Diving at the origin of Maldivian tourism
The Maldives came late to the tourist map. In the 1960s, a United Nations mission still advised against the development of tourism on the grounds that the islands were unsuitable. The first group of Italian tourists arrived in February 1972. They came to explore the pristine seabed of the Malé atoll. Two hotels with basic comforts soon opened: Kurumba and Bandos. The reputation of the splendid, easily accessible seabed spread like wildfire in the still closed world of divers. Italians, Germans and English flocked to admire the sumptuous coral gardens, colorful fish, rays and sharks that populated the atolls. The chain of islands form atolls with crystal-clear waters, excellent visibility and a wealth of pelagic resources. The passages between the open sea and the atolls witness impressive migrations of manta rays and whale sharks. The drop-offs are covered in coral and abundant vegetation, attracting fish and turtles. In the open sea, colonies of dolphins play with the waves and take boats by storm. In the evening, divers gather on white sandy beaches by the fire, telling each other wonderful stories from the deep. As tourism intensifies, hotels sprout like coconut palms on the islands. The invention of the desalinization process enabled deserted islands to be monopolized ever further from Malé. The Maldives invented the island-hotel concept, transforming confetti of white sand into luxury tropical paradises. Diving was democratized and abandoned as a technical sport for a handful of adventurous sailors. In 1998, the Maldives were hit hard by the El Niño phenomenon. As the sea warmed, coral bleaching began. By the turn of the century, almost 90% of the coral in the Maldives had died. Coral reef rescue programs have been set up, including coral nurseries and scientific missions to better understand the phenomenon. Some hotels host a marine biology laboratory, while others forge partnerships with local associations such as SaveThe Beach.
Which dive in the Maldives ?
Each island-hotel has its own diving center, often run by a reputable external service provider. English-speaking instructors also speak one or more other languages, depending on the nationalities most present in the resort. French-speaking instructors are often to be found in Maldivian dive centers. PADI certification is the most widely recognized in the archipelago, followed by SSI certification. Some dive centers also have NAUI-certified instructors, but these are rarer. There are bridges between the various international certifications and those issued by the 5 French organizations authorized to issue scuba diving certificates. The dive director will ask you to take tests and exams to validate your level in another certification. Depending on your level, you can dive between 12 and 21 meters, go on a night dive or obtain a Nitrox or deep-sea diving certificate. The centers offer all levels of certification and all the equipment required for diving on hire: mask, fins, stabilizing vest, regulator, dive computer... Each center also offers packages to keep costs down while multiplying experiences. Die-hard divers opt for dive cruises, which allow you to multiply your dive sites over longer distances. You'll spend between a week and ten days on a boat, cruising from atoll to lagoon, from pass to drop-off, in search of elegant manta rays or impressive whale sharks.
Where to dive in Maldives ?
Considered a destination of excellence for diving, the Maldives boasts a host of exceptional spots. From the clownfish made famous by the cartoon Nemo to the largest of fish, the whale shark, from the funny napoleon to the majestic manta ray, from schools of multicolored fish to graceful hawksbill turtles, the possibilities for encounters and amazement are numerous. Ari Atoll, some 30 minutes by plane from Malé, is a favorite destination for divers. This vast atoll to the south-west of the Maldivian capital, dotted with reefs and paradise islands, is renowned for the quality of its seabed, excellent visibility and the variety of its marine life. It's also the atoll of choice for whale shark watching. The island hotels of Vilamendhoo, Velidhu, Maafushivaru and Kandolhu offer some of the most beautiful drop-offs, while LUX South Ari sees whale sharks pass just off its beach. Baa Atoll has earned its reputation as an exceptional site thanks to the zooplankton drained by the currents from June to November. It's during this rainy season that you should come diving to admire manta rays and whale sharks. Baa Atoll is also home to the Maldives' first marine biosphere, established in 2011. Diving is forbidden and access for snorkellers is highly restricted, but there's a good chance you'll come across manta rays. The Mutaafushi Thila and Neliwaru Thila reefs are rich in coral and tropical fish, as well as scorpionfish, toadfish and stingrays. Further south, Meemu Atoll, more specifically off the small inhabited island of Muli, is teeming with schools of small fish. But it's also an ideal spot for the "big ones". Barracudas, white-tip sharks and grey sharks abound from December to March. From May to November, manta rays take over and come to be groomed by small fish in shallow waters. Muli Pass is located at the crossroads of strong currents, but the excellent visibility of its waters, both at depth and on the surface, attracts many experienced divers.
