Scuba diving in Male and outer islands

Maldives is one of the world's top scuba diving destinations and the capital, Male, is the top diving spot in the country. From here, you have plenty of diving resorts to choose from to rent out equipment and guides. The water is warm throughout the year. Water visibility is excellent and wrecks and marine life (like manta rays and sharks) are abundant.

Lycra diveskins and 3mm shorties are also plenty. You can find decompression chambers from Kuramathi in Alifu and from Bandus in Kaafu (15 minutes away from Male).

Beware, though, that prices in the Maldives are higher than Asian standards. A single dive tour through boat, for example, costs at least $50 per person, while an hour's rent of gear costs at least $75. Be vigilant, too, about surcharges. You may be charged extra for guided dives, larger tanks, boat use, etc. You also have to get further from Male to have more chances to see large pellagics like whalesharks.

Despite the high prices, you can be assured that the safety standards in the Maldives are high. They strictly adhere to protocol like maximum depth, check dives, etc.