When you consider that the 1200 islands making up the atolls of the Maldives are actually just the exposed peaks of a 3000 foot high submerged mountain range, you get some idea of the sheer majesty of its underwater environments.

Usually described as a ‘tropical paradise’ or even ‘heaven on Earth’ by those lucky enough to have seen the islands at first-hand, Maldives holidays have long been on the must-do list of all kinds of travel connoisseurs. For aspiring and expert divers alike, the thousands of dive spots, spectacular coral reefs and lengthy, exciting drifts teeming with exotic sea-life make it an even more desirable destination.

Being in the lowest, flattest country on the planet has great perks for the intrepid diver. The wide variety of water villas, beach huts and other luxurious accommodations give you the opportunity to literally roll out of bed and into the ocean. For those that wish to experience the widest possible range of incredible diving spots away from resorts and other tourists, live-aboard boat accommodation offers the ultimate in mobility, diving freedom and peace and quiet.

Once you leap into the expansive and dramatic waters of the Maldives, few diving destinations can compete in terms of the sheer diversity of marine life. Depending on the season, you will share the water with many of the most majestic creatures of the sea, ranging from giant Manta Rays to whale sharks, humpback wrasse to Barracuda. You can find almost any kind of fish in these warm, balmy waters, and the coral reefs are among the most diverse, mind-blowing examples to be found anywhere on Earth.

You may have heard in recent years about the nation’s enduring fear of being submerged by rising sea-levels; in fact, there is now plenty of evidence to support the theory that sea levels in the Maldives are actually decreasing overall, and that the small fluctuations are merely part of natural long-term cycles in the Indian Ocean. The Coral bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures during the 1996-1998 El Nino climate fluctuation have been far from devastating; the reefs of the Maldives have recovered incredibly quickly.

As the atoll is so far from mainland India, diving holidays in the Maldives are far removed and well insulated from both Indian fishing industries and pollution. This enviable, isolated position in the crystal-clean waters of the Indian Ocean ensures an abundance of healthy marine life. It comes as a surprise to even the most seasoned diver just how much life can be witnessed here; even for those who never set foot in the water, a day in the Maldives is a day spent in direct communion with the ocean.

With tourism making up the vast majority of the Maldives’ economy and employment, and plenty of investment in first-class hotels, resorts and facilities, there is an unparalleled range of diving centres, instructors, live-aboard and facilities for divers of any level. Many hotels and resorts offer professional PADI certified instruction up to Divemaster level and plenty of sheltered lagoons, gentle beaches and ideal snorkelling spots for the younger or less experienced diver.

To be luxuriously free of the penny-counting worries of half-board or accommodation-only options, many visitors choose all inclusive packages, providing the freedom to enjoy whatever takes their fancy, whenever. All inclusive holidays normally offer the best overall value in the Maldives, as the cost of importing and distributing food and alcohol to the islands puts over-the-counter prices firmly in the ‘5-star’ bracket.

For diving enthusiasts, destination-junkies and everyone else just wishing to experience heaven on Earth under a tropical sky, it’s not so much a question of if they will visit the Maldives, but when.

Gerry Bern is a writer based in south-east England who enjoys writing on the topics of travel, food, music and culture. He is currently working on a variety of pieces on Maldives holidays, and looking forward to his next trip.