A trip to the Maldives would be incomplete if you didn't take a peak underneath the surface and discover a hole new world. The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty. The profusion of psychedelic colours and the abundance and variety of life underwater have fascinated divers and snorkellers since Maldives was discovered as a diving destination. The reefs are so abundant and early mariners said the island were so numerous and the channels so narrow that ships yards touched the trees of islands on either side.

Diving may be in shallow reef gardens filled with fish, or round thilas (submerged reefs) in strong currents. The Maldives has some of the best dive sites in the world and many visit the Maldives repeatedly for the sole purpose of diving.

Scuba diving

Maldives has become top of the list of the world's greatest diving destination. It's no surprise with such amazing coral reefs and all the multicolor fish swimming around.

As the oceanic currents eroded the atolls' rims they created channels, and today these channels provide some extraordinary diving. The tides of the Indian Ocean flow in and out through the channels, and in so doing concentrate millions and millions of microscopic plant cells, tiny marine animals and larvae, collectively called plankton.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a one of the most favourite past times of a large majority of visitors to the Maldives.  You don’t need to be a deep sea diver to see what lies beneath the tropical waters of the Maldives. Snorkelling over the shallow crystal clear water of the island lagoon or at the edge of the reef is an ideal way to explore the underwater world. House reefs of most of the islands are just a few meters away from the beach. Small angel fish wiggle itself out of the coral and all the various coloured fish swimming arount the coral reefs.

Night diving

Go in for night diving and you will be transported into a magical world. Corals open up and extend their flower like tentacles in the evening! Spiders and shrimps leave their tubular sponges in search of food. The experience is made more enchanting by the presence of moonlight. Visibility is reduced to the narrow tunnel of light from your torch.

If you want to push the adventure further, GP also organizes scuba diving trips, as our boats are equipped with the state of art scuba dibing gear. One of our members is fully licensed dive master who has been guiding scuba diving expeditions for may years.

Tips for snorkling

Choose a mask that fits.

Choose a pair of fins that fit your feet comfortably and a snorkel that fits easily in to your mouth

Get advice on the best snorkelling spots and how to reach them.

Never swim against a current, swim diagonally across it.

Avoid snorkeling at dusk.

Don't feed the fish.

Wear a t-shirt to protect yourself from the sun and a waterproof sunscreen on exposed areas of your skin such as the neck and the back of your knees.

Do not walk or step on the corals, to protect yourself and the corals from injury and damage.

Tips for night diving

Arrive before sunset, it gives you time to load and assemble your gear.

Orient yourself to your surroundings, and check important dive site information while you still have enough light to do so.

Pack new batteries and bring extras. You don’t want to have your dive light die on you.