Is the coral bleaching as bad as the news says? Should I still go for diving?

The Maldives experienced significant bleaching events in 2016 and 2023-24, and yes, some shallow reefs have suffered. But — and this is important — the diving is still absolutely world-class. Here's why: (1) Deeper reef walls (15m+) were largely unaffected and remain vibrant. (2) Many house reefs are showing strong coral regrowth, especially at resorts with active restoration programmes (Soneva, Six Senses, Banyan Tree). (3) The pelagic life — sharks, mantas, whale sharks, turtles — is unaffected by bleaching. (4) Channel diving in atolls like Vaavu, North Malé, and South Ari is as spectacular as ever. If you're going specifically for pristine shallow coral gardens, manage expectations. If you're going for the overall marine experience, the Maldives is still one of the best dive destinations on earth.