The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty. The profusion of psychedelic colours and the abundance and variety of life underwater have fascinated divers and snorkellers since Maldives was discovered as a diving destination. The highest level of visibility that one could expect- sometimes exceeding 50 metres - and warm temperatures throughout the year makes diving in the Maldives a delight you would want to experience over and over again. The Maldives has some of the best dive sites in the world and many visit the Maldives repeatedly for the sole purpose of diving.

All resorts in the Maldives have professional dive schools with multi-lingual instructors and conduct courses for beginners as well as the advanced.

Many of the resorts have excellent house reefs. Just a short swim from the beach and snorkellers too can experience the same pleasures from the surface.

Useful local terms:

Falhu Lagoon encircled by a reef sometimes with one or more islands inside
Faru Large reef partially exposed at low tide Finolhu Island with few or no coconut trees
Fushi Big island usually on the outside reefs of the island
Futtaru Reef where waves break
Giri Small patch of coral a couple of metres below the surface
Halu Clearing in lagoon
Kandhu Sea inside atoll
Kandu Olhi Channel
Maa Kandu Sea outside atoll
Thila Coral reef a few metres below the surface
Vilu Deep area inside lagoon