LUXURY DIVING HOLIDAYS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

Overview

Diving holidays in the Indian Ocean conjure up idyllic images of powder-white beaches, crystal clear azure waters and excellent visibility. Combining ease of travel with a reasonable time difference, it is no surprise that Reefscape clients choose to go back to the picture-perfect islands of the Maldives and the Seychelles time and time again.

El Niño has undoubtedly wreaked havoc on some coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, but we at Reefscape know the best dive sites to access across these island nations to ensure world class scuba diving experiences. Big fish favourites include encounters with whale sharks, reef sharks, threshers, tiger sharks, eagle rays and manta rays, whilst macro and coral enthusiasts can seek out the very best spots to dive on relatively untouched reefs all whilst staying in hotels with some of the best luxury and service levels anywhere on Earth.

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Turtle, Thaa atoll

A couples beach picnic on Alphonse Island

Beach picnic, Alphonse Island

Schooling Jackfish, Thaa Atoll

Sailfish snorkelling, Alphonse Island

table corals, thaa atoll

Yellow coral, thaa atoll

Turtle hatchling

Nudibranch, Alphonse Island

Deserted beach, fuvahmulah

Anemone fish, Alphonse Island

In Depth

The Maldives has long been hailed as a honeymoon heaven, but for families and solo divers alike, this remains a firm favourite in our camp, with exceptional diving setups located across the coralline atolls. Divers and snorkellers will want to make sure they are in the right atoll at the right time of year to see the marine life they wish, and that is where our expertise comes in. We have personally vetted over 30 different resorts in the Maldives across virtually all atolls, seeking out the best dive sites, top luxury hotels and best liveaboards.

In our winter months, visibility can reach 30m+, whilst the summer brings in rich nutrients and the megafauna follow. Baa Atoll is an official UNESCO World Heritage site, with the famous Hanifaru Bay bringing the once in a lifetime experience of being surrounded by trains of feeding mantas. South Ari Atoll is a whale shark hot spot and there are some incredible house reefs here to enjoy for snorkellers and divers.

The Southern atolls of Thaa, Laamu and Huvadhoo offer the best coral coverage and are worth the additional travel to get away from the crowds of the central atolls, whilst families love the ease of access to the North Male Atoll and the gentle conditions make this a perfect location for beginners. Whether divers and snorkellers choose to access the best dive sites by liveaboard or from a luxury resort, we have the personal knowledge to make sure they have the best possible diving holiday in the Indian Ocean. House reefs ring many of the islets in the coralline atolls, making this a fantastic destination for keen snorkellers.

The Seychelles is an equally exciting diving destination, with dramatic granite boulders and some of the most beautiful scenes imaginable. The Inner Islands are perfect for those beginning their diving journey, with easy conditions and straightforward travel combined with a stay in elegantly luxurious hotels. For those looking to get off the beaten track, a visit to the Outer Islands is not to be missed, where the Aldabra Group, Alphonse Group and Amirantes Islands offers some of the best coral coverage and conditions in the Indian Ocean with truly exhilarating scuba diving. Turtles, sting rays, huge Napolean wrasses and large reef sharks are common in these waters, whilst lucky divers could be in with a chance of seeing thresher sharks, hammerheads, manta rays and even sailfish at some of the best dive sites in the country. Diving holidays in this part of the Indian Ocean are thrilling and divers never know what might turn up in these waters.

Beyond the Reef

Guests looking for more to do beyond the reef may be surprised to find that staying in an island paradise doesn’t have to mean having to lie around on a beach all day. In the Seychelles, nature lovers will find themselves in seventh heaven, with birdwatching tours rewarding guests with sightings of the many endemic species of the islands including blue pigeons, shearwaters, flycatchers, black parrots and sunbirds. Wildlife conservation is prevalent across the islands, and guests can get up close with the islands’ most famous residents, the giant tortoises, or help release turtle hatchlings. During a stay in the Maldives, guests can focus on the wellness elements, indulging in spa treatments and yoga practices, or enjoy a wealth of water sports from wakeboarding to windsurfing and everything in between. Visits to local islands will allow guests to view the non-tourist side of life in this idyllic island nation, and of course the gastronomy is exceptional, drawing in some of the best chefs in the world and showcasing a range of fare from all over the globe, served to the highest standards.