Diving in the Maldives is an ultimate experience, as nearly all dives are so-called “drift dives”. Just like in a nature documentary film the coral and the swarms of fish swim past without you having to make any effort.

During incoming current visibility can be up to 50 metres. It is very often possible to view sharks under these conditions. During outgoing current visibility is indeed poorer but, but it contains plankton and that in turn attracts manta rays and other plankton feeders.

There is a greater diversity of species in the Maldives than anywhere else on the world. In addition to the many varieties of small fish it is also possible to see whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, Napoleon fish and tuna fish etc. The gaudiest fish on the reef includes the approx. 30 cm Kaiser fish. However also the almost identically sized doctor fish, which is surrounded by a yellow band, and the colourful butterfly fish float weightlessly through the sea of coral. The blackish yellow striped wimplefish, which has an extended dorsal fin, tends to swim in gigantic swarms. One has to look a bit closer for the frogfish, pipefish and the many sea slugs living here.

Moray eels can be seen time and again, generally only extending their formidable heads out of the caves where they dwell. In general they are not as aggressive as they appear but one should have a certain amount of respect.

The yellow-banded sweet lips fish and blue-spotted grouper, covered with light blue spots are very colourful. In shallower waters one very often finds the stingray, which likes to bury itself in the sand. The garden eel is also at home in these sandy zones.

At greater depths and particularly in the reef channels with their strong currents one quite often sees black fins and black tip reef sharks. Bonitos, mackerel, dolphins, marlins and tuna fish on the other hand are found on the open seas. Sometimes mighty whale sharks also make their rounds, sifting plankton with their gigantic mouths.

One should avoid the poisonous animals such as lionfish, stingrays, stonefish and certain slugs but with a bit of common sense and keeping one’s eyes open pursuing one’s diving hobby is completely safe.

The coral was formerly less noticed, as divers primarily came for the “large fish”. It reached headlines after El Nino bleached the coral in 1998 due to the high water temperatures. Contrary to all expert opinions the coral has now recovered and it is now seldom that evidence of this event is still noticeable. Today the coral shines as never before and the fish don’t seem to have minded El Nino at all.

Probably the most important underwater creatures in the Maldives are the stony corals. And it is thanks to their ability to extract minerals and secrete calcium carbonate from seawater that the Maldives ultimately owe their existence. More than 200 different species of polyps monopolise the coral castles. Their constructions are fodder and refuge for many species of fish. So one coral grows from 2 to 10 cm per year, whereby this is dependant upon the current conditions and much more. However also the lower life forms, such as sea sponges, hard and soft coral, sea pens, feather and brittle stars and leather corals form the reef habitat.

All reef inhabitants live in a symbiosis of peaceful coexistence and divers are also warmly welcomed as guests when you adhere to the rules and do not trample all over the coral garden habitats!

Diving in the Maldives

Dives are made from “dive dhonis”, as these ships are better suited to navigating near the reefs and collect divers again after the dive. Dives are in the outer reefs, thilas and channels.

The outer reef:

…is the ultimate experience for most divers, as large fish are found here, however one must generally expect to find currents here. Although the coral is not as delicate as an the thilas, there’s still a “kick” here, even when the water may at times be a bit cloudy due to the stronger current.

The lagoons and inner reefs

…are more suited to snorkelling and swimming and are therefore less accessed. However, the lagoons are very well suited for introductory dives, particularly as the currents are not so strong and it is possible to calmly familiarise oneself with the equipment.

Thilas, Farus and Giris

…are quasi “small undersea mountains” with a different reef structure. They never reach the water’s surface but grow downward a maximum of 5 metres. During poor visibility it might not be possible to find a thila.

Farus are small atolls within an atoll lagoon. They grow to the water’s surface. Giris are thilas which grow to the water’s surface and often protrude out of the sea during low tide. They have a very delicate structure. They mainly visited during poor weather conditions.

The channels

……are the friends to current divers. During incoming currents here there is very good visibility and sharks are also often sighted here. The deepest areas of the channel are around 50 metres.