Maldives
Season
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Also good: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Getting there
- Fly to Velana International Airport (MLE), Malé, hub with connections from Dubai, Singapore, Colombo, Doha, and direct flights from Europe.
- From Malé: speedboat (30–90 min for most mid-range resorts) or seaplane (15–45 min for remote islands, daylight only, so late arrivals mean a Malé overnight).
- Liveaboards depart from Malé harbour.
Minimum stay
5 nights (7+ for liveaboards)
Good for your first trip if
Open Water minimum. Advanced OW strongly recommended for channel dives, currents can be strong and shift fast. Hyperbaric chambers are spread across several atolls, so ask your operator which is nearest. Remote resort locations make evacuation slow, dive conservatively and ensure your insurance includes dive coverage and medevac.
Know before you go
- Chambers listed by sources include Bandos, Kuredu, Kuramathi, Kandima, ADK Hospital in Malé and the state-run centre in Guraidhoo (checked 2 Nov 2026).
- Ask your operator which is nearest and whether it is operating; evacuation from remote atolls can take hours.
- Dive conservatively.
- The pull of whale sharks and mantas can tempt divers to ignore depth and time limits; a conservative computer profile is non-negotiable here.
- Medevac cover in your dive insurance is essential, not optional.
