Manta paradise in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve: Baa Atoll 

Baa Atoll is the first and, so far, only Maldivian atoll to be declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Its untouched underwater world attracts a wealth of marine life, especially manta rays. Chiefly during the wet summer season, the famous Hanifaru Bay becomes a popular feeding spot for these gentle giants. In an effort to protect the animals, scuba diving has been banned in the bay since 2012, but snorkelling and freediving are still permitted. Given the atoll’s size, scuba divers are likely to encounter manta rays, as well as whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and large schools of barracuda and batfish in many other spots.

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Lhaviyani Atoll – diving at ‘Turtle Airport’ 

The Kuredu Caves in the Lhaviyani Atoll are a truly unique dive site. Better known as ‘Turtle Airport’, the site boasts a very special phenomenon: the overhangs of the Kuredu Caves are home to a large population of green sea turtles. Although turtles are usually solitary creatures, here groups of them spend the days dozing together, only swimming to the surface for air. Given this unique environment, the Prodivers Maldives Dive Center has developed a special PADI course, the Sea Turtle Speciality Course, available for scuba divers and snorkellers (divers must be in possession of an open water diving certificate). These strong and fascinating creatures can, of course, also be visited without having completed the course.

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Filitheyo – for abundant diving 

Having a proper house reef is a big plus for eager divers. Four or more entry points offer abundant opportunities for additional dives to the house reef, even after returning from a boat diving trip. There are as many as eight entry points to the house reef of Filitheyo, which is the only tourist island in the North Nilandhe Atoll. As well as fabulous diving conditions at the house reef, there are two shipwrecks and several other excellent diving spots in the vicinity. The Werner Lau Diving Center provides excellent diving facilities. Werner Lau is one of the best-known diving centres in the Maldives and operates diving schools on other islands besides Filitheyo, including Bathala, Hondaafushi and Medhufushi. Featuring six entry points, the island of Bathala, which is less than 500 feet (150 m) wide, is highly suitable for divers looking to do lots of dives. The facilities on Bathala were recently fully renovated and modernised. As of 2019, the island is home to the four-star Sandies Bathala resort.

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Snorkel to your heart’s content 

Coral reefs rich in fish and other species make the Maldives a dream come true for snorkelling aficionados. For the best snorkelling experience, snorkellers are advised to choose an island with a house reef. Islands fully surrounded by a coral reef, such as Bathala, Bandos, Emboodhoo (Embudu) or Ellaidhoo, are ideal. Snorkellers can expect to see myriad fish in all the colours of the rainbow, as well as sea turtles, rays and even sharks. Most of the islands’ house reefs can be reached via a jetty. To protect the reefs, they should never be touched or entered. Snorkellers need to be particularly careful at low tide in order to avoid contact with the corals and to prevent injuries. The small island of Emboodhoo, also known as Embudu, is a popular snorkellers’ choice. Accommodation is available in the Embudu Village, and Diverland is the go-to for all your snorkelling needs.