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Maldives

© iStock/kurmyshov

Explore the Maldives

The Maldives, a diver's paradise, offers an unparalleled experience with its unique atoll formations and vibrant marine ecosystems. Spread across roughly 90,000 km²/55,923 SMI, these atolls provide a stunning backdrop for divers. The term 'atoll' itself is derived from the Maldivian word 'atholhu,' underscoring the country's deep connection to its marine environments. With the lowest elevation of any country, the Maldives enjoys a warm, humid climate ideal for year-round diving.


Divers can explore a variety of environments, from vibrant coral reefs teeming with life to dramatic walls and intriguing shipwrecks. The Maldives' waters are home to a spectacular range of marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, and an array of colorful reef fish. Whether embarking on a shore dive, a more adventurous boat dive, or an extended liveaboard journey, each option provides unique encounters.Seasonal changes bring different marine spectacles. For instance, manta ray gatherings are more common from May to November, while clearer waters and better visibility can be expected from December to April. This seasonal diversity makes the Maldives a captivating destination for divers seeking both adventure and tranquility beneath the waves.

Power Plug Type
C, D, G, J, K, L
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DIS, JCB, Cir, Plus
Tipping
0-10% / Restaurant Staff / Service charges are typically added to restaurant bills, eliminating the need to tip.
Currency
MVR
Dial Code
+960
Electricity
230 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+5 (MVT)

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    Top Wildlife Sightings in Maldives

    The Maldives is renowned for its vibrant marine life and diverse ecosystems, making it a prime destination for divers. The coral reefs here are home to a myriad of common reef fish, such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish, which are easily spotted year-round. Divers can also expect to encounter the iconic Napoleon wrasse and schools of fusiliers. Seasonal highlights include manta ray sightings, particularly from May to November in sites like Hanifaru Bay. Sharks, including reef and hammerhead species, are often seen, with Lankanfinolhu Thila being a notable spot. Green and hawksbill turtles are frequent visitors to the Maldivian reefs, with higher chances of sightings around turtle nesting season.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    24k Sightings
    J
    2.2k
    F
    2.1k
    M
    2.4k
    A
    2.6k
    M
    1.4k
    J
    786
    J
    1.6k
    A
    2.1k
    S
    1.8k
    O
    2.5k
    N
    2.7k
    D
    2.2k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray

    18k Sightings
    J
    1.6k
    F
    1.7k
    M
    2.1k
    A
    2.2k
    M
    1k
    J
    539
    J
    994
    A
    1.3k
    S
    1.1k
    O
    1.5k
    N
    1.8k
    D
    1.7k
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    15k Sightings
    J
    1.3k
    F
    1.4k
    M
    1.7k
    A
    1.6k
    M
    823
    J
    520
    J
    1k
    A
    1.2k
    S
    907
    O
    1.2k
    N
    1.5k
    D
    1.3k
    Reef Manta Ray

    Reef Manta Ray

    10k Sightings
    J
    1k
    F
    1k
    M
    1.1k
    A
    910
    M
    465
    J
    200
    J
    392
    A
    787
    S
    885
    O
    1.3k
    N
    1.4k
    D
    970
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    8.7k Sightings
    J
    786
    F
    766
    M
    858
    A
    918
    M
    494
    J
    343
    J
    712
    A
    755
    S
    589
    O
    775
    N
    939
    D
    749

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    7.7k Sightings
    J
    797
    F
    702
    M
    719
    A
    851
    M
    419
    J
    303
    J
    582
    A
    663
    S
    455
    O
    731
    N
    809
    D
    665
    Tiger Shark

    Tiger Shark

    4.1k Sightings
    J
    327
    F
    615
    M
    718
    A
    441
    M
    242
    J
    86
    J
    170
    A
    280
    S
    233
    O
    189
    N
    467
    D
    298

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    3.7k Sightings
    J
    383
    F
    386
    M
    417
    A
    454
    M
    161
    J
    83
    J
    204
    A
    309
    S
    218
    O
    293
    N
    430
    D
    366

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    3.6k Sightings
    J
    387
    F
    329
    M
    510
    A
    579
    M
    221
    J
    54
    J
    138
    A
    136
    S
    192
    O
    348
    N
    422
    D
    267
    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    2.1k Sightings
    J
    218
    F
    216
    M
    246
    A
    201
    M
    87
    J
    59
    J
    111
    A
    170
    S
    173
    O
    235
    N
    206
    D
    174
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    31k Sightings
    J
    3k
    F
    3k
    M
    3.4k
    A
    3.5k
    M
    1.6k
    J
    794
    J
    1.8k
    A
    2.3k
    S
    2k
    O
    2.9k
    N
    3.6k
    D
    2.8k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    22k Sightings
    J
    1.9k
    F
    1.9k
    M
    2k
    A
    2.2k
    M
    1.4k
    J
    739
    J
    1.5k
    A
    1.9k
    S
    1.6k
    O
    2.2k
    N
    2.4k
    D
    2k
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark

    19k Sightings
    J
    2k
    F
    2.1k
    M
    2.3k
    A
    1.9k
    M
    911
    J
    409
    J
    955
    A
    1.4k
    S
    1.2k
    O
    1.8k
    N
    2.2k
    D
    1.9k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    19k Sightings
    J
    1.8k
    F
    1.7k
    M
    1.8k
    A
    2k
    M
    1.1k
    J
    684
    J
    1.3k
    A
    1.7k
    S
    1.4k
    O
    1.9k
    N
    2k
    D
    1.7k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    17k Sightings
    J
    1.6k
    F
    1.5k
    M
    1.4k
    A
    1.8k
    M
    998
    J
    653
    J
    1.2k
    A
    1.5k
    S
    1.2k
    O
    1.7k
    N
    1.8k
    D
    1.5k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    16k Sightings
    J
    1.5k
    F
    1.4k
    M
    1.5k
    A
    1.7k
    M
    887
    J
    593
    J
    1.2k
    A
    1.3k
    S
    1.1k
    O
    1.5k
    N
    1.5k
    D
    1.5k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    15k Sightings
    J
    1.4k
    F
    1.3k
    M
    1.3k
    A
    1.5k
    M
    958
    J
    558
    J
    1.1k
    A
    1.4k
    S
    1.1k
    O
    1.6k
    N
    1.6k
    D
    1.3k
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    15k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    1.4k
    M
    1.5k
    A
    1.8k
    M
    768
    J
    467
    J
    1k
    A
    1.3k
    S
    1k
    O
    1.5k
    N
    1.5k
    D
    1.3k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    14k Sightings
    J
    1.4k
    F
    1.2k
    M
    1.2k
    A
    1.4k
    M
    867
    J
    578
    J
    1k
    A
    1.3k
    S
    1k
    O
    1.4k
    N
    1.5k
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    13k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    1.2k
    M
    1.1k
    A
    1.3k
    M
    778
    J
    531
    J
    1k
    A
    1.2k
    S
    1k
    O
    1.4k
    N
    1.4k
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    13k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    1k
    M
    970
    A
    1.3k
    M
    801
    J
    534
    J
    978
    A
    1.2k
    S
    966
    O
    1.3k
    N
    1.4k
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    12k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    960
    M
    970
    A
    1.2k
    M
    770
    J
    474
    J
    925
    A
    1.2k
    S
    918
    O
    1.3k
    N
    1.4k
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    11k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.3k
    A
    1.3k
    M
    597
    J
    399
    J
    583
    A
    865
    S
    713
    O
    936
    N
    1.2k
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Tuna

    Tuna

    7.5k Sightings
    J
    797
    F
    857
    M
    835
    A
    703
    M
    301
    J
    197
    J
    476
    A
    624
    S
    533
    O
    647
    N
    821
    D
    677

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    6.7k Sightings
    J
    643
    F
    616
    M
    618
    A
    601
    M
    353
    J
    193
    J
    483
    A
    632
    S
    472
    O
    622
    N
    747
    D
    713

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    6.6k Sightings
    J
    647
    F
    481
    M
    545
    A
    704
    M
    442
    J
    236
    J
    573
    A
    573
    S
    542
    O
    597
    N
    630
    D
    586

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    6.5k Sightings
    J
    618
    F
    558
    M
    489
    A
    641
    M
    425
    J
    269
    J
    552
    A
    604
    S
    514
    O
    624
    N
    686
    D
    541

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    5.9k Sightings
    J
    611
    F
    488
    M
    422
    A
    500
    M
    368
    J
    273
    J
    478
    A
    536
    S
    414
    O
    668
    N
    566
    D
    531

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    5.5k Sightings
    J
    559
    F
    467
    M
    599
    A
    598
    M
    302
    J
    230
    J
    435
    A
    487
    S
    352
    O
    482
    N
    490
    D
    516

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    5.4k Sightings
    J
    476
    F
    472
    M
    471
    A
    624
    M
    424
    J
    219
    J
    399
    A
    395
    S
    385
    O
    464
    N
    537
    D
    497

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    4.7k Sightings
    J
    459
    F
    375
    M
    336
    A
    459
    M
    331
    J
    228
    J
    415
    A
    396
    S
    414
    O
    502
    N
    410
    D
    392
    Silvertip Shark

    Silvertip Shark

    4.3k Sightings
    J
    534
    F
    514
    M
    600
    A
    375
    M
    154
    J
    79
    J
    233
    A
    295
    S
    275
    O
    320
    N
    491
    D
    420

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    3.8k Sightings
    J
    349
    F
    296
    M
    445
    A
    407
    M
    231
    J
    177
    J
    255
    A
    302
    S
    223
    O
    400
    N
    378
    D
    370

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    Nurse Shark

    Nurse Shark

    3.8k Sightings
    J
    336
    F
    373
    M
    332
    A
    466
    M
    256
    J
    153
    J
    291
    A
    271
    S
    278
    O
    358
    N
    327
    D
    320

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    3.4k Sightings
    J
    386
    F
    269
    M
    328
    A
    336
    M
    224
    J
    64
    J
    229
    A
    238
    S
    267
    O
    296
    N
    405
    D
    366

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    2.6k Sightings
    J
    260
    F
    169
    M
    323
    A
    272
    M
    123
    J
    57
    J
    163
    A
    174
    S
    236
    O
    310
    N
    269
    D
    279

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    2.3k Sightings
    J
    313
    F
    218
    M
    167
    A
    219
    M
    156
    J
    81
    J
    190
    A
    153
    S
    176
    O
    219
    N
    223
    D
    190

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Sand Eel

    Sand Eel

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    181
    F
    193
    M
    137
    A
    139
    M
    98
    J
    77
    J
    126
    A
    165
    S
    93
    O
    184
    N
    149
    D
    143

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    99
    F
    109
    M
    162
    A
    132
    M
    115
    J
    39
    J
    161
    A
    171
    S
    112
    O
    182
    N
    182
    D
    203

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    112
    F
    126
    M
    138
    A
    172
    M
    108
    J
    55
    J
    117
    A
    102
    S
    140
    O
    224
    N
    195
    D
    173