Spotted eagle rays on a night dive at Como Maalafushi.
Overwater bungalow at Como Maalafushi.
COMO Maalifushi, Thaa Atoll
Located in the secluded southwest Maldives, surrounded by deserted islands, COMO Maalifushi is the perfect location for a serene escape to explore the atoll’s thriving marine life. Just a 60-minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport, COMO’s largest private island property was the first resort to be built in the remote Thaa Atoll and provides a wide range of activities to explore the ocean’s pristine wonders.
The nearby reefs, almost entirely untouched by mankind, provide a haven for all divers. You can encounter whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, hawksbill turtles and vibrant coral environments. Whether you prefer relaxing reef dives or are keen to explore more challenging depths whilst swimming with sharks, the variety of dive sites nearby offer wonderful opportunities to suit all preferences.
As one of the least developed atolls in the Maldives, new dive sites are continually being added to the list of 32 that you can currently visit. From fly fishing in the Atoll’s colourful fishing grounds to snorkelling with whale sharks by moonlight, COMO Maalifushi provides a luxurious base to discover the treasures of this magnificent underwater environment.
SCUBA diver with whale shark (©Mirihi).
See sea anemones and tropical fish at the local reefs.
Dine under the Milkyway on a private beach
Swim alongside turtles.
Take a dive with the guides at the Mirihi housereef.
"The South Ari Atoll is renowned amongst divers for offering some of the best dive sites in the Maldives. "
Mirihi, South Ari Atoll
With an abundance of marine life, varied topography and over 50 dive sites to choose from, the Atoll enjoys an excellent reputation for diving holidays. Although it is busier than the remote diving sites further south, it still provides a great variety of underwater experiences, from observing manta cleaning stations to glimpsing grey reef, silvertip and leopard sharks.
Mirihi is a small, popular island resort – think barefoot chic luxury. It is quiet, rustic and has a laid-back ambience where you can expect a personable approach from the staff. Situated near mesmerisingly colourful diving sites and fringed by an impressive house reef, Mirihi offers excellent services for divers and snorkelers as a PADI 5* Dive Centre. The onsite Ocean-Pro team accommodates all skill levels and provides courses that cater for beginners through to advanced rescue divers, allowing you to maximise your time in the water.
Additionally, divers can learn about the conservation of the precious marine environment from resident Marine Biologist, Lynn Kessler, who works on several projects with various NGOs. You can also visit the fascinating and successful Mirihi Coral Garden Development Project.
Overwater villa with water slide at Soneva Fushi
Pilot whales in the waters around Soneva Fushi
Soneva Fushi, Baa Atoll
Covering an area of over 139,000 hectares in the central region of the Maldives atoll chain, the Baa Atoll is notable for its unique status as the only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the Indian Ocean. This highly protected area includes vital habitats such as coral reefs, islands and mangroves that support the rich biodiversity of the atoll. A spectacular array of marine species rely on this environment for survival including manta rays, whale sharks, and endangered species like the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, and tawny nurse shark.
Soneva Fushi is nestled within the lush jungle, white sand beaches and turquoise waters of Kunfunadhoo, one of the largest islands in the Maldives. This private island resort was founded by Sonu Shivdasani (OBE) and his wife Eva, who pioneered luxury with environmental responsibility in the country. The resort’s Soleni Dive Centre keeps diving group sizes small and its multi-lingual PADI instructors offer world-class diving experiences across over 30 diving sites.
Guests can enjoy memorable experiences such as snorkelling with Soneva Fushi’s resident Marine Biologist, swimming with one of the world’s largest populations of manta rays at Hanifaru Bay, and exploring reefs teeming with tropical fish and coral during the Baa Atoll Discovery experience. Spend days immersed in the underwater treasures of the reefs encircling the island, and nights observing the star-filled skies from the resort’s world-class observatory.
For highly bespoke and exclusive guest experiences, discuss your ideal Maldives getaway with our specialist team who will ensure your diving adventure holiday in this enchanting destination is simply unforgettable.
