Porto Santo, the area around Maldivas

Porto Santo · Portugal · Reef

Maldivas

Rock formations in 5 to 9 m with no current at all

Area photo: Portuguese_eyes · CC BY-SA 2.0

A shallow site on the east side of the island, called a great place for beginners: depths between 5 m and 9 m, no currents, and curious rock formations to work around. Damselfish, parrotfish, Turkish wrasse and several species of bream are the regulars, and with luck a small ray or a school of small barracudas comes past.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Maldivas: typical dive 5–9 m (15–30 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit5 m9 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

33.0732° N, 16.2942° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The site is on the east side of Porto Santo and it is shallow throughout, between 5 m and 9 m, with no currents on it. That is the whole reason it is used for beginners: there is no depth to manage, nothing to swim against, and a dive can last as long as the group's air rather than as long as a computer allows. The rock formations are what gives it shape, and the catalogue calls them curious ones.

Working around and between the formations is the dive. Damselfish, parrotfish and Turkish wrasse are on the rock with several species of bream, and the shallow light means the colours hold rather than washing out at depth. With luck a small ray comes over the sand or a school of small barracudas passes, which is more than a beginner site usually offers, and the shallow profile means nobody has to leave when it happens.

Marine life and season

  • Barracuda
  • Stingrays
Month-by-month season rating for Maldivas
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairFairGoodGoodGoodPrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodFair

Season follows Porto Santo: Diving runs all year. July to October holds the warmest water, logged at 22–23°C, February logs the lowest visibility, and the island's rain falls in winter.

Questions divers ask

Is Maldivas good for beginners?+

Yes — it is described as a great place for beginners, with depths between 5 m and 9 m, no currents and rock formations to swim around.

Sources

  1. Maldivas — Scubago

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