I have been to some decent dive spots, but the Maldives are my favorite dive destination so far, hands down
We spent 2 weeks on a live-aboard, which allowed us to dive in several atolls. We would visit a different island every evening, and occasionally have a drink in the resort islands.
Also, live-aboard allows more interaction with the ocean:
the first morning in the Maldives, 300 spinner dolphins were playing and flipping in a turquoise sea... We were having breakfast outside and cheering them. I was thinking: I am dead, this is paradise!!
One evening, a manta ray came under the boat, attracted by a dive light that we had left underwater intentionally. The ray stayed there for over an hour, looping in the water (and eating mouthfuls of plancton)...
As you can see, I strongly suggest the live-aboard as an optimal way of diving the Maldives (both South Male and Ari atolls are well worth seeing).
But if you MUST go for land-based, then I suggest you take a look at the Rihiveli resort (South Male). We went there for drinks twice, and I thought the person in charge of the dive op (whom we chatted with) was very knowledgeable and friendly.
One of the reasons why Maldives are not advertised in the US is that it is definitely MUCH cheaper to go there from Europe. I paid around $2,500 for both weeks, including all expenses (tips, taxes, drinks and great t-shirts and pareos
), and including airfare from Paris.
But if you can afford it, then definitely go for it!!
One thing travel agents won't tell you, though, is that El Nino hit the Maldives hard, and corals are not as beautiful as they used to be (or so we have heard). But the fauna has not suffered from that at all: sharks (grey reef, white-tip, hammerhead, occasional whale), rays (manta, eagle), turtles, and a zillion tropical fish.
My detailed divelog is at the following address
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/siraudin/ (click on divelog in the menu to the left).
Sorry, it is in French, but you can still read the dive site names / my rating + the dive profiles.
Water temperature in March was a constant 84 degress, both in the air and in the water.
Cheers
Zeina