If you wish to learn to dive, hone your skills or build up your scuba-diving qualifications, there are few places in the world more idyllic to do so than in the Indian Ocean, where the warm, gin-clear waters teem with an array of tropical fish and sea creatures that meander and dart amongst exquisite, yet fragile examples of coral reef.
Many of our featured Indian Ocean resorts have five star PADI-accredited dive centres on site, complete with professional instruction for all abilities and the opportunity to gain qualifications and enjoy scuba-diving at nearby dive sites, including night, kandu and wreck dives. In the Maldives, the sites can be found in remote atolls – some within the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve at Baa Atoll – where some of the world’s best sightings of Manta Rays and Whale Sharks can be enjoyed. Most guests will wish to stay on their tropical island paradise and enjoy day trips out to these fabulous locations, but there are also opportunities to enjoy multi-day diving itineraries on board Four Seasons Explorer, a luxury catamaran available to guests staying at Four Seasons’ two Maldivian properties. The Seychelles is also a fabulous location for scuba-diving and is a particularly attractive option from April to May and October to November when the water is at its warmest and offers the greatest visibility. Experiences are varied here, too, with drift, wreck, wall and drop-off diving available. In addition, the number of tropical fish and shark species is prolific, while there are also lobsters and octopuses to seek out. Again, we feature several resorts that offer PADI-accredited dive centres. Mauritius presents a third option for all kinds of scuba-diving, with a selection of our featured resorts boasting their own dive centres, complemented by professional instruction and opportunities to enjoy thrilling excursions on the north and east coasts of the island. Wherever you choose to dive in the Indian Ocean, you can be assured of an amazing experience; one that you will wish to repeat again and again.