The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty. The profusion of psychedelic colors and the abundance and variety of life underwater have fascinated divers and snorkelers since Maldives was discovered as a diving destination. Maldives is one of the last unspoiled places on earth, with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs teeming with marine life, a unique tropical paradise for the diver.
The varied nature of dive sites in the Maldives makes it suitable for divers of all experience levels. Within each  Atoll there are sheltered reefs located away from fast flowing currents that are suitable for training new divers as well as those who have recently qualified. The dive schools are well equipped, and regulators, BCDs, computers, masks, snorkels and fins are available for hire. For those learning to dive resorts offer a variety of dive courses are conducted in several languages, with courses conducted in English, German, Italian, French and Japanese in most of the For those learning to dive all resorts conduct open water and advanced courses such as night diving, rescue diving, underwater photography. Courses such as naturalist and shark specialist courses have proved most popular due to the growing interest in the marine environment. At resorts, diving is conducted daily all year around and it is only rarely that diving has to be cancelled. Most resorts would have access to a protected reef on the leeward side of the island that enables them to dive even during times of rough seas and strong winds. 
The Maldives boasts an incredible number of dive sites in the world and many visit the Maldives repeatedly for the sole purpose of diving.
The Maldives was awarded the "World's Leading Dive Destination" and "Indian Ocean's Leading Destination" at the World Travel Awards 2006. The World Travel Awards has become the Oscar equivalent of the global tourism industry since its establishment in 1993.
Maldives have successfuly done a new world record for “Most people scuba diving simultaneously” on a single site on 25 February 2006 at Sunlight Thila in North Male’ Atoll located 9.6 km from Male’ International Airport, 958 divers dived to break the existing record of 722.
Definition of Scuba DivingScuba diving is the use of independent breathing equipment to stay underwater for long periods of time for recreational diving and professional diving. Generally the diver swims underwater, but walking and the use of diver propulsion vehicles is possible while breathing from scuba equipment. The word 'SCUBA' is an acronym for "Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus", but it is grammatically acceptable to refer to 'scuba equipment' or 'scuba apparatus' in conversation.
|
