here are hundreds of recognised and named diving sites in the Maldives . Dozens are accessible from almost all the resorts.

In general there are 4 types of Dives.

Reef Dives, Kandus, Thilas and Wrecks.

Reef Dives

The edges of a reef, where it slopes into deep water are the most interesting part of a reef to dive. Outer reef slopes, where the atoll meets the open sea, often have interesting terraces, over-hangs and caves, and visited by pelagics (open-sea fish). Visibility is usually good, but surf and currents can make for a demanding dive, inner reef slopes, in the sheltered waters inside an atoll, are generally easier dives and feature coral formations and numerous smaller reef fish.

Kandus

A Kandu is channel between islands or reefs on the outer edge of an atoll, or a channel between atolls. Kandu is suitable for drift dives. The current also provides an environment in which attractive soft corals thrive. Water inside an atoll is a breeding ground for plankton, and where this water flows out through a Kandu into the open sea.

The rich supply of plankton attracts large animals such as manta rays and whale sharks.

Thilas

A Thila is a coral formation that rises steeply from the atoll floor and reaches to within five to 15m of the water surface - often it's a spectacular underwater mountain which divers fly around like birds.

The top of a Thila can be rich in reef fish and hard coral, while the steep sides often have crannies, cave and overhangs which provide shelter for many small fish, while larger fish come in turn to feed the smaller fish.

Wrecks

While many ships have foundered on Maldivian reefs over the centuries, there are few accessible wrecks with historical interest. Those which have historical interest requires permission from the government to dive. The accessible diving wrecks are mostly outside the atolls. They are of special interest for the coral and other marine life which colonises the hulk within the wrecks.