The top 4 Maldives attractions that you simply have to experience. From scuba diving and snorkelling, to island-hopping and deep sea fishing. Check out how Boataffair can help you make the most of the Maldives aboard a luxury charter yacht.
The Maldives is a paradisal island-country with plenty of ocean-based attractions to offer the intrepid traveler. With crystal clear waters rich with marine life, scuba diving is one of the most sought-after Maldives tourist attractions. Yacht charters, snorkel tours, and fishing trips are also considered prime pastimes for those in need of the ultimate holiday on the exotic seas.
When it comes to scuba diving, the Maldives goes unmatched by most other dive destinations around the world. Composed of 26 atolls (ring-shaped reefs) and roughly 1,200 islands, the geography of the Maldives creates dozens of epic dive sites favored by both large pelagics (like manta rays and whale sharks) and fascinating macro-critters (like frogfish and nudibranch).
Abundant marine life, robust corals, and clear tropical waters form a trifecta that entices divers from every corner of the planet. Lagoons, underwater pinnacles, caverns, swim-throughs, overhangs, and drop-offs are just some of the features to expect during a dive, many of which are performed at a leisurely drift, allowing divers to flow with the currents.
A Maldives yacht charter is the most incredible way to access the best dive sites the country has to offer. Boataffair have a number of Snorkelling & Diving luxury yacht experiences in Maldives, and our team will work closely with you to curate your perfect yacht experience.
It’s difficult to pick the best dives in the Maldives because of the rich biodiversity, different underwater environment, and varying degrees of experience needed for some dives.
Shark diving is very popular in the Maldives. Divers who wish to see sharks and other pelagic fish should include Fish Head, Manta Point, Hammerhead Point, Fuvahmulah, and Sun Island (which is open to even very beginner divers).
Those divers without an agenda for specific creatures will love dives at Maaya Thila, Fotteyo Kandu, and Kandooma Thila, all of which offer an array of marine life and underwater compositions.
Although the Maldives is known for sharks, turtles, and larger pelagics, macro-lovers will find plenty to photograph at sites like Bathala Thila and Chaaya Reef Ellaidhoo.
You know where you want to dive, now the question is, how do you get there? The Maldives houses over 100 dive resorts scattered throughout the islands, most of which are part of a larger hotel or accommodation. Even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, you can still dive with the on-site dive centers. The key is to find a dive resort on the island you’re closest to and find out if they offer trips to the sites you want to visit. Prodivers, a 5-star PADI dive center, has dive shops on multiple atolls and are all conveniently located to the best dive sites. Island Divers, Bluetribe Moofushi, and Dive Bandos all have excellent reputations.
Liveaboards are extremely popular for travellers seeking multiple days of diving. Maldives Aggressor II and MV Carpe Diem are top-notch liveaboard providers.
January – April is considered the best season for scuba diving in the Maldives, because visibility is at its peak.
June – November is considered the best time to see manta rays and whale sharks, however visibility may be reduced due to an increase of plankton in the water.
The tropical climate and water temperature that hover between 26°C – 30°C allow for year-round diving in the Maldives. The monsoon season affects the visibility and what type of creatures you’ll most likely encounter. Divers can weigh their options and choose which season reaps the greatest rewards for their preferences.
Snorkelers can see just as much marine life as scuba divers on a Maldives yacht charter thanks to the many shallow reefs and rich biodiversity of marine life around all the islands.
Baa Atoll’s Hanifaru Bay (a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve) is a manta ray feeding hot spot and one of the best snorkeling locations in the Maldives. Banana Reef and HP Reef (AKA Rainbow Reef) sit close to Male Atoll and offer the chance to see rays, snappers, barracudas, and even sharks.
There are an overwhelming number of superb snorkeling spots in the Maldives, however North and South Ari Atoll and North Male Atoll are grouped among the best Maldives islands for snorkeling.
Additionally, Mirihi Island is known for having one of the best house reefs in the Maldives with damsels, jack fish, and small sharks lying just below the water’s surface. Angsana Ihuru boasts over 150 fish species, turtles, and rays cruising around its shallow reef. Mudhdhoo Island, located in the Baa Atoll, resides inside the country’s only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, so it goes without saying that the snorkeling here is pristine.
It’s hard to resist island hopping in a country that’s made up of over 1,000 islands. Why would you stick to one when you have literally hundreds of options? Luckily, when you’re aboard a Boataffair luxury yacht charter, you don’t have to.
Most of our charters start in Male, which is convenient for those who fly into Velana International Airport (VIA). From there, you can check out Maafushi to learn more about the local culture, Biyadhoo for scuba diving, and Fulidhoo for its pristine beauty before moving on to Mirihi, an island awash with romance.
The Boataffair team are here to help you curate your dream Maldives island-hopping itinerary that may include scuba diving and snorkeling in the deep-sea southern atolls. If you’re looking for an idyllic spot for a deserted island picnic and seclusion, you can explore uninhabited Maldives island on Boataffair’s Desert Island Cruise. There are dozens of routes to take and options to consider, so let your interests be your guide!
It almost goes without saying that the Maldives’ rich marine life makes it an excellent area for deep sea fishing. Boataffair provides two of the top deep sea fishing experiences aboard their fleet of Maldivian luxury yachts.
Big game fishing typically takes place outside the atolls in the early morning with the hopes of reeling in sailfish, marlin, tuna, swordfish, and barracuda. Additionally, floating on a dark and quiet sea under the twinkling stars is a quintessential Maldivian fishing experience.
Night fishing offers an alternate experience and is another way to reel in a different type of catch if you’re after smaller fish like jack fish, squirrel fish, emperors, and snappers.
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A yacht charter in the Maldives can be molded to nearly any traveler’s preference. Whether you’re into the more adventurous sports like scuba diving or prefer more leisurely pastimes like snorkeling and fishing, Boataffair’s fleet of luxury charter yachts and experiences were built to suit your every desire.
