Scuba Diving Requirements
for the Maldives

Open Water Diver (OWD): The minimum certification for recreational scuba diving in the Maldives. Accepted from all major agencies: PADI, SSI, CMAS, BSAC, NAUI. This allows diving to 18m with a guide.

Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD): Required for dives below 18m and strongly recommended for current-exposed sites. At Fuvahmulah, AOWD is needed for hammerhead sites (20-30m), thresher shark cleaning stations (15-30m), and most pelagic dive sites.

If you're not certified: several dive centres in Fuvahmulah offer SSI certification courses. You can complete your Open Water in approximately 3 days. The combination of certification + shark diving is a popular option.

Important: bring your physical certification card or digital card. Dive centres are required to verify your certification level before allowing you to dive.

Medical declaration: all divers must complete a medical self-declaration form before diving. If you answer yes to any condition (heart problems, lung conditions, diabetes, epilepsy, pregnancy, recent surgery), you'll need a doctor's clearance.

Fitness: you should be a comfortable swimmer and reasonably physically fit. There's no specific fitness test, but you need to be able to manage your equipment, handle mild currents, and swim short distances at the surface.

Age: minimum age for Open Water certification is 10 years (Junior Open Water, limited depth). Full Open Water from 15 years. There is no upper age limit, but older divers may require medical clearance.

Medications: some medications are incompatible with diving (particularly certain psychiatric medications, sedatives, and some cardiovascular drugs). Consult your doctor and declare all medications to your dive centre.

Maximum depth: 30 metres for recreational divers. This is Maldivian law, not a guideline. All dive centres enforce this limit strictly.

Shark protection: all shark species are protected under Maldivian law since 2010. It is illegal to catch, harm, or harass sharks. This protection extends to all marine megafauna including manta rays, whale sharks, and turtles.

No gloves policy: many dive centres and marine parks in the Maldives prohibit wearing dive gloves to prevent divers from touching coral or marine life.

Dive insurance: not legally required but strongly recommended. DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance is the industry standard. The nearest hyperbaric chambers are in Male and Addu atoll.

Essential to bring: your own mask (fit matters), dive computer (recommended), and certification card. Everything else can be rented.

Nice to bring: your own wetsuit (3mm is sufficient year-round), dive torch, SMB (surface marker buoy), and underwater camera.

Available to rent: full BCD and regulator setups, wetsuits, fins, torches, and cameras. Rental quality at Fuvahmulah dive centres is good but bringing your own key items ensures comfort.

Luggage note: domestic flights to Fuvahmulah allow 25kg checked baggage and 5kg carry-on. Pack your dive computer and certification card in carry-on. Check weight allowances for your dive gear.

Visa: most nationalities receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Velana International Airport (Male). No pre-application required. You'll need a passport valid for at least 6 months, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation.

Flights to Fuvahmulah: domestic flights from Male to Fuvahmulah (FVM) operate daily on Maldivian Airlines. Flight time is approximately 70 minutes. Baggage allowance is 25kg checked + 5kg carry-on. Book early — flights fill up during peak season.

Travel insurance: comprehensive travel insurance including diving coverage is strongly recommended. DAN (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance covers hyperbaric treatment, evacuation, and medical expenses specific to diving incidents. Standard travel insurance often excludes diving below 10m.

COVID/health requirements: check current Maldives entry requirements before travel. Requirements change and may include vaccination certificates or health declarations depending on global conditions at the time of travel.