Maldives · Indian Ocean

Maafushi

Maldives on a budget · local-island guesthouses · day-boat diving

3-4 hours
Flight from India
Visa on arrival
Entry
20
Dive sites
27-30°C
Water temp
SSI+PADI
Affiliation
Courses Trips When to dive Marine life Plan trip About FAQs

Courses you can take in Maafushi

29 courses (PADI & SSI) bookable through iDive partner schools · zero agency fee.

29 courses
PADI Discover Scuba course in Maafushi

Discover Scuba

PADI certified · 1 day

Your first breath underwater — no certification or experience needed.

SSI Discover Scuba course in Maafushi

Discover Scuba

SSI certified · 1 day

Your first breath underwater — no certification or experience needed.

PADI Scuba Diver course in Maafushi

Scuba Diver

PADI certified · 2 days

A faster entry-level certification — dive to 12m with a professional.

SSI Scuba Diver course in Maafushi

Scuba Diver

SSI certified · 2 days

A faster entry-level certification — dive to 12m with a professional.

PADI Open Water Diver course in Maafushi

Open Water Diver

PADI certified · 4 days

The world's most popular scuba certification — dive independently to 18m.

SSI Open Water Diver course in Maafushi

Open Water Diver

SSI certified · 4 days

The world's most popular scuba certification — dive independently to 18m.

PADI Advanced Open Water course in Maafushi

Advanced Open Water

PADI certified · 2 days

Five adventure dives including deep and navigation — extend your range to 30m.

SSI Advanced Open Water course in Maafushi

Advanced Open Water

SSI certified · 2 days

Five adventure dives including deep and navigation — extend your range to 30m.

PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox) course in Maafushi

Enriched Air (Nitrox)

PADI certified · 1 day

Dive longer with enriched air — the most popular specialty in diving.

SSI Enriched Air (Nitrox) course in Maafushi

Enriched Air (Nitrox)

SSI certified · 1 day

Dive longer with enriched air — the most popular specialty in diving.

PADI Deep Diver course in Maafushi

Deep Diver

PADI certified · 2 days

Extend your depth limit to 40m and learn deep-dive planning.

SSI Deep Diver course in Maafushi

Deep Diver

SSI certified · 2 days

Extend your depth limit to 40m and learn deep-dive planning.

PADI Wreck Diver course in Maafushi

Wreck Diver

PADI certified · 2 days

Explore shipwrecks safely — surveying, mapping and penetration lines.

SSI Wreck Diver course in Maafushi

Wreck Diver

SSI certified · 2 days

Explore shipwrecks safely — surveying, mapping and penetration lines.

PADI Night Diver course in Maafushi

Night Diver

PADI certified · 1 day

Discover the reef after dark, when nocturnal marine life comes alive.

SSI Night Diver course in Maafushi

Night Diver

SSI certified · 1 day

Discover the reef after dark, when nocturnal marine life comes alive.

PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy course in Maafushi

Peak Performance Buoyancy

PADI certified · 1 day

Hover effortlessly, protect the reef and extend your air with perfect trim.

SSI Peak Performance Buoyancy course in Maafushi

Peak Performance Buoyancy

SSI certified · 1 day

Hover effortlessly, protect the reef and extend your air with perfect trim.

PADI Fun Dives course in Maafushi

Fun Dives

PADI certified · N/A

Guided fun dives for certified divers — single, double or multi-day.

SSI Fun Dives course in Maafushi

Fun Dives

SSI certified · N/A

Guided fun dives for certified divers — single, double or multi-day.

PADI Rescue Diver course in Maafushi

Rescue Diver

PADI certified · 4 days

Prevent and manage dive emergencies — the most rewarding course you will take.

SSI Rescue Diver course in Maafushi

Rescue Diver

SSI certified · 4 days

Prevent and manage dive emergencies — the most rewarding course you will take.

PADI Divemaster course in Maafushi

Divemaster

PADI certified · 2-3 weeks

Your first professional rating — lead certified divers and assist courses.

SSI Divemaster course in Maafushi

Divemaster

SSI certified · 2-3 weeks

Your first professional rating — lead certified divers and assist courses.

PADI Instructor / IDC course in Maafushi

Instructor / IDC

PADI certified · 1 month

Teach scuba worldwide — the Instructor Development Course and exam.

SSI Instructor / IDC course in Maafushi

Instructor / IDC

SSI certified · 1 month

Teach scuba worldwide — the Instructor Development Course and exam.

PADI Referral & Crossover course in Maafushi

Referral & Crossover

PADI certified · Varied

Finish a started course or cross over your certification with us.

PADI Adventure Diver course in Maafushi

Adventure Diver

PADI certified · 1 day

Three adventure dives toward Advanced — sample deep, navigation and more.

PADI Freediving course in Maafushi

Freediving

PADI certified · 1 day

Breath-hold freediving — relax, equalise and descend on a single breath.

Dive trips to Maafushi

1 curated expedition visiting Maafushi, fixed dates, small groups, vetted partner operators, zero agency fee.

Different dates or a private group? See all expeditions · plan a custom Maafushi trip on WhatsApp →

When to dive in Maafushi

Peak months mean clearest visibility, best marine sightings and stable weather. Shoulder is still good. Off-season often has rough conditions or monsoon.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Compare live sea conditions across all destinations →

What you'll see in Maafushi

Marine life you can spot diving here. Click any creature to find trips that target sightings of it.

Plan your dive trip to Maafushi

Once your diving is sorted, book the rest of the trip. We've matched flights, stays, things to do and local transport to Maafushi so you can plan it all in one place.

Getting there

Fly into Malé (MLE) · 3-4 hours from India.

Where to stay

Hotels and stays near the dive sites — compare rates and book direct.

Things to do topside

Tours, day trips and experiences for your non-diving days.

Airport transfers & getting around

No ride-hailing app operates here — hotels and dive centres arrange airport/boat transfers. We can pre-book one for you.

About diving in Maafushi

Maafushi is the Maldives for divers without a resort budget. You get local guesthouses, daily boats, and the same reefs.

What pulls divers to Maafushi: Maldives on a budget · local-island guesthouses · day-boat diving.

Diving conditions are typically calm to moderate, with water temperatures around 27-30°C.

It's a particularly strong fit for budget divers, backpackers, beginners.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to dive in Maafushi?
Peak season is Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec — clearest visibility, calmest seas, best marine sightings. Shoulder months (May, Oct) are still good with thinner crowds. Avoid Jun–Sep unless you are chasing specific seasonal species.
Do Indians need a visa for Maldives?
Visa on arrival. Always confirm latest requirements with the embassy before booking flights.
How long is the flight from India and what does it cost?
Flights from major Indian cities are typically 3-4 hours, with one-way fares around ₹12K-22K. We can help you find the cheapest dates around your dive trip.
What can I see underwater in Maafushi?
Year-round you will see Reef Manta Ray, Whitetip Reef Shark, Grey Reef Shark, Blacktip Reef Shark, Nurse Shark. Seasonal highlights: Reef Manta Ray (May–Nov); Whale Shark (Aug–Nov).

Ready to dive Maafushi?

Tell us your dates, certification level and what you want to see, we'll match you to the right trip in Maafushi and lock the dates in minutes.

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