Maldives

Asia

Scattered across the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the gem like islands of the Maldives depict the rare vision of a tropical paradise. Palm fringed islands are ringed with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear warm waters and coral reefs teeming with abundant varieties of marine flora and fauna. Truly a natural wonder, the height of the islands rarely reach above two meters.

The 1,190 islands, consisting of 26 atoll formations, are spread over an area of 90,000 square kilometers. The islands are surrounded by shallow crystal clear lagoons enclosed be coral reefs. These unique islands provide visitors with one of the most breathtaking views of underwater life in the world. The Maldives are rated among the best diving spots in the world. In this underwater environment, visibility can reach as high as sixty meters, with the average being around thirty meters. Valleys of luscious soft corals, gardens of delicate hard corals, schools of fish - reef tropicals to pelagics, red snappers, groupers, mantas and sharks can all be seen here.

While hotel based clients only have access to a limited number of good diving spots, a far greater number of extraordinary sites can be reached by live-aboard dive boats, making it the ideal holiday for experienced divers and underwater photographers.

The rainy season or monsoon as commonly thought of are misnomers in Maldives. The prevailing weather and sea conditions are generally mild making this country the perfect year-round dive destination. The dive season starts in July when the rich plankton blooms attract the big animals: MANTAS and WHALE SHARKS. The time for their sightings is July through November when the visibility averages 75 to 100 feet.