Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal has announced that the Maldives will soon revise its recreational diving regulations, which have remained unchanged since 1991. Speaking at the Fuvahmulah Tourism Awards 2024 ceremony, held in celebration of International Tourism Day, the minister emphasised that the current rules governing scuba diving are outdated and pose challenges to the industry.
During the ceremony, organised by the Fuvahmulah City Council, Faisal acknowledged the concerns of divers in Fuvahmulah. One key issue raised was the 24-hour no-fly period after diving, which the Maldives enforces. The minister pointed out that other countries allow air travel after just 18 hours, suggesting that Maldivian regulations are in need of modernisation.
“The rules were made in 1991 based on the development of diving in the Maldives. We are now in 2024, so there will be amendments that need to be made,” Faisal said.
He added that discussions with experts and relevant authorities would begin immediately after the weekend, with the goal of updating the rules in line with international standards and best practices.
Experts in dive medicine, such as those from DAN (Divers Alert Network), have noted that while a 24-hour no-fly window offers an extra layer of safety, research has shown that a 12- to 18-hour interval is sufficient for most recreational dives. According to DAN’s studies, the risk of developing decompression sickness decreases significantly within this time frame, especially when divers follow proper ascent and safety stop protocols.
