Scuba Diving in the Maldives: Price for Beginners (Discover Scuba vs Open Water)
A Discover Scuba try-dive costs roughly US$75 to 230 and an Open Water course US$475 to 1,025, depending on the centre. What to know before you book.
Quick answer: A beginner has two choices. Discover Scuba Diving is a one-day try-dive, priced at roughly US$75 to US$230 in the listings we found. A full PADI Open Water course takes 3 to 4 days and runs roughly US$475 to US$1,025. Independent dive centres on local islands are cheapest; resorts cost more but often bundle equipment and boat fees. Do the course at home if you want to dive on a short trip.
What do the listings say?
| Centre or resort | Discover Scuba | Open Water |
|---|---|---|
| Maafushi Dive (local island) | US$75 (undated listing) | US$475, including materials, equipment, boat and certification |
| Cenizaro dive centre, March 2026 | US$180++ (theory plus one lagoon dive) | not compared here |
| Six Senses Laamu | US$210++ (minimum age 10) | US$985++ (4 days) |
| The Standard, Huruvalhi | US$230 (up to 4 in a group) | US$1,025 (3 to 4 days, 4 dives) |
"++" usually means tax and service charge are added; confirm. Boat fees are sometimes extra.
Which should a couple choose?
- Try-dive (Discover Scuba): best for a 5-night trip. It needs no certification and is done in a lagoon.
- Open Water course: only worth it if you will dive again. It takes up to four days of a short trip.
- Snorkelling: if neither appeals, see snorkelling in the Maldives.
How does this change the budget?
A resort try-dive can be a few times the cost of a local-island one. In a ₹1.5 lakh plan, one try-dive each for two people at a resort is a meaningful line. See Maldives under ₹1.5 lakh. At about ₹97 to the dollar for planning, US$230 is about ₹22,310.
Is diving safe for first-timers?
Try-dives are supervised one-to-one or in small groups, in shallow water. Tell the instructor about any health condition, and follow the no-flying rule after diving: do not take your flight home too soon after a dive. Ask the centre how long to wait.
Which resorts have a dive school?
Kuredu lists a diving school among its facilities. Ask other resorts for their dive centre details.
Plan this with Trripah
Send your city, dates and budget on WhatsApp or the trip planner. Trripah prices the flight, the resort, the transfer and your excursions together. Check fares first on the Flight Finder.
*Facts and prices here come from the operator, resort and travel-guide pages linked above, read on 3 November 2026. Many are promotional or undated and some disagree, so confirm the current figure with your resort or operator before you book.*
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