Embudu Village

The Central Atolls of the Maldives—North & South Malé, North & South Ari, and Rasdhoo Atolls—are a diver’s dream. This region offers a perfect blend of accessible house reefs, thrilling boat dives, and an abundance of marine life, catering to divers of all levels. For those looking to explore the best dive sites across the whole region, liveaboards are a popular choice, providing easy access to remote and pristine locations. Whether you're learning to dive, seeking encounters with manta rays and whale sharks, or enjoying a liveaboard adventure, the Central Atolls are a must-visit diving destination.

Learning to Dive

The Central Atolls are an excellent place for beginners to start their diving journey. Resorts across the North and South Malé Atolls offer calm lagoons with gentle currents, ideal for learning the basics in a safe and relaxed environment. Dive centres are plentiful, providing professional PADI and SSI courses, from entry-level Open Water certifications to more advanced training.

The abundance of vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life means even novice divers can experience unforgettable underwater encounters. Many house reefs and shallow dive sites are easily accessible from resorts, allowing learners to gain confidence in stunning surroundings without venturing too far from shore. For those wanting to explore further, boat trips are readily available, offering deeper dive sites once learners are comfortable.

Qualified Divers

For qualified divers, the Central Atolls offer an exciting variety of dive sites that can be explored from either land-based resorts or liveaboards. Liveaboards are particularly popular here, offering divers the chance to explore the full range of dive sites, from the iconic Rasdhoo Atoll with its shark encounters to the manta ray cleaning stations in the South Ari Atoll.

Liveaboard trips typically visit a mix of channels, thilas (pinnacles), and deep drop-offs, offering a variety of dive experiences, from thrilling drift dives to tranquil coral gardens. Many sites are suitable for advanced divers due to stronger currents, particularly around the channel entrances where pelagic species like reef sharks, eagle rays, and barracudas often patrol.

Whether you're a seasoned resort diver or looking for an adventure aboard a liveaboard, the Central Atolls will not disappoint.

Dive Packs & Dive Courses

Dive packages start from as few as one dive, typically a 10-dive package is pre-booked which is unguided on the house reef. Courses from learning to dive through to dive master are available too.

Extras in Resort (if applicable)

Items payable in resort include supplement for boat dives, private guide, and certain sites. Nitrox is available at a charge alongside 15L tanks. A full range of equipment is available to rent and is paid locally. Single item equipment starts from $9 per dive, please contact our helpful team to discuss your full equipment requirement and related costs.

Getting Around & Basic Information

Male airport is located on its own island. The airport island accommodates the main terminal, the seaplane port and the airport hotel (Hulhule Airport hotel). In the vast majority of cases, Male airport acts as the hub for all transfers between island resorts and atolls.

A narrow channel of water separates Male Airport Island from Male town, and a regular, inexpensive boat service operates between the two islands.

Once you're on your island resort, there's no ‘public’ transport to get around to other islands, you need to organise local excursions and join guided trips.

Twin-centre stays, in most cases, hub through the central point of Male to reach your next island.

Climate

This tropical climate has two monsoon seasons. November to May is the northwest monsoon season, which is dry and sunny. June to October is the southeast monsoon and brings the wet season. Having said this, the period crossover of the monsoon seasons fluctuates each year and even during the wet season, one may experience weeks of solid sunshine and just showers in short, sharp bursts.

Air temperature is stable around 28–30° C and the water temperature rarely drops below 25°C. Spectacular diving takes place all year round.

Currency

Local currency is the Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR).

The tourist currency is US Dollar ($) or Euro (€). Island resorts charge in USD or Euros and bills can be settled with most internationally accepted credit cards at the end of your stay.

Time

The Maldives is +5 hours of GMT.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by seaplane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu and Addu atoll. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll and Addu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.