How to plan a perfect diving trip to Maldives

Diving into the turquoise depths to greet sea creatures is one of the most enchanting experiences you can ever imagine. And, the Maldives is one of the best places in the globe for diving. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are home to thriving coral reefs and hundreds of species of marine life. In this article, we discuss how to plan the perfect diving trip to the Maldives.

Look for the perfect spot for diving

The secret to enjoying diving is to find the perfect spot. Most Maldives villas come with accessibility to diving spots and organize diving trips. Find out if places like the Nova Maldives offer any diving deals to early birds. Always, trust the pros in the local area. If you are going to learn diving for the first time, the instructor will lead you to the perfect spot. But, if you are already a pro, ask the resort to guide you to the best spots. If you are still learning, you’ll need clear and relatively still waters to achieve that balance.

What are the diving spots in the Maldives?

Kandu channels – Kandu channels connect the inner atolls with the ocean. You’ll find strong currents in the channels and a rich, diverse ecosystem of marine life. The sea creatures who live in these channels love moving water and don’t go deeper than 30 meters.

Thilas and Giris – These peaks reach the top inside atolls. The thilas and giris are full of coral fields where marine life thrives. You’ll find calm waters in these and entirely different sea creatures.

Farus – Farus are located on the outside of atolls. You’ll find these along steep slopes going towards the ocean abyss. The farus are full of marine life and you can enjoy some thrilling ‘flying’ over the abyss in these locations.

How to go diving in the Maldives?

There are two ways to go scuba diving in the Maldives. You can ask your resort to organize short diving trips to nearby spots. This is convenient because all you have to do is show up in good form. You can either bring your own gear or the resort will provide you with some. The other way is to join a liveaboard tour. This type of tour is more expensive but allows you to explore numerous and varied diving spots. The good thing about the former though is that you get to experience luxury, other sea sports and relaxation along with diving. The choice is up to you, depending on your passion and needs.

How to dive safely in the Maldives?

First of all, check your equipment and take a deep breath. Before you dive, practice buoyancy and revise all your diving skills. Mental mapping helps you relax and prepare for what is ahead. Talk to your diving partner before the dive. Come up with some signals to communicate. Always, follow the dive plan and avoid deviating. Learn all you can about gas narcosis and decompression. You’ll need to know the tell-tale signs and act accordingly.

What are the essential diving tools?

Here is a checklist of diving equipment.

•         Diving cylinders

•         Scuba Buoyancy Compensator Device

•         Scuba regulator

•         Pressure and depth gauges

•         Fins and booties

•         Mask and snorkel

•         Dive computer

•         Wetsuit and gloves  

How to master scuba diving smoothly?

Remember to breathe. You are wearing an oxygen tank, and you can afford to breathe normally. Relax – then inhale and exhale slowly. Don’t be afraid to follow your instinct. And, don’t be in a hurry to go back up. A sudden change in water pressure can hurt your lungs. A good rule of thumb is to ascend slower than the bubble column that you emit as you exhale. Avoid too much movement. Water is approximately 800 times denser than air and you need to save your breath and energy with restricted movement. The key is to learn the art of patience and slow, calculated movements.