By Olaf Kiebert – aquanaut

The diving district of the Maldives is one of the most beautiful and miscellaneous underwater paradises of the world. Thanks to the variety of fishes and other maritime species the Maldives are a Eldorado for sport divers, snorkelers and nature lovers.

During the development of tourism diving schools opened on nearly every hotel island. You can learn how to dive or, as an advanced diver, go on diving tours to the atoll reefs.

Due to the big offer every tourist should make a good research before booking. Since the hotel island are situated either in the centre of the atoll, or on the outer reef or on the canals, the diving and snorkelling districts vary a lot.

Whereas along the outer reef you meet fish swarms and big fishes, there are more kinds of corals and small fishes within the inner reef. The canals between the inner and outer side of the atolls as well as the big canals between the atolls are known as the most beautiful and most interesting diving districts worldwide. This is where you will experience a unique underwater wonder world.
 
A closed house reef is important to sport divers and snorkelers. You will reach the reef ledge very fast, in order to dive among the coral world of the Maldives.   

To protect this unique nature as well as the divers` and snorkelers` health the government has enacted some rules:

• Prior to the diving holidays the medical fitness has to be checked and declared by a doctor. An according attestation has to be presented to the diving school.
• In general it is forbidden to dive without a buoyancy compensator. For their own safety even snorkelers should wear a snorkelling or swimming vest.
• Due to the geographic position of the Maldives there are real hard sea streams from time to time. You should ask the local diving school for the current situation.
• It is forbidden by law to carry threw decompression dives or to go under 30 meters.
• It is strongly forbidden to use a harpoon and to take corals or other animals out of the water – no matter if living or dead. We would like to point to the international agreement of species` protection.

All divers know that these rules have no negative influence on the diving sport. They are necessary for your own safety and make a contribution to the protection of the underwater world.

On the Maldives the beauty of nature over and under water is unique. Enjoy it!