For lovers of marine life

For lovers of marine life, Maldives is undoubtedly a slice of heaven.

For one thing, the country is made up of hundreds of islands which offer an enormous playground for divers to explore. There are channels connecting the ocean to the lagoons and the water coming from the ocean is full of planktons and nutrients which, in turn, attract an incredible amount of marine life.

If you plan your next adventure right, you may find yourself swimming among manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles and so much more. This is precisely what makes Maldives such a hotspot for diving.

We have compiled a list of some of the best places for this:

South Ari Atoll is one of the best places for spotting whale sharks. The sightings are excellent all year round, with a peak time from August to November. Manta rays can also be found during the northeast monsoon from around October to May.

Dhigurah in South Ari Atoll is one of the best places where you can enjoy a snorkelling or diving trip with whale sharks. Coincidentally, The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, a research-based conservation charity dedicated to studying whale sharks and fostering community-focused conservation initiatives, is also based here.

Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll is a feeding hotspot for manta rays. The best time to visit Hanifaru Bay is between June and early October. Scuba diving is no longer permitted here but you can always go swimming or snorkelling amid these gentle giants and get up close and personal with whale sharks.

The southernmost Addu Atoll is an exceptional scuba diving spot where you can spot almost everything from manta rays to eagle rays to turtles and more.

In North Male Atoll, Meeru Island Resort & Spa’s Turtle Reef is one of the best locations to spot turtles.