Diving at the origin of Maldivian tourism
The Maldives came late to the map of tourist destinations. In the 1960s, a United Nations mission still advised against the development of tourism on the pretext that the islands were not suitable. The first group of Italian tourists was recorded in February 1972. They came to explore the virginal depths of the Malé atoll. Two hotels with basic comforts opened in the wake: Kurumba and Bandos. The reputation of the splendid and easily accessible sea beds spread like wildfire in the still closed world of divers. Italians, Germans, and English rushed to admire the sumptuous coral gardens, the colourful fish, the rays and the sharks that populate the atolls. The islands are arranged in chains and form atolls with crystal clear waters, excellent visibility and rich pelagic resources. The passages between the open sea and the atolls see impressive migrations of manta rays and whale sharks. The drop offs are covered in coral and abundant vegetation which attract fish and turtles. In the open sea, colonies of dolphins play with the waves and take the boats by surprise. In the evening, divers gather on white sandy beaches by the fire and tell each other wonderful stories from the deep sea. As tourism intensified, hotels sprang up like coconut trees on the islands. The invention of the desalination process made it possible to monopolize the deserted islands further and further away from Malé. The Maldives invented the island-hotel concept and transformed white sand confetti into a tropical paradise of great luxury. The practice of diving is democratized and detached from the image of a technical sport for a handful of adventurers. In 1998, the Maldives were hit hard by the El Niño phenomenon. The sea was getting warmer, causing coral bleaching. By the turn of the century, nearly 90% of the corals 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 are partnering with local organizations 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 as an excellent destination for diving, the Maldives has a lot of exceptional spots. From the clown fish made famous by the cartoon Nemo to the largest of fishes, the whale shark, from the funny napoleon to the majestic manta ray, from the schools of multicoloured fishes to the graceful hawksbill turtles, the possibilities of encounters and wonder are numerous. Ari Atoll, about 30 minutes by plane from Male, is a favourite destination for divers. This vast atoll located southwest of the Maldivian capital, dotted with reefs and paradise islands, is renowned for the quality of its seabed, the excellent visibility and the variety of its marine life. It is 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 has whale sharks passing by 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 is during this season, the rainy season, that one must come and dive there to admire the manta rays and whale sharks. Baa Atoll is also home to the Maldives' first marine biosphere, established in 2011. Diving is prohibited and snorkelling is highly restricted, but you are likely to see manta rays. Mutaafushi Thila and Neliwaru Thila are rich in coral and tropical fish, as well as scorpion fish, toad fish and stingrays. Further south, Meemu Atoll, and more precisely the small inhabited island of Muli, is full of schools of small fish. But it is also an ideal place 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.
