The Maldives is a tropical nation located in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 26 atolls and over 1,000 coral islands. It is known for its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking sun, sea, and sand.
The Maldives is renowned for its scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities, as the coral reefs surrounding the islands are home to a wide variety of marine life, including colorful fish, turtles, and sharks. Divers can explore shipwrecks, caves, and even underwater statues.
Aside from water activities, the Maldives also offers a variety of other activities, such as island hopping, fishing, and spa treatments. Visitors can also indulge in a wide range of cuisines, including traditional Maldivian dishes, as well as international cuisine.
The Maldives is also a popular destination for luxury travel, with many high-end resorts and private islands available for visitors to stay on.
The Maldives is also famous for its environmental preservation and sustainability efforts, many of the resorts and hotels have implemented eco-friendly practices to minimize their environmental impact and preserve the natural beauty of the islands.
Overall, the Maldives is a beautiful and unique destination that offers visitors a wide variety of activities and experiences, from water sports to relaxation and luxury.
Scuba diving is a popular recreational activity that allows individuals to explore the underwater world using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA). It involves diving underwater using a diving tank filled with compressed air, a regulator to breathe through, and a diving mask to see clearly.
Scuba diving allows individuals to see a wide variety of marine life, including colorful fish, coral reefs, and shipwrecks. It is also a popular activity for photography and videography.
In addition to recreational diving, scuba diving is also used for a variety of professional purposes such as scientific research, search and rescue, and underwater construction and repair.
It is important to note that scuba diving can be dangerous if proper safety measures are not followed. Divers must always follow proper dive planning and safety procedures to minimize the risk.
Overall, scuba diving is a fun and exciting way to explore the underwater world, but it is important to always prioritize safety and follow proper training and procedures.
Recreational Scuba Diving
Recreational scuba diving is a form of diving that is done for leisure and personal enjoyment, rather than for commercial or professional purposes. It is a popular activity for people of all ages and skill levels and can be done in a variety of environments, including oceans, lakes, and quarries.
Recreational scuba diving typically involves diving to depths of 60 feet or less and staying underwater for relatively short periods of time. Divers use a diving tank filled with compressed air, a regulator to breathe through, and a diving mask to see clearly.
There are various types of recreational scuba diving, such as:
- Shore diving: Divers enter and exit the water from the shore, rather than from a boat.
- Boat diving: Divers enter and exit the water from a boat. This type of diving is popular for exploring offshore reefs and shipwrecks.
- Night diving: Divers explore the underwater world at night, which can be a unique and exciting experience.
- Drift diving: Divers allow the current to carry them along while they explore the underwater environment.
- Wreck diving: Divers explore sunken ships or other man-made structures that have become artificial reefs.
Recreational scuba diving allows individuals to see a wide variety of marine life and explore the underwater world in a safe and controlled environment. It’s an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels and can be a great way to stay active and explore the natural world.
What to See in Maldives While Diving
The Maldives is known for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life, making it a popular destination for scuba diving. Some of the things that divers can expect to see while diving in the Maldives include:
Coral reefs: The Maldives is home to a wide variety of coral reefs, including hard and soft coral. Divers can see a wide range of colors and shapes, including brain coral, staghorn coral, and elkhorn coral.
Fish: The Maldives is home to a wide variety of fish, including tropical fish, reef fish, and pelagic fish. Divers can see everything from small, brightly colored fish to large predatory fish such as sharks and tuna. Some of the common species you can see in the Maldives are Parrotfish, Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Triggerfish, and many more.
Marine mammals: Divers may also have the opportunity to see marine mammals such as dolphins and whales while diving in the Maldives.
Shipwrecks: The Maldives is home to several shipwrecks, which have become artificial reefs and are now home to a wide variety of marine life. Divers can explore these wrecks and see the fish and other marine life that have made them their home.
Manta rays: Maldives is one of the best places in the world to see Manta rays, they can be seen all year round, but the best season to see them is from May to November.
Turtles: The Maldives is home to several species of turtles, including the green turtle and hawksbill turtle. Divers can see these turtles swimming and feed around the reefs.
Overall, the Maldives is a great destination for scuba diving, offering a wide variety of marine life, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and other underwater attractions for divers to explore.
HULHUMALE
Hulhumale is an artificial island located in the Maldives, located a short distance from the capital city of Male. The island was built to address the growing population and land shortage in Male, and is considered to be one of the most ambitious land reclamation projects in the Maldives.
Hulhumale is a rapidly developing area, with a growing population and infrastructure, including new housing, schools, hospitals, and a new airport.
The island features a range of modern amenities, such as parks, playgrounds, and sports facilities. The island is also home to a range of businesses, including shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Hulhumale is also known for its long stretches of white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, making it a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and other water-based activities.
The island is also home to a large number of hotels and guesthouses, making it a popular destination for tourists looking for an affordable place to stay in the Maldives.
The island is also environmentally friendly and is designed to be sustainable, with a focus on recycling and renewable energy.
Overall, Hulhumale is a rapidly developing and modernizing destination that offers a range of amenities, water-based activities, and an affordable place to stay for tourists, and also a place where the Maldives government is taking efforts in making it a sustainable destination.
Reaching Hulumale
Hulhumale is located just a short distance from the capital city of Male and the main airport in the Maldives, Velana International Airport. There are several ways to reach Hulhumale from the airport, including:
- Public ferry: The most affordable and common way to reach Hulhumale is by taking a public ferry from the Villingili Ferry Terminal, located just a short distance from the airport. The ferry ride takes around 20-30 minutes. The ferry operates at regular intervals throughout the day, and the schedule can be found on the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) website.
- Speedboat: Another option is to take a speedboat from the airport to Hulhumale, which takes around 20 minutes. This option is slightly more expensive than taking the public ferry, but it is faster and more convenient.
- Taxi: If you prefer not to take the ferry, you can take a taxi from the airport to Hulhumale. Taxis are available outside the airport and the fare is fixed.
- Private transfer: If you prefer more comfort and convenience, you can arrange for a private transfer from the airport to your hotel or guesthouse in Hulhumale. This option can be arranged through your hotel or through a travel agency.
Regardless of the transportation method you choose, it is important to note that Hulhumale is an artificial island and it is not as developed as Male city. So, it is important to check with your hotel or guesthouse for the best transportation options to reach there.
Diving in Hulumale
Since Hulhumale is an artificially created island, it is not as rich in marine life as some of the other diving destinations in the Maldives. However, it still offers some interesting things to see for divers and snorkelers.
- Artificial reef: The island is built on a reef and the artificial reef is home to a wide variety of marine life, including tropical fish, reef fish, and pelagic fish. The artificial reef is also home to a wide variety of coral, including hard and soft coral.
- Wrecks: There are a few wrecks nearby Hulhumale, which are accessible by boat, and can be explored by divers.
- Snorkeling: Hulhumale is home to several beaches that are ideal for snorkeling, and the waters around the island are clear and perfect for snorkeling.
- Marine life: It is possible to see a variety of marine life while diving or snorkeling in Hulhumale, including tropical fish, reef fish, and pelagic fish.
It is important to note that diving and snorkeling opportunities in Hulhumale are more limited compared to some of the other diving destinations in the Maldives, but it is still worth checking out if you are looking for a unique diving experience and if you are interested in diving on an artificial reef.
In addition to diving and snorkeling, visitors can also enjoy a range of water sports and other activities, such as swimming and sunbathing on the beaches and exploring the island on foot.
I chose Hulhumale for my Dive since it was closer to the airport and due to the time constraint. Hulhumale itself offers a variety of dive spots and I chose to dive with a leading Dive center called Ocean Junkies, run by a young entrepreneur called Firas. Firas is a PADI-qualified Dive instructor himself and I had a wonderful experience diving with them. The cost was about $90 for the Discover Scuba Dive.
Some of my Dive Pics:
Please see the Dive Video here:
You can find Ocean Junkies here for your bookings:
Address: Nirolhu Magu – 21 Goalhi, Hulhumale 23000, Maldives