A cluster of thousands of islands found 250 miles south of India, the Maldives offers a sense of paradise like no other. While the white sandy beaches are perfect for those who love nothing more than to relax in the sun, the abundant coral reefs that surround pose as a scuba divers dream. If plunging into the crystal clear waters is your idea of a great activity during your Maldives luxury getaway, here is your perfect guide to scuba diving on this beautiful island chain.

How the corals were formed

Once part of a volcanic mountain range some 65 million years ago, the peaks descended when activity and the decrease rate was small enough for coral formations to grow on their rims – corals that over many years have become the fringing reefs of the atolls (a ring shaped coral reef on which the many islands of the Maldives rest). It is thought that some of the coral on the reef is up to 2,100m deep, a fact even more incredible considering a coral may grow just 2mm a year.

Over the many years, oceanic currents have eroded channels in the rims of the atolls, creating perfect channels for divers to submerge into extraordinary experiences. It’s for this reason that the Maldives are renowned as one of the finest places to go scuba diving across the world.

The best times to visit

With the archipelago consisting of 1,322 islands across 26 atolls, the Maldives diving experience is very diverse and depends on the season that you visit.

One of the best times to visit is during the northeast monsoon between December and April, with the effects of the Maldivian summer bringing superb visibility and even the chance to see a host of sharks and other pelagic species while scuba diving on the Eastern side of the island. The great visibility is brought about because of the significant reduction in the levels of the wind, meaning that the sea bed isn’t greatly affected by wind or waves. Despite this, those keen to spot whale sharks and manta rays will have to head towards the eastern side to catch a glimpse.

Another favourable period is the southwest monsoon between May and December, where the attention shifts to the western side during its turn to benefit from fine visibility and slightly cooler temperatures – conditions favourable for sharks of all species to head closer to the surface. During this period, the whale sharks and manta rays we mentioned will usually be found on the eastern side. While the sea conditions are not as favourable as the northeast monsoon and the levels of rainfall are greater, the clear waters make it a great place for those who want to learn to scuba dive for the first time.
 

Equipment you may wish to take with you

Although the majority of scuba diving equipment can be hired nearby during your stay at the Soneva Fushi holiday resort or other places across the Maldives, there are many items that you could consider taking to ensure you have the best holiday possible. Just one of these is the underwater camera; with such an abundance of marine life to see, it would be such a shame not to be able to capture it all to remember forever. While packing a suitable underwater housing for your camera is an absolute must, you may also consider taking some spare O-Rings and other relatable equipment to ensure it stays airtight during the longevity of your trip.

Another is the scuba diving mask, and while these are often available from diving hire outlets, having one of your own means you won’t have to waste precious time adjusting it for the perfect fit.

Soneva Fushi resort has its own fully-equipped diving PADI diving school, which is ideal if you are a true beginner and uncertain of what equipment is worth bringing on holiday. Suitable for experts as well as beginners, diving is an essential activity of a trip to the Maldives.

Image Credits: Craig D, Chi King (Flickr.com)