MALDIVES DIVING HOLIDAYS
Why you'll love diving in Maldives!
Best Diving Season
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
Amilla Fushi, Maldives, Maldives
30% Stay Longer Offer + 5% Additional Discount
Valid for stays between 08 jan 2023 to 24 dec 2023
Amilla Fushi, Maldives, Maldives
30% Stay Longer Offer
Valid for stays between 08 jan 2024 to 24 dec 2024
Amilla Fushi, Maldives, Maldives
25% Festive Offer
Valid for stays between 25 dec 2023 to 07 jan 2024
Anantara Dhigu Luxury Family Resort, Maldives, Maldives
25% discount
Valid for stays between 01 oct 2023 to 23 dec 2023
Added value when booking with Planet Travel
+ Free Upgrade to Half Board (stay between 14 sep 2023 - 23 dec 2023)
Anantara Dhigu Luxury Family Resort, Maldives, Maldives
22% Discount Offer
Valid for stays between 08 jan 2024 to 23 dec 2024
Added value when booking with Planet Travel
+ Free Upgrade to Half Board (stay between 14 sep 2023 - 23 dec 2023)
Anantara Dhigu Luxury Family Resort, Maldives, Maldives
27% Discount Offer
Valid for stays between 08 jan 2024 to 23 dec 2024
Added value when booking with Planet Travel
+ Free Upgrade to Half Board (stay between 14 sep 2023 - 23 dec 2023)
Anantara Dhigu Luxury Family Resort, Maldives, Maldives
22% Discount Offer
Valid for stays between 09 jan 2023 to 23 dec 2023
Added value when booking with Planet Travel
+ Free Upgrade to Half Board (stay between 14 sep 2023 - 23 dec 2023)
Anantara Dhigu Luxury Family Resort, Maldives, Maldives
27% Discount Offer
Valid for stays between 09 jan 2023 to 23 dec 2023
Added value when booking with Planet Travel
+ Free Upgrade to Half Board (stay between 14 sep 2023 - 23 dec 2023)
Anantara Dhigu Luxury Family Resort, Maldives, Maldives
5% Discount
Valid for stays between 09 jan 2023 to 23 dec 2023
Added value when booking with Planet Travel
+ Free Upgrade to Half Board (stay between 14 sep 2023 - 23 dec 2023)
Anantara Dhigu Luxury Family Resort, Maldives, Maldives
20% Discount
Valid for stays between 15 may 2023 to 31 aug 2024
Added value when booking with Planet Travel
+ Free Upgrade to Half Board (stay between 14 sep 2023 - 23 dec 2023)
Anantara Veli Luxury Adult Only Resort, Maldives, Maldives
22% Discount Offer
Valid for stays between 08 jan 2024 to 07 jan 2025
Anantara Veli Luxury Adult Only Resort, Maldives, Maldives
27% Discount Offer
Valid for stays between 08 jan 2024 to 07 jan 2025
Anantara Veli Luxury Adult Only Resort, Maldives, Maldives
22% Discount Offer
Valid for stays between 09 jan 2023 to 07 jan 2024
Anantara Veli Luxury Adult Only Resort, Maldives, Maldives
27% Discount Offer
Valid for stays between 09 jan 2023 to 07 jan 2024
Boutique Beach, Maldives, Maldives
25% Early Bird Offer
Valid for stays between 01 may 2023 to 31 oct 2025
Como Cocoa Island, Maldives, Maldives
10% Early Bird Offer
Valid for stays between 18 apr 2023 to 19 dec 2023
Constance Moofushi, Maldives, Maldives
11% Seasonal Offer
Valid for stays between 27 dec 2023 to 06 jan 2024
Finolhu, Maldives, Maldives
20% Rolling Early Bird Offer
Valid for stays between 11 jan 2023 to 10 jan 2024
Finolhu, Maldives, Maldives
10% Rolling Early Bird Offer
Valid for stays between 11 jan 2023 to 10 jan 2024
Kuredu Island, Maldives, Maldives
25% Summer Offer + Comp Stay & Gala Dinner for Kids
Valid for stays between 01 nov 2023 to 26 dec 2023
Kuredu Island, Maldives, Maldives
25% Special Winter Offer + Comp Stay & Gala Dinner for Kids
Valid for stays between 11 jan 2024 to 30 apr 2024
Kuredu Island, Maldives, Maldives
25% Summer Offer
Valid for stays between 01 may 2024 to 31 oct 2024
Kuredu Island, Maldives, Maldives
15% Summer Offer
Valid for stays between 01 may 2024 to 31 oct 2024
Maalifushi by Como, Maldives, Maldives
10% Early Bird Offer
Valid for stays between 18 apr 2023 to 19 dec 2023
Vilamendhoo Island Resort, Maldives, Maldives
15% Discount
Valid for stays between 01 nov 2023 to 23 dec 2023
Liveaboard Offers
Emperor Explorer, , Maldives
25% off top luxury liveaboard
Valid for stays between 02 jun 2023 to 01 dec 2023
25% off
Luxury Diving Holidays In The Maldives
Planet Dive specialise in luxury diving holidays to the Maldives. With over 160 resorts to choose from in the Maldives, it can be very difficult to understand which is the best island for your specific holiday requirements and budget. We offer carefully selected resorts, that we have personally inspected, and offer the best quality and value for money in their class.
We can suggest specific islands depending on the type of Maldives holiday you are after, be that hotels with excellent kids clubs and activities for families, with a good range of diving sites close to the resort so are never away for too long, or romantic holiday experiences for couples and honeymooners. For the pure dive enthusiast, we can suggest a resort in the best location for the time you are travelling with the best diving facilities.
Our Maldives dive holiday experts are also on hand to assist you with booking the best scuba diving liveaboards. A dive liveaboard will always give you access to the best dive sites, however with a wide variety of diving vessels to choose from in the Maldives, we always recommend you speak to a Maldives dive expert to find the best diving holiday for you.
Planet Dive specialise in luxury diving holidays to the Maldives. With over 160 resorts to choose from in the Maldives, it can be very difficult to understand which is the best island for your specific holiday requirements and budget. We offer carefully selected resorts, that we have personally inspected, and offer the best quality and value for money in their class.
We can suggest specific islands depending on the type of Maldives holiday you are after, be that hotels with excellent kids clubs and activities for families, with a good range of diving sites close to the resort so are never away for too long, or romantic holiday experiences for couples and honeymooners. For the pure dive enthusiast, we can suggest a resort in the best location for the time you are travelling with the best diving facilities.
Our Maldives dive holiday experts are also on hand to assist you with booking the best scuba diving liveaboards. A dive liveaboard will always give you access to the best dive sites, however with a wide variety of diving vessels to choose from in the Maldives, we always recommend you speak to a Maldives dive expert to find the best diving holiday for you.
The Diving In The Maldives
The relative isolation of the Maldives, far from any landmass, has led to a fabulous variety of marine species. Seasonal oceanic currents have forged channels from the open ocean into the atolls. These channels concentrate plankton rich waters into and out of the atolls, which in turn support an incredibly rich marine ecosystem. Once inside the atoll, reefs, sandbars, islands and lagoons have evolved over millennia forming the habitat and nurseries for many of the reef's inhabitants.
The best diving sites are around these channels or on underwater pinnacles, known as thilas, which attract large schools of fish, as well as other large marine species. The dive channels on both the east and west of the island are seasonal but the thilas offer great diving throughout the year.
The Diving In The Maldives Far North
Following an internal flight north from Male you reach Hanimaadhoo, the most northerly airport in the Maldives. From here the travelling diver can reach a handful of resort islands or board one of the Maldives liveaboards based in this remote part of the Maldives to dive Haa Alifu Atoll and Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
Haa Alifu Atoll Diving: Haa Alifu has a special meaning for Maldivians as the birthplace of the nation's hero Muhammad Thakurufaanu, who freed the Maldives from its Portuguese rulers. The diving in Haa Alifu is varied with currents tending not to be as strong as they can be in the Maldives central atolls. Thila dives include Amba, Baarah and Muraadhoo where divers can look out for leopard sharks and occasional mantas. Dhonakulhi Channel is also a good place to spot mantas in the season. The 80m Maddhoo wreck is in a mere 20m of water.
Haa Dhaalu Atoll Diving: Directly south of Haa Alifu, the thila at Nellahidhoo is a good spot for reef sharks, white and black tips and grey reef sharks.
The Diving In The Maldives Northern Atolls
Below the far North Atolls lie the Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Lhaviyani, and Baa atolls as well as the smaller Goidhoo Atoll. These Maldivian northern atolls can be reached by liveaboards departing Male or via a short internal flight. Baa Atoll is renowned for the mantas of Hanifaru Bay and Lhaviyani - a long time favourite due to its well established and popular Kuredu island resort. The other northern atolls are only just being discovered by travelling divers.
Raa Atoll Diving: A large atoll to the north of Baa. The Raa Atoll has only recently been opened to tourism and so still rarely dived. A lot of the diving here is on pinnacles with shallow giris and the deeper thilas.
Shaviyani Atoll Diving: A big draw for Shaviyani Atoll is that it is relatively unknown and the sites are protected by their remoteness and the lack of divers in the area.
Noonu Atoll Diving: While it is possible to access Noonu Atoll from Lhaviyani, it's rarely done thus leaving the sites for the enjoyment of divers from the handful of island resorts. Orimas thila is a shark cleaning station and you'll find many juveniles here.
Baa Atoll Diving: August through October sees the seasonal congregation of filter feeders in Baa Atoll, particularly mantas in Hanifaru Bay. This is, without a doubt, one of the top places in the world to see manta rays and whale sharks. It is the only place on the planet where you can swim with up to 200 manta rays and 20 whale sharks when the plankton blooms are at their fullest and trapped in Hanifaru Bay. This area attracts a great range of life from every corner of the surrounding ocean. This area is now a protected zone and diving is prohibited, but snorkelling with the mantas is still allowed. When mantas are in Hanifaru Bay there is a park fee of US$20 per person (subject to change) for 45 minutes of snorkelling, paid directly to the park rangers.
Lhaviyani Atoll Diving: Relatively remote and with fewer visitors the Lhaviyani Atoll has a number of spectacular and pristine dive sites. The resort of Kuredu boasts over 45 local dive sites, amongst them two are particularly noteworthy. The two wrecks of the Shipyard have become artificial reefs adorned with marine life. Here the prevailing current enables divers to visit both steel wrecks is one dive. At the Kuredhoo Express, eagle rays and various species of reef shark are regularly sighted. But watch out this drift dive is not for the faint hearted, its name says it all.
The Diving In The Maldives Central Atolls
The Maldives' central atolls contain the country's capital Male and Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on neighbouring Hulhule Island. It was here that Maldives diving began with the first of the Maldives resorts. This region includes North Male and South Male Atolls, Gaafaru Atoll, Felidhue Atoll (aka Vaavu Atoll), Rasdhoo and North Ari and South Ari Atolls.
North Male Atoll Diving: The Maldives’ principle atoll has much to attract all levels of driver. The outer reefs to the west shelve steeply to 300 metres and to the east 2000 metres. In the atoll’s north-west region the outer reefs at Madivaru offer plenty of good diving for all levels of diver throughout the year. Those with more experience will enjoy Madi Thila where the outgoing currents attract mantas between January and March. In contrast, the incoming currents at Kani Corner create ideal conditions for schooling jacks and dog-toothed tuna. A little further south is Manta Point, best dived during the south westerlies. If that’s not enough there’s also the wreck of the Maldives Victory. Located close to the airport island, and sitting upright in 35 m of water, this intact wreck is often swept by strong currents and is for advanced divers only.
South Male Atoll Diving: The diving in South Male Atoll is largely on the eastern edge with its 6 kandus (channels). Embudhoo Kandu, with its grey reef sharks, and Guraidhoo Kandu are two of the big names of Maldives diving. Lesser known sites include Kandooma thila - a coral head just off Kandooma Island standing in 40 metres of water. The current here brings hunting jacks, barracuda and reef sharks. The small Kuda Giri Wreck lies upright on the seabed, at between 30 and 15 metres, just off the small Giri and when flooded with light is a lovely dive with loads of marine life both above and within the wreck.
Ari Atoll Diving: The northern Ari Atoll possesses four of the Maldives’ most famous signature dives - Maaya Thila, renowned for white tips; Fish Head for grey reef sharks; Rasdhoo for schooling hammerheads and the Halaveli wreck for stingrays. Southern Ari is better known for its exhilarating drift dives in the kandus and around the numerous thilas. Large pelagics can be seen throughout the year moving location with the seasons. Mandivaru is famed as a manta cleaning station whilst diving outside Dhidhdoo during the south westerlies probably offers divers their best chance of a whale shark experience. The novice or less adventurous diver shouldn’t be put off, Ari has something for everyone.
Vaavu Atoll Diving: Across a reasonably short, approximately 14km wide channel, Vaavu is considered part of the central atolls. It is regularly visited by the Maldives' liveaboard safari boats for its numerous long and deep channels along the Atoll's eastern edge and the popular night dive at Alimatha.
The Diving In The Maldives Southern Atolls
South of the Maldives' central atolls the Maldives' south encompasses the Meemu Atoll, North and South Nilandhe Atolls (aka Faafu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll) as well as the even more remote Thaa and Laamu Atoll. Until recently, these remote atolls were reserved for those diving on liveaboards. However, they are now being explored by a few day divers with the development of a handful of very high-class Maldives resorts.
Faafu Atoll Diving: Faafu Atoll has many good channels on the eastern edge where you will find barracuda, napoleon and reef sharks. The widest and deepest of all the channels is Filitheyo Kandu and this is the only protected marine reserve in Faafu Atoll. Faafu also has a couple of good sized wrecks and its own Manta Point. In the entire atoll there is just one resort, Filitheyo Island Resort, in the north-east corner.
Dhaalu Atoll Diving: There are 45 islands in the Dhaalu Atoll, but only 2 resorts, both in the northeast corner. Diving in the Dhaalu Atoll includes channels and deep water. Dhallu also has a marine protected area at Fushi Kandu with a number of thilas across the channel - be sure to look outside these for passing sharks and eagle rays.
Meemu Atoll Diving: The long eastern edge of the Meemu Atoll offers plenty of wall diving and one large kandu, with loads of great dives. Inside the atoll are giris and thilas. Whale shark season in Meemu Atoll is May-December. An early morning dive at Hakuraa Express may even reward you with a manta and even the occasional hammerhead.
Thaa Atoll Diving: Thaa Atoll still has plenty of dive sites not yet fully investigated. Until recently Thaa Atoll was the preserve of the liveaboard boats passing through on their way to, or from, the Maldives deep south. Diving here includes giris and thilas, channels, coral gardens, outer walls and overhangs. You'll be diving with rays and sharks, various fish species, schooling tuna, barracuda and a whole array of reef fish.
Laamu Atoll Diving: The shape and remoteness of the Laamu Atoll combine to make it unique. Good coral formations and few divers help to ensure that the reefs remain in excellent condition. Laamu has its own Manta Point at Hithadhoo Corner with mantas possible virtually all year around. Deep drop-offs form Laamu Atoll's outer walls. It also boasts some excellent channel dives like Fushi Kandu offering good drifts and the chance of seeing larger species of fish and sharks.
The Diving In The Maldives Deep South
Either side of the Equatorial channel (Addu Kandu) lie the most southerly of the Maldives' atolls. On the northern side is the larger Huvadhoo Atoll while to the south are tiny Foammulah Atoll and Addu Atoll (aka Seenu Atoll). Diving in the Maldives deep south is about as remote as you'll find anywhere in the world.
Huvadhoo Atoll Diving: Maldives liveaboards visit Huvadhoo between January and March attracted by the shark action. Hammerheads, silky sharks, tiger sharks and reef sharks including grey reef sharks. A large atoll, Huvadhoo has it all - channel, diving and well as pinnacles.
Addu Atoll Diving: Addu, or Seenu, atoll contains the island of Gan, formerly a Royal Air Force Station, and is the location of the wreck of the British Loyalty. Scuttled in 1946, after being damaged by torpedo earlier in the war, British Loyalty now sits in 33 metres of water. With access by air and one international standard resort and a handful of guesthouses, there are few other divers in this relatively small atoll.
Your skill Level
Speak to an Maldives expert
Need some help? Tired of trawling the internet to find the right holiday? Speak to a Maldives diving travel expert for first hand advice. We will construct the perfect holiday for your specifc requirements at the best price.

BST 0930 - 1800 Mon - Sat
Can't call right now?
4* Vilamendhoo Island Resort



5* Finolhu



5* Anantara Dhigu Luxury Family Resort



5* Anantara Kihavah



5* Amilla Fushi



4* Boutique Beach



5* Joali



South West Sri Lanka
15 Day Sri Lanka Tour
Discover the very best of Sri Lanka on this 15 day, 14 night tour. Spend time in Anuradhapura, Kandy, Dickoya, Ella, Pottuvil and Kotugoda, seeing the top sites and experiencing everything this magnificent country has to offer.
Sri Lanka has a recorded history that spans back 3000 years. Like its massive neighbour India, Sri Lanka is a diverse country, home to many religions, ethnicity and languages. It is also still blessed with a variety of wildlife that has survived alongside this human civilization, on this small island for centuries. Today it offers tourists a diverse experience - from the modern city of Colombo with its skyscrapers to national parks teeming with elephants and religious and cultural buildings of multiple origins.
Family Wildlife Adventure
Tea and Fort with Spa Indulgences
Unique & Authentic Sri Lanka
Book & Tea Tour
Discover Sri Lanka's rich diversity on this fantastic tour. The first part of the tour visits a tea plantation where you will experience the local lifestyle centred around tea production. Watch the tea plucking process, visit a tea factory and learn the secret art of tea. Enjoy high tea in your bungalow every day with author Ashok Ferrey.
Ashok is Sri Lanka’s biggest-selling author in English. His work takes a satirical look at the complex and often inscrutable lives of Sri Lankans. Ashok is the author of five books – two collections of short stories (Colpetty People, The Good Little Ceylonese Girl) and three novels (Serendipity, The Professional, The Ceaseless Chatter of Demons). Of these five, four have been shortlisted for the Gratiaen Prize (Sri Lanka’s premier literary award, founded and funded by Michael Ondaatje), and the fifth for Sri Lanka’s State Literary Award. His most recent book (Demons) will be translated into French and published by Mercure de France (Gallimard) in the spring of 2018. You will pick three of his books to review with Ashok during the days of this tour. Learn from Ashok Ferry as he chronicles the journeys of characters, seeking something beyond the barriers of nations and generations. Read about his tales of social-climbing Sri Lankans, of the pathos of immigration, of rich people with poor taste, of ice-cream karma, of innocent love, eternity, and more. He accurately portrays Sri Lanka in all its diversity. Ashok Ferrey writes about Sri Lanka and its people, wherever they roam, with remarkable acuity.
The second half of your journey visits one of the most breathtaking lake front properties in Asia – Tri. Flanking Sri Lanka's finest lake, this luxury hotel features living walls, green roofs, solar hot water, recycled wood and is made of entirely local materials. Simply relax with a good book or enjoy one of the excursions on offer including a cinnamon experience, a visit to a celebrated local artist, a natural experience at a turtle hatchery, a culinary journey experience including a visit to a local market, whale watching boat tours and cultural excursions.
Leopards, Whales and Indian Ocean
Teenage Family Adventures
Highlights of this tour include white water rafting and canyoning in the Kelani River, hiking the Little Adam’s Peak, leopard and sloth bear safaris in Yala National Park and accommodation in properties such as Amangalla, Wild Coast Lodge, Galle Face Hotel, 98 Acres and Palmstone Retreat with 2 interconnecting/adjoining rooms at all times. All meals will be provided throughout the tour including spa treatments for the parents as mentioned below and you will also enjoy VIP arrival and departure services with executive lounge access at the airport.
Sri Lanka Vintage Trains and Perahera
Highlights of this tour include travel in two vintage train carriages in the hill country, witnessing the world famous Kandy Perahera which has been continuously happening since the 3rd century BC, exploring the UNESCO sacred city of Kandy including the Temple of the Tooth, a tea experience in the mountains and accommodation in properties such as Galle Face Hotel, Kandy House, Ceylon Tea Trails (Relais & Chateaux) and Cape Weligama (Relais & Chateaux). All meals throughout the tour including spa treatments.