Snorkelling and diving.
House reefs, good dive centres, and the seasons for mantas and whale sharks.
Photo © Amilla Maldives
The stay
A week planned around the reef.
On some islands the reef starts a few strokes from the beach; on others the best snorkelling is a boat ride away. Where you stay decides how much of the week you spend in the water, and the time of year shapes what you are likely to see. Mantas move between the two sides of the atolls with the monsoons, and whale sharks are seen around South Ari Atoll all year.
Plan a diving stayChoosing the island
What to look for on a reef holiday.
Islands differ a lot under the water. These are worth checking before you choose.
A house reef
A reef you can snorkel straight from the beach, and how far out it drops away.
The dive centre
Which courses it runs, how many dives a day it offers, and where its boats go.
The atoll
Some atolls are closer to the manta and whale shark sites than others.
The season
In the southwest monsoon, from about May, mantas feed mostly on the eastern sides of the atolls; in the northeast monsoon they move to the western sides.
Learning to dive
An island whose dive centre teaches beginners, if you would like to learn.
Children
Children can usually try diving in shallow water from 8, and start a junior course from 10.
What we arrange
Booked before you arrive.
Dives and courses
We ask the resort's dive centre to hold your dives or your course for the days you want them.
Trips further out
A trip to the manta or whale shark sites, if your island runs one.
Transfers
Seaplane, speedboat or domestic flight, timed around your international flights.
One contact
One contact from your first message until you fly home.
A sample week
Five nights in the water.
One way five nights can run. Every island is different, and nothing here is fixed.
- Day 1
Arrive
Land at Velana International Airport, transfer to the island, and a first look at the house reef.
- Day 2
A check dive
An orientation dive with the dive centre, if you have not dived for a few months.
- Day 3
Two dives
A morning dive and an afternoon dive on reefs nearby.
- Day 4
Mantas or whale sharks
A trip out to look for them, if the season and your island suit.
- Day 5
Off the tanks
Snorkel the house reef instead, so your last dive is well before the flight.
- Day 6
Home
A transfer timed to your flight, a full day after your last dive.
Questions
Asked by divers.
Anything not answered here, ask the reservations team on WhatsApp or by email, every day from 8am to 10pm Maldives time.
Contact usAlso worth a look
More ways to plan it.
Tell us about the trip. We reply within one working day.
Who is travelling, when, and what matters most. It takes about two minutes and goes straight to the reservations team.