern Atolls’ best diving locations include Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, and Lhaviyani atolls.Learn more © iStock/Anna-OmCentral AtollsThe Central Atolls are the most well known and populated region of the Maldives.Learn more © iStock/IngalvanovaSouthern AtollsThe Southern Atolls Region is made up of Laamu Atoll, the Northern and Southern Huvadhu Atoll, Fuvahmulah Atoll and, Addu Atoll.Learn more © AqualungNorthern Huvadhu AtollThe Huvadhu Atoll is broken up into a Northern and Southern region. The northern region is also known as Gaafu Alifu.Learn more © MaresSouthern Huvadhu AtollThe southern region of the Huvadhu Atoll is also known as Gaafu Dhaalu.Learn more © MaresFuvahmulahFor all the Southern Atoll region offers, the Fuvahmulah Atoll is the place that brings it all together.Learn more © MaresAddu AtollThis southernmost Maldives atoll actually takes the country past the equator and into the Southern Hemisphere.Learn more © MaresNorth West Haa Alif AtollThe North West Haa Alif atoll offers some great dive sites for beginners and less experienced divers.Learn more © MaresSouth East Haa Alif AtollAs you go further south in the Haa Alif Atoll you will come across a great shipwreck to explore that is not that deep.Learn more © ScubaproHaa Dhaalu AtollThe Haa Dhaalu Atoll offers a great dive area with wide channels and shallower drop offs and also beautiful underwater caves.Learn more © ScubaproHaa Dhaalu MakunudhooThe Makundhoo island is the westernmost island in the Maldives and populated by humans and filled with wonderful dive sites.Learn more © ScubaproShaviyani AtollIf you are looking for a spot in the Maldives that is isolated, and relatively unknown and unexplored, then the Shaviyani Atoll is the area for you.Learn more © AqualungNoonu AtollNoonu Atoll is known for its huge population of spinner dolphins as well as having the the largest concentration swarming fish in the Maldives.Learn more © AqualungRaa AtollRaa Atoll is a very popular dive spot in the Northern Atolls due to its pristine thilas.Learn more © MaresLhaviyani AtollThe Lhaviyani Atoll features more than 50 dive sites including the Aquarium and Madimaru Kandu.Learn more © MaresBaa AtollBaa Atoll has over 1,200 types of reef fish and over 250 species of coral, the most in all of the Indian OceanLearn more © MaresVaavuu AtollVaavu is the easternmost atoll of the Maldives and has diving areas for all levels of divers.Learn more © MaresMeemu AtollMulee Island is generally considered the best diving location in the Meemu Atoll.Learn more © MaresThaa AtollThaa atoll has great coral gardens to explore with the Caribbean Garden and the Gorgonian Garden being the most famous ones.Learn more © ScubaproThoddooThoddoo is an island that is part of the Alif Alif Atoll in the Central Maldives.Learn more © ScubaproRasdhoo AtollRasdhoo offers the most beautiful beaches in the Maldives and you have the unique chance to swim with hammerhead sharks.Learn more © ScubaproSouth Ari AtollThe sun island in South Ari atoll has the biggest sharks in Maldives where you can spot the massive, docile whale sharks.Learn more © AqualungNorth Ari AtollConsidered the number one scuba spot in the Maldives, the northern section of the Ari atoll offers two very notable diving regions.Learn more © AqualungNorth Nilandhe AtollThe most recognizable channel in the Northern Nilandhe Atoll is Filitheyo Thandu, another protected marine area.Learn more © MaresSouthern Nilandhe AtollA great spot for beginners to start their diving journey, the Southern Nilandhe Atoll is wider, shallower and has weaker currents than other areas of Maldives.Learn more © MaresNorthern North MaléNorth Malé offers some interesting dive sites like the Lady Christine shipwreck on the northwest side of Gaafaru.Learn more © MaresNorthern South MaléOn the northern side of the South Male area is the Vadhoo Caves where you can explore the great assortment of marine life like unicornfish or turtles.Learn more © MaresSouthern North MaléNorth Male has two well-known dive spots: Manta Point and the Victory Wreck.Learn more © MaresSouthern South MaléLike its more northern counterpart, the southern piece of the South Male dive area has fast current too and is for advanced and experienced divers.Learn more Dive Sites in the Maldives Travel Information for Maldives Power Plug Type C, D, G, J, K, LAirports MLECurrency MVRLanguage enElectricity 230 V / 50 HzTimezone UTC+05:00Network Provider Ooredo/Wataniya Discover the Wonders of the Deep with SSI's Blog Join us on an exciting journey of discovery and learn more about exhilarating diving adventures, dedicated conservation initiatives, and innovative educational opportunities that will help you illuminate the extraordinary beauty of the underwater world. Let's explore the underwater world together and delve into the hidden wonders beneath the gentle waves. The descriptions provided here are intended as general information and personal experiences related to specific dive sites and locations and should not be construed as definitive advice or recommendations. Before diving, please confirm that diving is permitted at your chosen location, and comply with all relevant local laws, regulations, and posted signage. The responsibility for verifying the legality of the dive and assessing any associated risks rests entirely with you.