Emperor Explorer, Maldives

The Maldives have good diving all year, but the best time depends on your preferences and which marine life you want to see. The northeast monsoon-which runs from November until April-is the best time if you like to dive in tranquil seas with exceptional visibility; during this time, manta rays and whale sharks can be found at cleaning stations and plankton-rich feeding grounds throughout the Central Atolls. This time of the year is also pretty action-packed during channel dives, with sightings of reef sharks and other marine life. The Deep South Atolls are at their best from January to March, when strong currents bring in pelagic species like hammerheads, tiger sharks, and silky sharks into the nutrient-rich channels. Just the time for shark aficionados who are after full-action dives. In the Maldives, water temperature does not fluctuate much during a year- from 27° to 30°C, from 81° to 86°F. Those are excellent conditionsforg for a dive- you can dive comfortably either with minimal protection like a 3mm wetsuit or a shorty or even without a wetsuit for some divers.

The Maldives is a haven for marine biodiversity, offering encounters with a variety of species. Manta rays can be commonly seen all year, especially in cleaning stations and feeding areas during the two monsoon seasons. Whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean, are found within specific areas-including the South Ari Marine Protected Area-and less frequently on night dives in the southern atolls. The sharks are a big highlight and include grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, and black-tip reef sharks that are residents all year round. Pelagic species known to visit the southern atolls include tiger sharks, hammerheads, silky sharks, and thresher sharks. Coral reefs are home to turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and schools of reef fish such as fusiliers, snappers, and trevallies. The intricate detail of macro life includes nudibranchs, shrimps, and ghost pipefish. Unique dive sites, such as Alimatha in Vaavu Atoll, stage unforgettable gatherings of nurse sharks every night. From the pelagic giants down to vibrant reef species and intricate macro life, the Maldives stand among the most diverse diving destinations in the world.

The Maldives is an island country in the tropics, situated in the Indian Ocean southwest of India and Sri Lanka. It encompasses 26 large atolls or collections of coral islands, more than 1,000 individual islands in total, each dispersed over approximately 90,000 square kilometers. Maldives is internationally known for its water so fine and turquoise-colored, excellent breath-taking reefs, and diverse marine life. Most tourists enter through Velana International Airport, formerly known as Malé International Airport, situated on the island of Hulhulé close to the capital, Malé. The airport has fairly good connectivity with major cities in Asia and Europe, and even the Middle East, with airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines flying regularly. Transfers from Malé are organized by the liveaboard operators and resorts by speedboat, domestic flights, or seaplanes, depending on distance and location. It is highly recommended that you plan your trip in combination with your liveaboard or resort for smooth connections. Since most trips embark and end in Malé, arriving and departing the Maldives is easy and convenient

The best of Maldives itinerary will take the divers to some of the most celebrated sites across Male, Ari, and Vaavu Atolls. The route covers channels or kandus, pinnacles or thilas, and cleaning stations with a variety to offer the divers. One of the more spectacular highlights along the route is Fish Head in Ari Atoll. This medium-sized pinnacle is home to turtles, patrolling grey reef sharks, and schools of fusiliers pursued by trevallies. The site also includes overhangs and thousands of vibrant blue line snappers that add to the dynamic underwater scene. In Alimatha, Vaavu Atoll, a night dive or one shortly after sunset discloses the image of nurse sharks up to three meters in length for an unforgettable close encounter. The itinerary is flexible according to weather conditions and marine activity to guarantee the best diving experiences throughout the year. Each dive is carefully planned to offer the most enjoyable time with the Maldivian underwater treasures, keeping safety and comfort in mind