Central Atolls
The Central Atolls are the most well known and populated region of the Maldives.
Explore 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)
Places to explore
Courses and Events
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
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: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
24k Sightings
J
2.2k
F
2.1k
M
2.2k
A
2.1k
M
1.3k
J
785
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: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
17k Sightings
J
1.6k
F
1.7k
M
2k
A
1.8k
M
900
J
541
J
991
A
1.3k
S
1.1k
O
1.5k
N
1.8k
D
1.7k
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
14k Sightings
J
1.3k
F
1.4k
M
1.6k
A
1.3k
M
727
J
516
J
1k
A
1.2k
S
900
O
1.2k
N
1.4k
D
1.3k
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
10k Sightings
J
1k
F
1k
M
998
A
682
M
417
J
201
J
392
A
786
S
878
O
1.3k
N
1.4k
D
971
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins
Hawksbill Turtle
8.3k Sightings
J
784
F
763
M
826
A
672
M
458
J
340
J
710
A
746
S
581
O
764
N
921
D
747
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
7.3k Sightings
J
798
F
690
M
706
A
609
M
354
J
303
J
578
A
661
S
451
O
727
N
807
D
660
Alamy/Fiona Ayerst
Tiger Shark
3.9k Sightings
J
323
F
611
M
672
A
344
M
217
J
86
J
168
A
272
S
233
O
189
N
456
D
298
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
3.5k Sightings
J
381
F
382
M
400
A
345
M
119
J
82
J
204
A
305
S
215
O
294
N
428
D
368
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
3.2k Sightings
J
388
F
325
M
473
A
356
M
166
J
54
J
138
A
134
S
191
O
343
N
415
D
258
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
2k Sightings
J
218
F
216
M
233
A
143
M
89
J
58
J
111
A
170
S
173
O
231
N
203
D
174
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark
29k Sightings
J
3k
F
2.9k
M
3.3k
A
2.7k
M
1.4k
J
791
J
1.8k
A
2.3k
S
2k
O
2.9k
N
3.5k
D
2.8k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 28
Udo Kefrig
Clownfish
21k Sightings
J
1.9k
F
1.8k
M
1.9k
A
1.7k
M
1.2k
J
738
J
1.5k
A
1.9k
S
1.6k
O
2.2k
N
2.4k
D
2k
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark
19k Sightings
J
2k
F
2.1k
M
2.2k
A
1.5k
M
807
J
411
J
952
A
1.4k
S
1.2k
O
1.8k
N
2.2k
D
2k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
18k Sightings
J
1.8k
F
1.7k
M
1.7k
A
1.5k
M
970
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: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
16k Sightings
J
1.6k
F
1.5k
M
1.4k
A
1.3k
M
901
J
652
J
1.2k
A
1.5k
S
1.2k
O
1.7k
N
1.7k
D
1.5k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 40
iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish
15k Sightings
J
1.5k
F
1.4k
M
1.4k
A
1.2k
M
756
J
591
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: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
15k Sightings
J
1.4k
F
1.3k
M
1.3k
A
1.2k
M
877
J
557
J
1.1k
A
1.4k
S
1.1k
O
1.6k
N
1.6k
D
1.3k
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark
14k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.4k
M
1.4k
A
1.4k
M
702
J
466
J
1k
A
1.2k
S
1k
O
1.5k
N
1.4k
D
1.3k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 85
iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish
14k Sightings
J
1.4k
F
1.2k
M
1.2k
A
1.1k
M
753
J
577
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: 150
Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts
13k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1.1k
M
1.1k
A
959
M
687
J
529
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: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
12k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
1k
M
944
A
979
M
732
J
534
J
977
A
1.2k
S
963
O
1.3k
N
1.4k
D
1.2k
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
12k Sightings
J
1.2k
F
952
M
909
A
967
M
703
J
473
J
922
A
1.2k
S
916
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: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
11k Sightings
J
1.1k
F
1.1k
M
1.3k
A
968
M
562
J
398
J
580
A
856
S
710
O
933
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: 15
Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
Tuna
7.2k Sightings
J
804
F
847
M
788
A
533
M
266
J
198
J
476
A
618
S
531
O
640
N
822
D
677
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets
6.5k Sightings
J
646
F
607
M
593
A
436
M
326
J
193
J
480
A
631
S
471
O
610
N
745
D
715
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 110
iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper
6.3k Sightings
J
651
F
477
M
538
A
558
M
390
J
236
J
571
A
573
S
537
O
596
N
627
D
587
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 60
iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish
6.3k Sightings
J
621
F
556
M
484
A
455
M
377
J
268
J
552
A
604
S
512
O
624
N
682
D
543
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 350
Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish
5.7k Sightings
J
610
F
491
M
418
A
379
M
356
J
273
J
469
A
536
S
405
O
667
N
554
D
534
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
5.3k Sightings
J
555
F
468
M
560
A
462
M
296
J
227
J
435
A
486
S
352
O
476
N
487
D
516
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 40
iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish
5.2k Sightings
J
478
F
467
M
449
A
505
M
379
J
219
J
399
A
394
S
384
O
463
N
530
D
498
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish
4.5k Sightings
J
459
F
377
M
318
A
315
M
295
J
227
J
415
A
396
S
410
O
500
N
408
D
397
iStock-Lindsey Dougherty
Silvertip Shark
4.1k Sightings
J
530
F
512
M
579
A
251
M
145
J
78
J
231
A
295
S
275
O
314
N
490
D
420
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish
3.7k Sightings
J
343
F
296
M
425
A
283
M
211
J
177
J
255
A
302
S
221
O
398
N
378
D
369
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 2
AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark
3.6k Sightings
J
336
F
371
M
313
A
342
M
226
J
154
J
290
A
267
S
276
O
357
N
316
D
321
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3
Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish
3.3k Sightings
J
383
F
272
M
325
A
258
M
214
J
63
J
229
A
238
S
266
O
294
N
406
D
367
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3000
SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch
2.5k Sightings
J
259
F
168
M
304
A
175
M
109
J
57
J
163
A
172
S
234
O
308
N
267
D
280
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 60
iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish
2.2k Sightings
J
310
F
219
M
155
A
170
M
128
J
80
J
190
A
153
S
172
O
219
N
222
D
192
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 30
Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel
1.6k Sightings
J
181
F
193
M
127
A
100
M
94
J
77
J
126
A
165
S
93
O
180
N
148
D
145
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish
1.6k Sightings
J
94
F
109
M
141
A
98
M
94
J
39
J
161
A
171
S
108
O
180
N
181
D
203
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 3400
Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp
1.6k Sightings
J
113
F
122
M
136
A
100
M
90
J
56
J
117
A
102
S
139
O
224
N
189
D
176
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 80
iStock-bearacreative
Emperor
1.5k Sightings
J
195
F
169
M
126
A
90
M
70
J
65
J
152
A
125
S
105
O
115
N
124
D
142