Luxury Diving Maldives

Some of the most luxurious resorts on the planet are found scattered across the Maldives like treasure chests on the world's best map. In fact, so much so that it can be hard to choose just where to stay (tough gig). Luckily, the Maldives' luxury resorts cater to every taste. Southernly Six Senses Laamu is all about barefoot luxury while lovers of opulent luxury can revel in blissful solitude at Huvafen Fushi, which also houses a 65-foot fully staffed Dhoni which guests can book for everything from a private sunset dinner to exploring the best dive sites at their own pace. Needless to say, divine dining, exceptional service (think: your own personal butler) and the very best dive operations are the norm across the board.

Liveaboard lovers fear not, cruise the Maldives' atolls, diving all the best sites, aboard opulent floating five-star hotel the Four Seasons Explorer, while the luxurious Scubaspa Ying and Yang boasts the largest spa in the Maldives.

Families can also breathe a silent sigh of relief as the Maldives has some truly exceptional offerings for any age. Parents can decamp the young'uns to clubs that outperform a child's imagination - from Soneva Fushi's decked out Den which has everything from a pirate ship to a lego room and even a chocolate tasting room (one for the adults too), to Six Senses' Junior Marine Biologist programme and so many more, all bases are covered.

No matter where you stay, each private island paradise is located on the doorstop of truly exceptional diving. Learn to dive in the turquoise lagoons that lap against sandy shores or, if an advanced diver, dive in the thrilling deep channels separating the islands, which boast a huge variety of marine life, including sharks, manta rays and even whale sharks in the southern atolls. For a truly remarkable experience, COMO Maalifushi offers the rare opportunity for guests to snorkel with whale sharks under a blanket of stars at night. The best part? There's only six people per night so snorkellers can revel in virtual solitude with the largest fish in the ocean.