The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka and India, is one of only 13 countries in the world that straddles the equator. The Maldives is also the smallest country in Asia.

Malé, the capital of the Maldives, has a population of over 250,000. This makes Malé one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with a population density of nearly 20,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. In total, over 40% of the total population of the Maldives lives here.

The Maldives consists of a total of 1,192 coral and sandy islands grouped in a “double chain” spread over 26 atolls. The country and the atolls stretch from north to south, nearly 900 km long and about 130 kilometers from east to west. Only 0,3% of the country’s total area is dry land, making the Maldives one of the most widely spread countries in the world.

The Maldives is also the lowest-lying country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2,4 meters above sea level. The average elevation does not even reach 1,5 meters above sea level.
The Maldives is today one of the true dream destinations of many divers. It is also one of the most popular destinations for diving trips.

How much does a diving trip to the Maldives cost?

A diving trip to the Maldives normally costs from around 35 – 40,000 SEK with accommodation at simpler resorts or good guesthouses. These are prices for a diving trip that includes flights, accommodation, transfers and diving.
For liveaboards and many resorts, the price may be slightly higher or considerably more.
It is incredibly difficult to answer such a general question about how much a diving trip costs, it has to be more info as many factors influence, e.g. accommodation type and choice of liveaboard, etc.andaPrices and times vary greatly as it depends on how much, where and when you wish to dive and travel and for how long. It is best to contact us at Scuba Travel and ask for a free proposal for more details and a more accurate price for your diving trip to the Maldives.

When is the best time to go to the Maldives?

The Maldives is accessible all year round, although many people generally agree that the best time to visit the Maldives is from November to April when the weather is good, especially for diving with clear visibility and calmer seas. However, if your priority is to see manta rays and whale sharks, the rainy season from May to November is better, although they are found in the Maldives all year round. Higher concentrations of plankton in the water attract these large animals during these months of the year, especially to Hanifaru Bay, a bay that has attracted a lot of interest in recent years. The normally rainiest months of July to September are also the best time to experience this place for a few days each month. There is good diving all year round in the Maldives 

o Dry season, December – April/May
o Rainy season, May/June – November

Note that since it is a tropical monsoon climate, it can rain at any time of the year, every day. However, the amount of rain is generally greater and lasts a couple or a few hours more per day on average during the rainy season.

What can I see when diving in the Maldives?

The most popular marine species in the Maldives that most people want to see are whale sharks, manta rays and sharks. Diving can sometimes take place in rough waters out at sea and visibility can vary, as can the marine life. Some locations can feel quite deserted, while others are teeming with marine life and a multitude of species of coral, invertebrates and fish. Large animals are often seen during the right season and sometimes it is easiest to snorkel to get close to them.

Animals and nature

The Maldives is a distinct island nation with small islands, which does not leave much room for fauna on land. Below the surface, the marine life is even richer with coral reefs that provide habitat for a large number of fish species. Manta rays, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, reef sharks, eagle rays and various sea turtles are also often seen.
On land, you can see several species of birds on some islands and if you take a walk around the resort, you can probably find geckos and various insects.

Where is the best diving in the Maldives?

Where is the best diving in the Maldives is probably very subjective and also depends on the time of year and some luck. Some areas are known for manta rays, whale sharks or tiger sharks. Some places have an intense marine life of larger pelagic species while others offer beautiful reefs and lots of fish. Depending on what you want to experience and what time of year, different places may be more suitable. The southern parts of the Maldives are probably where you have the greatest chance of experiencing many different large animals but it is mainly during a short period of the year that there is real action normally. Other times of the year other places may be better options.

Is there liveaboarding in the Maldives?

Yes, there are plenty of liveaboards in the Maldives. What sets them apart is often theandard and size. A new trend is big and quite fancy, and follows the development of many resorts where they have also focused a lot on luxury and high standard there too in recent years.

If you want to focus on your diving and get to the best dive sites where boats from the resorts don't go, we recommend choosing a liveaboard. It's a completely different experience and a bit of a specialty for the Maldives. You usually do two or three dives per day for a week and live on board the boat. Of course, you have full board on board and can enjoy and relax.

Read more about our options. Of course, you can combine your diving with liveaboard with any number of days at a hotel or dive resort. Contact us with your wishes on tel: 0301-22100 – Departures

Great species richness

The Maldives is known for its rich marine biodiversity. There are over 2,000 species of fish and a diverse marine life. Large pelagic species such as whale sharks, manta rays and dolphins, along with many marine families represented. For example, pufferfish and trunkfish, fusiliers, jackfish, dragonfish, sweetlips, reef sharks, groupers, snappers, bannerfish, batfish, parrotfish, napoleonfish and other wrasses, eagle rays, anthias, scorpionfish. There are various species of crustaceans, nudibranchs, octopus, angelfish, butterflyfish, squirrelfish, soldierfish, glassfish, surgeonfish, unicornfish, triggerfish and barracuda, and many many more. It is common to see different species of sea turtles, moray eels and several different species of rays and reef sharks.

For those of you who don't dive

If you don't dive in the Maldives, you can still enjoy many activities, including snorkeling, dolphin-watching boat trips or snorkeling with whale sharks. Water sports such as paddleboarding or SUP and kayaking. You can visit local islands to experience culture and food, enjoy spa and wellness treatments. Or simply relax on the beautiful beaches or by the pool. At some resorts, you can also try cooking classes, participate in island entertainment or explore local markets for souvenirs. A few also have activities such as tennis, mini golf, volleyball or badminton.