Maldives diving in the Addu Atoll
Maldives diving in Addu comes down to two headline sites: the British Loyalty wreck between Maradhoo and Hithadhoo, and the manta channel Maa Kandu. Reefs and channels add more dives around them.
Prices below are 2026 examples in US dollars with Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) next to them, not a rate for the atoll. A dive pack is booked and paid in advance, so read the terms before you commit. Diving here involves current and depth, and the section on safety explains what to ask your dive center.
Our picks: diving trip
For tiger sharks in the southern Maldives, this week on Fuvahmulah covers 15 dives. It is a separate trip, so the Addu wreck and manta dives need a local dive centre.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Diving and snorkeling trips in Addu
Dives, snorkel safaris and boat trips around the atoll, with live prices and availability.
British Loyalty wreck
A protected wreck between Maradhoo and Hithadhoo.
The British Loyalty lies between Maradhoo and Hithadhoo in a protected area of 64.70 hectares, declared on 13 September 2018. The wreck is about 134 to 140 m long and lies in water down to 33 m. Handrails sit at around 15 m, so different parts of the wreck sit at very different depths. Do not treat 33 m as the depth of the whole ship.
U-183 torpedoed the ship on 9 March 1944, and it was sunk later, in 1946. The two events are separate, so the date of the torpedo hit is not the date the wreck went down. Keep your hands and fins off the structure.
Whether you can enter the wreck is a question for your dive center and your qualification. Depth, current and visibility decide what is possible on the day, and nothing on this page makes the wreck suitable for every diver.
What to ask your dive center
Ask for the planned depth, the qualification needed for that dive, the current on your date and who leads the dive. Ask how a dive is run if the current changes. Ask for the evacuation plan before you pay for a pack.
Manta rays in the Maldives: Maa Kandu
A channel dive with a cleaning station.
Maa Kandu is the northern channel of the atoll. The cleaning station lies at about 17 to 20 m, and manta encounters are possible through the whole year, with the best chances when the current runs in. That is a dive on offer, not a guarantee. You may see several mantas, one or none, and no operator can promise a sighting.
The dive needs comfort with current. Divers should be able to deal with it safely, and the operator checks suitability and current on the day. If you have little experience, say so when you book.
Reefs, current and protecting the reef
The Addu Atoll is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
The atoll has been a biosphere reserve since 2020. Known pressures on it are things divers can cause too: trampling, anchors, litter and getting too close to animals. Do not touch marine life, do not stand on coral and do not chase animals for a photo. Do not feed animals or treat them as an attraction.
Channel and wreck dives involve current. Strong tidal currents are a known hazard in the Maldives, and the operator has to judge the current on your date. A good brief covers entry, the direction of the drift, the plan if the group splits and the signal for the boat.
Dive prices and courses in 2026
Adult prices for 2026. A dive pack is non-transferable.
| Option | Price in USD | Price in MVR | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 5 dives | $80 per dive | MVR 1,600 | Boat, tank, weights and GST |
| 6 to 10 dives | $75 per dive | MVR 1,500 | Boat, tank, weights and GST |
| From the 11th dive | $70 per dive | MVR 1,400 | Boat, tank, weights and GST |
| Full equipment set | $45 per day | – | Extra on top of the dive price |
| Discover scuba | $125 | – | Equipment included |
| Open Water course | $725 | – | Equipment included |
Packs are booked and paid in advance, cannot be transferred, and unused dives are not refunded. For most certified divers planning several days in the water, the 6 to 10 dive rate of $75 per dive is the one to aim for. If you have never dived, start with the $125 discover scuba session before you commit to a pack.
The prices above include GST. Green Tax is separate: $6 or $12 per person per day depending on your stay. For areas and stays see where to stay.
Safety and planning your dives
The points that matter before you pay for a pack.
Decompression chamber
In the Maldives the way to a chamber can be long. Ask your dive center for its evacuation plan before the first dive.
Qualification
The qualification needed depends on the site, the depth and the operator. Ask for it in writing before you book, not on the boat.
Fuvahmulah is not an Addu dive site
Tiger shark diving belongs to Fuvahmulah, reached from Feydhoo by ferry in about 90 minutes. Plan it as its own trip. See the Fuvahmulah page.
Maldives diving in Addu: frequently asked questions
What are the main dive sites in the Addu Atoll?
The two best known are the British Loyalty wreck and the manta channel Maa Kandu. The wreck lies down to 33 m, and the manta cleaning station is at about 17 to 20 m.
How much does a dive cost in Addu?
In 2026 a dive costs $80 for 1 to 5 dives, $75 for 6 to 10 and $70 from the 11th dive. Boat, tank, weights and GST are included. A full equipment set is $45 per day extra.
Will I see manta rays?
You might. Encounters are possible all year, with the best chances when the current runs in. No sighting can be promised.
Can beginners dive in Addu?
Yes, with a discover scuba session at $125 including equipment in 2026, or an Open Water course at $725. The wreck and the channel need qualification and comfort with current, so do not plan them for your first dive.
Can I get a refund for unused dives?
Not with the pack described here. Packs are booked and paid in advance, cannot be transferred and unused dives are not refunded.
Is adduatoll.com a dive center?
No. This is an independent guide, not the website of a dive center, Addu City Council, Visit Maldives or any resort.