10 of the Best Maldives Scuba Diving Resorts

Whether you’re taking your first breaths beneath the surface or you’re a dive pro, these are the best resorts in the Maldives for exploring the country’s stunning underwater world.

If you’re searching for the best Maldives scuba diving resorts, you’ve probably realised by now that you’re spoilt for choice – if not, you’re about to! The Maldives is made up of over a thousand islands surrounded by coral reefs and offers incredible marine adventures, even to the most seasoned of divers.

But whether you’re looking for manta rays, whale sharks, colourful coral gardens, or even trying scuba diving for the first time, some resorts stand out above the rest. Here are ten of the very best.

*All dive prices listed below are the minimum prices at these resorts.

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon

Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon is a beautiful island resort where palm trees fringe white sand beaches and is the perfect place for a peaceful getaway. Located in the North Ari Atoll, the resort has access to dive sites galore, making it popular among divers.

Choose from one of the 40-plus dive sites for day and night dives surrounded by awe-inspiring marine life like white tip and grey reef sharks, manta rays, turtles, and more. A popular site is Ellaidhoo’s incredible house reef that features a wreck and a 750m wall. If you’re a beginner, you’ll be well taken care of by the resort’s Dive and Sail Centre, which offers PADI courses for various experience levels.

• Atoll: North Ari Atoll
• Dive Centre: Dive and Sail Center
• Price per certified dive: $54
• Price for open water dive course: $536

Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi was one of the first luxurious island hideouts to pop up in the Maldives. Likewise, they had the only diving centre on the Baa Atoll until 1998, which is still going strong today.

Learn about the surrounding marine life from the in-house marine biologist before diving into the turquoise paradise, which boasts sharks and seasonal manta encounters. To ensure you enjoy these world-class diving experiences, there are PADI instructors ready to assist divers of all skill levels.

• Atoll: Baa Atoll
• Dive Centre: Soleni Dive Center
• Price per certified dive: $91
• Price for open water dive course: $640

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa

Kuredu Island Resort & Spa is the ultimate playground for adventurous travellers, including divers. The resort is located on the Lhaviyani Atoll, which has a diverse underwater profile suited for both beginner and experienced divers. If learning more about marine life is of interest to you, the Kuredu Island Marine Biology Center offers a great opportunity.

Under the water, eagle rays, turtles, fish, and sharks await all year round, with manta rays joining the party between September and March. Another attraction that makes the atoll worth plunging into is the plethora of shipwrecks you can explore while you’re there.

• Atoll: Lhaviyani Atoll
• Dive Centre: Providers Dive Center
• Price per certified dive: $74
• Price for open water dive course: $415

Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Sun Siyam Olhuveli is synonymous with luxury, adventure, and exclusivity thanks to its assortment of villas, watersports, and natural splendour. There are two expansive house reefs and various nearby dive sites promising underwater fun for diving enthusiasts.

What makes the sites here particularly attractive is the fact that they’re less crowded than the northern Male atoll sites. Under the surface, colourful coral reefs contrast perfectly with marine life like frogfish, turtles, sharks, and seasonal manta rays (April to October). Curating the dives is Sun Siyam Diving, which also offers many SSI courses for both novice and certified divers.

• Atoll: South Male Atoll
• Dive Centre: Sun Siyam Diving
• Price per certified dive: $76
• Price for open water dive course: $726

Finolhu

Spanning four islands and boasting magnificently clear water, Seaside Finolhu is a Maldives resort you can’t afford to miss. This is especially true for diving enthusiasts, with over 25 dive sites in close proximity to the resort.

Finolhu’s perfect location in the Baa Atoll, which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, means it has a rich marine world for you to explore, from beautiful coral gardens to manta ray cleaning stations. The multilingual Dive Butler team is there to help you make the most of your time in their little slice of paradise, whether you need a guide or you’re aiming for certification.

• Atoll: Baa Atoll
• Dive Centre: Dive Butler Finolhu
• Price per certified dive: $110
• Price for open water dive course: $765

Ayada Maldives

Ayada Maldives is a private island resort boasting lush greenery, pristine beaches, various restaurants, and breathtaking accommodation. Among the best activities here are the watersports, which include incredible diving experiences.

The resort’s PADI 5-star dive centre is headed by knowledgeable instructors who are ready to guide you on your diving excursion. Take a comprehensive course or jump into the water right after a short theory lesson. All this takes place on the untouched Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, which boasts clownfish, turtles, and other marine life.

• Atoll: Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll
• Dive Centre: Dive Kingdom International
• Price per certified dive: $95
• Price for open water dive course: $990

Cinnamon Velifushi

Another incredible Maldives scuba diving resort is Cinnamon Velifushi. It’s a great location for divers seeking seclusion in the ocean as the Vaavu Atoll is one of the least crowded in the Maldives.

Diving at the resort is run by Dive & Sail, the same operators as Cinnamon Ellaidhoo, meaning you can expect the same PADI 5-star courses and service. Vaavu Atoll boasts a unique marine life profile that includes the docile nurse shark, and divers are often lucky enough to encounter them in large numbers, particularly on night dives.

• Atoll: Vaavu Atoll
• Dive Centre: Dive and Sail Center
• Price per certified dive: $54
• Price for open water dive course: $536

OBLU Nature Helengeli

This relatively new bohemian paradise boasts luxurious accommodation surrounded by the Helengeli island’s lush, tropical greenery and beautiful beaches. The chic resort is a popular Maldives destination thanks to its exciting experiences, including endless diving opportunities.

The atoll offers a variety of dive sites, which include channels, walls, and calm lagoons, and you’ll find an abundance of stingrays, turtles, and colourful corals. 

The TGI Maldives team curates dives led by friendly PADI instructors who are ready to assist both experienced and novice divers.

• Atoll: North Male Atoll
• Dive Centre: TGI Dive & Water Sports Centre
• Price per certified dive: $72
• Price for open water dive course: $721

Kuramathi Island Resort

Relaxing spa treatments, mouthwatering cuisine, and pristine beaches are just some of the delights that await you at Kuramathi Island Resort. The eco-friendly resort is an excellent choice for all travellers but is especially great for couples and diving fanatics.

If you’re a beginner or looking to develop your skills, the team at Rasdhoo Divers will take you through an SSI or PADI course as you explore the oceanic paradise. Or if you’re an advanced diver, you’ll find plenty to challenge you with the opportunity to see mantas, a variety of sharks, turtles, and rays.

A highlight among the dive sites here is Shark Point, which offers advanced divers a rare chance to spot hammerhead sharks, although you need luck on your side. Additionally, an in-house marine biologist is on hand to share their knowledge.

• Atoll: Rasdhoo Atoll
• Dive Centre: Rasdhoo Divers
• Price per certified dive: $82
• Price for open water dive course: $670

Gangehi Island Resort and Spa

This compact resort is the perfect getaway for anyone looking for a peaceful Maldives getaway. However, this doesn’t mean there isn’t adventure to be had at the resort, with diving right at the top of the list.

Take a PADI course or enjoy an expert-led diving experience in the magnificent North Ari atoll and the island’s house reef. Conditions range from mild to wild, meaning it’s perfect for just about all diving skill levels. 

You can expect the usual coral formations, fish, and turtles all year round. The best time to visit, though, is between January and April when manta rays and whale sharks relegate the latter to supporting cast status.

• Atoll: North Ari Atoll
• Dive Centre: Gangehi Diving Center
• Price per certified dive: $82
• Price for open water dive course: $812

Have your say on the best Maldives scuba diving resorts

So that’s our roundup of the best Maldives scuba diving resorts. Narrowing them down to just ten wasn’t easy. What do you think, do you agree with our picks? Have you dived somewhere that isn’t on this list but should be? Head over to social to keep the conversation going.

And, of course, if you need any help finding the right Maldives dive resort for you, just get in touch.