Maldives

Officially known as the Republic of Maldives or Maldive Islands, the independent nation of islands is located in the north-central Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The Maldives consists of 1,190 coral islands grouped in a double chain of twenty-seven atolls situated in the Indian Ocean. Most atolls consist of a large, ring-shaped coral reef supporting numerous small islands.

Everything, all the time! There really is no bad time of year to visit the Maldives, since they're so spread out. You're likely to see common dolphins; turtles (hawksbill and loggerheads); manta and eagle rays; and whitetip reef sharks every month of the year. Hammerhead sharks are most likely to be seen between December and April, with some sightings possible between May and November. August-November is considered the best time of year to see manta rays and whale sharks.

There are 3 main routes that liveaboards take:

- Central Male

- Best of Northern from Male

- Southern Hemisphere from Male

Additionally, you can fly to Fuvahmulah (FVH) in the south and stay on the island to dive with tigers, hammerheads, threshers, and more sharks than you can imagine! The best overall time to dive there is usually between December to May.

While diving in the Maldives, you can encounter:

• Coral Reefs: The Maldives boasts colorful and healthy coral reefs with a variety of hard and soft corals. These reefs are teeming with smaller fish species and provide a backdrop for your dives.
• Pelagic Species: The Maldives is famous for encounters with large pelagic species. You may spot majestic manta rays, reef sharks (such as gray reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks), eagle rays, and various species of sea turtles. Whale sharks can also be sighted in certain areas of the Maldives, although their presence is less predictable.
• Schools of Fish: You can witness large schools of fish swirling around the reefs, including fusiliers, snappers, surgeonfish, and jacks. These schools of fish create mesmerizing displays of movement and color.
• Macro Life: The Maldives also offers opportunities for macro diving enthusiasts. You may spot critters such as nudibranchs, shrimp, pipefish, seahorses, and different species of colorful reef fish.

The Maldives is a year-round diving destination, but the best time to visit can depend on the specific region and the marine life you wish to encounter. Generally, the dry season, from November to April, offers calm seas and good visibility. The wet season, from May to October, can bring occasional rain, stronger currents, and less predictable visibility. However, the wet season also presents unique diving opportunities and the chance to witness special marine phenomena, such as manta ray feeding aggregations.

The recommended time for diving in the Maldives is from December to May, during the northeast monsoon. In these months, when the winds blow from the northeast, the sky is clear and the seas are calm. As a result, there's very good visibility on the eastern side; about 20 to 30m.

U.S. travelers will have to make a connection in Europe, Asia, or the Middle East before heading to Velana International Airport (MLE), which sits on the island of Hulhulé, in the North Malé Atoll. From there, it's just a quick taxi ride to the capital island of Malé. The best possible route to reach the Maldives from the US is to take a flight via Doha, Istanbul, Moscow, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi.

Your liveaboard tour operator will pick you up and transfer directly to the vessel if it is in the Male port. If you're visiting the northern or southernmost islands, you will need to take a hopper, seaplane, or ferry.

It is recommended to have logged at least 40 dives and have your advanced certification before taking a liveaboard, as the diving is typically >20m depth and currents can be quite strong. Nitrox certification is also available to use nitrox onboard during the week. This is recommended for maximizing your bottom time with the wildlife and to minimize DCS risks. Dive gear is available to rent.