🇲🇻 Maldives

The Maldives is a top scuba destination in the Indian Ocean, with most diving focused on remote atolls and easy access to warm, clear tropical water. Typical dives are on coral reefs and channels around the atolls, with good chances of seeing reef fish, turtles, and rays when conditions suit. Visibility is often strong, while currents can range from mild to noticeable depending on the site and tide, especially around passes. Water temperature stays fairly warm year-round, but seasons can affect wind and sea state, so boat trips and dive schedules vary. The main bases are around Malé and nearby atolls such as Malé Atoll and North and South Ari Atoll, with many divers also planning longer outings or liveaboards to reach less-visited reefs across the archipelago.