Maldives - Land-based diving in August (bonus: short boat rides & childcare)

[batts]

Hi, we are considering a trip to the Maldives in early August 2025. We are experienced divers, but we've never dove the Maldives. We need a resort instead of a liveaboard because we are traveling with two small children. Our top priority is excellent diving, ideally with short boat rides (and if possible small groups). We understand that most resorts can provide childcare. In a perfect world, we would like a resort with a beach and a house reef (snorkeling for older child).

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

 

[Jay_Remi]

If I were you I would avoid the Maldives in July and August like the plague. These are the worst months to dive (and travel) there. Weather can be very bad (rain, storms, trips sometimes even canceled) and bad visibility underwater. As far as resorts are concerned, there are more than a hundred in the Maldives. It very much depends on your budget, but they all more or less offer the same amenities. I would recommend one that is accessible by short speedboat transfer (to avoid sea plane). Hence you can consider some in North Male (Club Med is quite nice for families, they got tons of activities for kids, and you are close to many nice dive sites) Or in Vaavu atoll, where you got some good diving. People usually go to South Ari, as diving there is very nice. Just be prepared for heavy rain.

 

[batts]

If I were you I would avoid the Maldives in July and August like the plague. These are the worst months to dive (and travel) there. Weather can be very bad (rain, storms, trips sometimes even canceled) and bad visibility underwater. As far as resorts are concerned, there are more than a hundred in the Maldives. It very much depends on your budget, but they all more or less offer the same amenities. I would recommend one that is accessible by short speedboat transfer (to avoid sea plane). Hence you can consider some in North Male (Club Med is quite nice for families, they got tons of activities for kids, and you are close to many nice dive sites) Or in Vaavu atoll, where you got some good diving. People usually go to South Ari, as diving there is very nice. Just be prepared for heavy rain.

Thanks, Jay - really appreciate the response even if it's not what I wanted to hear. We were hoping early-August could be good for mantas and whale sharks even if there is some rain and some decrease in visibility. But it sounds like we should expect bad visibility and lots of rain? We will definitely check out Club Med, Vaavu atoll and South Ari. We don't mind taking a sea plane. Our primary considerations would be great diving (healthy reefs and maximum opportunity for pelagics) and a nice swimming area.

 

[Jay_Remi]

Thanks, Jay - really appreciate the response even if it's not what I wanted to hear. We were hoping early-August could be good for mantas and whale sharks even if there is some rain and some decrease in visibility. But it sounds like we should expect bad visibility and lots of rain? We will definitely check out Club Med, Vaavu atoll and South Ari. We don't mind taking a sea plane. Our primary considerations would be great diving (healthy reefs and maximum opportunity for pelagics) and a nice swimming area.

Whale sharks can be spotted when snorkeling in South Ari atoll all year long. I would not recommend it though as it's a real circus with dozens of boats with 20 guests each, jumping in the water as soon as a whale shark is spotted, barely seeing it for 10 seconds and it's gone. Mantas, you can see them from June to November, in most manta points in various atolls, including (but not only) in North Male and Ari atoll. Yes, you will have poor visibility during those months, and the highest risk of heavy rain in August (so you pay premium dollars to stay in an expensive resort and barely able to enjoy the beach). Maldives best season is from December to April.

 

[Blackcrusader]

I was just at Manta Point for two dives back to back the other day.

We saw Manta on both dives but on the second dive a group from another boat left 5 minutes before I got this... I was on nitrox and found a spot behind a large outcrop as the currents were swirling.

Dove with Raajje Divers and they were great. We are off peak season right now so we only had myself and buddy on the boat. Almost you could say a private boat and guide and our guide Fish was great. He let us do out dives as we wanted and just tagged along and for him he was telling me it was relaxing for him as he never needed to check our NDL or air after the second dive. My buddy and I stayed at a small hotel not a resort.