Scuba Diving | The Adventure Travel Site

5 Informative Facts That You Must Know About the Maldives

The Maldives is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, particularly among honeymooners. The island nation boasts a rich history, delicious cuisine, and a range of exciting activities.

The Maldives Is Located Close to the Equator

The Maldives is located quite close to the equator. And this means that sun rays will shine almost directly on you while you’re relaxing at your Maldives resort. So, make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin!

The Maldives Was Initially a Buddhist Nation

The Maldives was only converted to Islam in 1153 A.D. and today it stands as a proud Muslim nation. So, make sure that you leave any other religious texts, pork products, and alcoholic beverages at home when you’re about to head towards Kurumba Maldives or any other resort in the country for a splendid tropical vacation.

The Maldives Boasts Over 1000 Islands

The Maldives is formed out of 1,192 coral islands that are grouped in 26 atolls. These are peppered over the Indian Ocean over an area of roughly 90,000 square kilometres.

The Maldives’ Sand Is Smooth as Can Be

Usually, the beaches are made of sands that are made from quartz. However, the Maldives’ beaches contain sands that are extremely fine as they are coralline in origin. Coralline beaches are quite rare and represent less than five percent of the world’s beaches.

Unforgettable Scuba Diving in Bali

While Bali offers plenty of fun on the beach, don’t forget there’s much to discover beneath the waves too! Here’s more on scuba diving in this enchanting destination.

Dive Centres

Beginners or those looking to get an additional certification will find plenty of dive centres on the island; choose one that offers PADI and / or SSI training and certification. Ideally, be based by the coast with options including a hotel near Ngurah Rai Airport for travel enthusiasts like HARRIS Hotel Kuta Tuban Bali.

Best Time to Go

Scuba diving in Bali can be experienced year-round though generally, May to September, the dry season, is considered the best time; you can still enjoy this activity at other times when it doesn’t rain, while destinations like Pemuteran and Menjangan Island are popular places to visit the whole year through.

What to Expect

There’s plenty to encounter on your underwater adventures be it thriving coral reefs, fascinating marine species or even intriguing shipwrecks. Apart from a myriad of colourful tropical fish, you may also come across larger denizens of the deep including manta rays, sea turtles, various species of sharks and the elusive mola-mola or sunfish.

Diving Hotspots

There are diverse dive sites in Bali, each with something different to offer. On the east coast are popular spots at Tulamben and Amed where you will find shipwrecks, some dating to World War Two. Menjangan Island and Pemuteran on the north coast are also well-known for diving as are Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.

Exotic Wildlife In Maldives That Is Sure To Thrill Nature Lovers

Whales and dolphins, crocodiles and snakes, varieties of turtles, the bounty of fish of vibrant hues and the attractive feathered species make the Maldives rich in marine wildlife.

Colourful avifauna

Despite the small land area and isolation restricting the bird population of Maldives, between 160 to 180 species of sea or shorebirds do exist. Herons, seagulls, cranes and the national bird of the Maldives, water hens are seen in different varieties and colours.

Dolphins and whales

Varieties of dolphins and whales provide hours of great excursions for nature lovers as they patiently observe their antics. A bit further into the Indian Ocean, you can also see sperm whales, blue whales, etc.

Marine fish and the reef

Try diving or snorkelling to witness the underwater fantasy by a best Maldives resort. Thousands of fish teeming the coral reefs making a burst of colour giving one a surreal feeling, thus making you want to extend your stay at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon or any such property in the Maldives.

The unique turtles

Many varieties of turtles are seen thriving in the rich seawater off the archipelago. Measures are taken to see to the wellbeing of this endangered species. Securing from irresponsible human action, eggs protected in secure areas are notable 02 such actions. Watch the emotional scene of newly hatched baby turtles making their way slowly to water.

Shark Season in the Maldives – Dive on the Wild Side

Scuba diving in the Maldives is like entering into a whole new world, living under the ocean’s waves! With incredible corals, and a plethora of marine wildlife read on to find out more about how you can dive with sharks and live to tell the tale!

Diving Basics

The good news for novice divers is that a PADI license is not required! Resorts such as Anantara Veli Maldives Resort have in-house diving courses and instructors, which make your foray into the world of diving effortless! Follow the course for beginners and go giving in the private reefs to witness the splendours hidden under the waters.

What Can you Expect?

The beautiful fish you see from your gorgeous Maldives’ over water bungalow is the tip of the iceberg! Dive under the waters to be blown away by colourful shoals of fish, friendly sea turtles, and plenty of harmless sharks. The caves and the reefs will leave you in awe of the very diversity and beauty of the natural world.

Shark Spotting

If you’ve ever dreamt of diving amidst sharks, the best time to do this is between January and March. The Southern atolls are a hotbed for schools of reef sharks during this spell. Float amongst them, as they go about their day, completely undisturbed by your presence even though you’re undoubtedly having the adventure of a lifetime!

Scuba Diving in the Maldives – Under the Sea

The Maldives Islands are the perfect holiday destination for several reasons, of which scuba diving is one of the foremost! Read on to learn more about the incredible adventure which awaits you when you go scuba diving here!

Do You Need To Be A Swimmer?

The short answer is no! Better yet, you don’t even need a PADI Diver’s licence. However, you do need to dive with a registered diving instructor. Most Maldives luxury resorts take away the hassle of organising your dives. Resorts such as Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences have their dive partners to ensure your safety and comfort are taken care of, as you take the plunge!

What You Can Expect

Diving is an exhilarating experience for novice and seasoned divers alike since no two dives are the same. You can expect to be awestruck by the world that is thriving just beneath the surface of the waves. From gorgeous reefs to a host of colourful fish, sea turtles, manta rays, and harmless reef sharks, it is a whole new world under the sea!

Where To Dive

With over 26 atolls and over a thousand islands to choose from, this can be a really difficult decision to make! From Banana Reef in the Northern atoll which has its fair share of coral reefs and caves to the South Male atoll which has around six popular diving spots, which showcase the full range of marine life, there’s plenty of options for those keen on diving in the Maldives.

The Best Shipwrecks to Explore in the Maldives

While you may have heard of the many reefs to visit when diving in Maldives, there are captivating shipwrecks to explore as well, like those mentioned below.

Fesdu Wreck

Spanning a length of around 30 metres, the Fesdu Wreck is easily accessible from resorts in the Ari Atoll such as Kandolhu Maldives. This former fishing trawler now features various soft and hard corals and you can encounter fascinating marine life too be it longnose hawkfish, damselfish, clownfish, scorpionfish or octopuses.

Halaveli Wreck

Those based at resort villas in the Ari Atoll can also plan diving excursions to the Halaveli Wreck, a 38-metre cargo vessel. An ideal spot for evening or night diving, this wreck has some beautiful corals including on its mast, while moray eels, turtles, barracudas, surgeonfish, angelfish and stingrays may be spotted too.

The Shipyard

Located in the Lhaviyani Atoll, The Shipyard consists of two wrecks; while one lies on its side, the other is upright, adding to the allure of this dive site in Maldives. Soft and hard corals have formed on both wrecks, while divers have a chance to see grey reef sharks, nurse sharks, butterflyfish, Napoleon wrasse and moray eels.

The Victory Wreck

Also known as the Maldive Victory, this wreck near the airport in the North Male Atoll is well-known amongst the local diving community. A cargo ship, it lies at a depth of around 35 metres and is more suitable for experienced divers who can see colourful coral and may spot batfish, trevallies, lionfish, pufferfish and turtles.

Diving in Jeddah

There is a world of excitement waiting for all the divers out there in Jeddah. This article lists down a few of the most amazing dive sites in the seas here.

Image credit- Unsplash,
Sebastian Pena Lambarri,CC0

Sharm Obhur

You can enter this dive site right from the shores. The reef is easy to explore and perfect for beginners. You will see clown fish, turtles and eels. Maybe a Bullshark or 2 as well if you are lucky.

Abu Tair

If you are an experienced diver, you can try exploring the Staphonos shipwreck in Abu Tair. This was a cargo ship that carried cables, steel beams and chains, thus it is also called the Cable Wreck.

Abu Faramish

This spot is known for, yet another wreck called Ann Ann. The ship sits upright even to date with many of the rooms intact. You can also see the toilet in the ship which divers find quite interesting.

Jebel Al Lith

If you’ve already tried out all the activities, there are to do at your Jeddah accommodations the likes of Spectrums Residence Jeddah, its time you searched for some thrills. Jebel Al Lith offers a dive site which just happens to be the territory of the whale sharks!

Experience Diving in Maldives

Providing unparalleled views of the country’s stunning coral and marine life, diving in Maldives offers unforgettable adventures and is not to be missed when on holiday.

Choosing a Resort

When selecting a suitable resort, ensure that it has a dive school / centre that offers SSI and PADI certified courses for both beginners and pros. Consider properties such as Kandolhu Maldives that also feature half and full-day excursions to dive sites, private diving options and unique experiences like fluorescent night dives too.

House Reef Dives

For those new to diving, a great place to start would be at a house reef, usually found near an island resort and its Maldives villas. Such house reefs can be easily accessed and provide ideal opportunities to encounter diverse marine species from colourful reef fish to hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, manta rays and even various sharks.

Key Dive Sites

There are plenty of dive sites in Maldives especially in destinations such as the North and South Ari Atolls. Notable hotspots include Fishhead and Maaya Thila that are two Protected Marine Areas home to grey reef sharks, Moofushi Manta Point (December to April), the Fesdu Wreck and Hammerhead Shark Point at Rasdhoo Atoll.

When to Dive

You can enjoy diving here year-round; that said, December to May, the dry season, generally has the best weather and visibility. However, you can still enjoy diving in the rainy season (June to November) too and in some locations, the build-up of plankton during this time will attract more whale sharks and manta rays.

Diving in Salalah

Salalah is a city of wonders. With many attractions, dining spots, and shopping hubs, Salalah has already won the hearts of many travellers. But what about water adventures? Does Salalah have good diving spots?

The closest diving spot to Salalah

If you have thought of holidaying at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara or any other similar place, Mirbat is just 70km away from where you are. With many Oman attractions including China Wreck, Rocky Beach, and Eagle Bay, it’s indeed a paradise for those who love underwater explorations.

What to pack for the tour

The relevant equipment will be offered by the licensed diving instructor you choose. But make sure you take a hat, sun protection cream, towels, and sunshades with you for the tour.

Diving experience

The total diving experience may go on for around 5 hours. It’s a beautiful experience to meet the underwater creatures and plants during your exploration under the guidance of the instructor.

When to enjoy this experience?

Diving sessions do not function when it’s the high tide. So, make sure you schedule your tour somewhere from January to April or October to December. Happy Diving!

Snorkeling in The Maldives

The Maldives is one of the best destinations in the whole world if perfect snorkelling is what you are longing for! While you snorkel, it’s not just the coral reefs that you get to explore, but many more aquatic animals such as manta rays!

Best time for your snorkelling experience

If the visibility of the water is great, that’s what you need for an awesome snorkelling session. From January to April, you can expect sunny weather conditions and no / less rain means clearer waters.

Why the Maldives is the best for snorkelling?

Most of the Maldives luxury resorts the likes of Residence Maldives Falhumaafushi are located in secluded locations. These places offer the best snorkelling areas where the visibility of the water is very precise.

Tips for a great snorkelling session

Be mindful to rent snorkelling equipment only from certified agents. Since you are always provided with a guide/instructor, follow his instructions all the time. Don’t panic when you are in the water.

The average costs

This depends on the number of people you have with you and the number of days you require. Roughly the cost is around $8 per day and this does not include the applicable taxes.