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There is an enviable (and ever-increasing!) number of dive sites to choose from when diving with Prodivers Maldives. Between our four dive centers on Kuredu, Komandoo, Lily Beach and Vakarufalhi, we’re proud to be able to take you to more than 100 dive sites!

So be it the weird and wonderful frog fish you’re on the lookout for, buzzing past sharks and rays that sets your heart racing, or if you prefer taking it easy to admire the dazzling coral, we have your back.

To help you make the decision which island to book for your next diving holiday, we asked our base leaders to compile a list of their top dive sites in the macro, big fish and coral categories, to give you an idea what you can expect to see on Kuredu, Komandoo, Lily Beach and Vakarufalhi.

For starters, here are Darren’s picks and his flood of memories relating to helping people experience the beautiful underwater world around Kuredu.

Why diving on Kuredu is tops:

The sheer variety of diving activities and sites on Kuredu is second to none, which is partly helped by the fact that Kuredu is one of largest diving centers in the Maldives. We try to ensure that everyone leaves us with ticks in their personal wish lists – regardless of whether divers are looking for action packed current dives, or a shallow bimble across a stunning coral reef.

The final element that makes Kuredu an incredible place to dive is the team that we have, whether it’s the office team, our support division, snorkel guides or the diving instructors – they are quite simply an awesome bunch, and are a huge part of the experience on Kuredu.

Personal experiences:

Over the past 9 years of working with Prodivers, there have been some phenomenal experiences – from seeing incredible blue whales, humpback whales, dolphins, mola mola, sailfish, whale sharks, watching Kuredu Express recover itself as a world class dive site and of course the beautiful manta rays.

Heading down to Dhanifaru for the first time on a snorkel full day blew me away as I filmed over 20 mantas that played with our group for over 3 hours! After having experienced this countless times since, the magic still remains. Realising that this place was something special, it’s been incredibly rewarding to have kick started Kuredu’s involvement in the Maldivian Manta Ray Research Project (headed by the Manta Trust) and discover some amazing insights into the Lhaviyani Atoll’s manta ray population.

One other memory that will stick in my mind comes from one of my very first years in the Maldives. I took, let’s call her an elderly lady (she was actually over 90 years old!), out on a special excursion to Kuredu Caves. It had been her lifelong dream to see a turtle swim in the wild. As we got there, the dhoni crew helped lower the lady into the water, where she held onto the safety buoy that I had with me.

Due to her age, she was not able to hold a snorkel in the mouth, so she gripped the buoy with her head out of the water until I gave her the signal that there was a turtle close by. On this signal, she held her breath, and dunked her head under the surface for a few seconds. After missing the first couple of turtles, the sheer delight on her toothless face when she saw the third one was priceless :-).

Writing this has brought back a flood of memories relating to helping people experience this beautiful underwater world around the Maldives. It’s being able to share this world with others and see the passion that ignites in people when they dive or snorkel in one of the most amazing places on earth that keeps us here in the Maldives for such long periods.