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The Maldives is one of the best diving destinations of the world. Divers can see mantas, whale sharks, valleys of luscious soft corals, colourful gardens of hard corals, huge tunas, eagle rays, over 1000 species of fish around the reefs, countless species of invertebrates. The atolls of the Maldives are dotted with hundreds of dive sites with many more yet to be discovered.

The thila or circular reefs, enclosing a shallow lagoon, are some of the best dive sites.

Reef life is prolific with the species of marine life estimated to be in their tens of thousands. Frogfish, leaf fish, ghost pipefish and a multitude of nudibranchs. Whether it is the awesome manta ray, the graceful grey reef shark or the tiny, brightly coloured flatworm, the Maldives has it all.

Resorts and live-aboard in the Maldives provide high quality and often the latest in diving equipment. All resort dive schools and live-aboard diving dhonis are equipped with compressors, tanks, regulators with octopus, BCDs, masks, fins and snorkels and other equipment such as dive computers, wetsuits, weights and weight belts. The equipment is well maintained and stringent safety checks are regularly made. You may bring your own mask, fins and snorkel. If you wish to bring your own wetsuit a 3 mm full-length wetsuit or lycra suit is perfect for any time of the year. However some prefer a 5 mm wetsuit when doing more than one dive a day. Ocean temperatures rarely vary beyond 27º and 30º degrees Celsius. During hot periods water temperatures inside the lagoon increase measurably, and most divers are comfortable without a wetsuit during this period.

Note that under Maldivian diving laws all divers must have octopus regulators. Carry some spares just in case of a breakdown or shortage.

Equipment

• A regulator with instrument console, two demand valves, BC connector hose and a first stage.

• Weight belts are used to counter positive buoyancy

• Fins propel the diver through the water.

• Today mainly single high-pressure tanks are used for diving.

• Buoyancy compensators (BCs), or buoyancy control devices (BCDs), are inflatable bladders which are commonly jacket-styled.

• Torches not only light up dark places but also reveal true colour underwater.

• A dive slate is useful for conveying messages.

• Compass

• Depth gauge

• Pressure gauge

• A dive knife is essential for protection and as a tool

• The mask provides clear sight underwater by providing a window and air space in front of the eyes.

• Snorkels are used for breathing on the surface

• Booties provide protection and warmth.