The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean, located southwest of India and Sri Lanka in the Laccadive Sea. It’s considered the most complex and vibrant atoll structures found anywhere on the planet.
The 26 coral atolls, which are made up of hundreds of islands, are known for their beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs. The capital, Malé, has a busy fish market, restaurants and shops on Majeedhee Magu along with a 17th-century mosque made of coral stone.
The Maldives offer one of the most spellbinding underwater scenes on earth. Gardens of coral reefs resemble a works of art that continue to mesmerize scuba divers from around the world. The open sea and reefs are inhabited by over 2000 species of colorful fish of various proportions. It is ale home to over 160 species of birds.
Maldivian society is rich and vibrant due to a cultural infusion from various regions such as India, Sri Lanka, and North Africa. Over centuries people in these regions have visited the Maldives while traversing through central Indian Ocean trade routes, greatly influencing their customs.
Contact us for more information about cruising in the Maldives or view yacht charters currently available in this region.
Destination Highlights
- Dive the British Loyalty Wreck, an oil tanker that was torpedoed in 1944, lying 33 meters to 16 meters below the ocean surface at Addu Atoll. It has a good covering of soft corals, and turtles, trevally and many reef fish inhabit the encrusted decks.
- For more of a challenge, checkout the deep water, outer reef dive at Rasdhoo Atoll called Hammerhead Point. Here hammerhead sharks, mantas and other large pelagics are frequent visitors.
- For more of a cultural experience, visit the “Old Friday Mosque” on Malé. This is the oldest mosque in the country, dating from 1656. It’s a beautiful structure made from coral stone.
- Snorkel or dive at the brilliant Fotteyo Atoll where numerous small caves, several large caves and various arches and holes, all decorated with colorful soft corals can be reached. Rays, reef sharks, grouper, tuna, jackfish, barracuda, turtles and even hammerhead sharks can be seen.
- Search for whale sharks along the 10km-long Dhidhdhoo Beyru, on the southwestern edge of the Ari Atoll. These giants can be spotted between May and September.
