A week of island-based diving in North Ari Atoll: 10 boat dives, all meals and transfers included, from A$1,800 pp.
A week of island-based diving in North Ari Atoll, with everything handled from arrival to departure.
Dive & Discover is a 7-night dive holiday on a local island in North Ari Atoll, one of the Maldives’ best-known dive regions. You’ll stay, eat and dive from the one island base, with a PADI-registered dive centre right at the arrival jetty, complete with dive shop, equipment lockers, and changing and shower facilities.
More than 35 dive sites are within reach, with a mix of thilas, channels, drift dives, house reefs and wreck diving. Highlights include Maaya Thila, a marine reserve and well-known shark site, and Manta Rock, a manta cleaning station. The wider area is known for manta rays, sharks, eagle rays, schooling reef fish and, depending on conditions, whale sharks.
Because it’s based on a local island rather than a resort, this is one of the most affordable ways to dive the Maldives. It’s ideal for Australian divers, dive clubs and groups of friends.
Your week is planned around 5 dive days, with an arrival day to settle in and a no-dive day before your flight home. All diving is subject to certification level, conditions and availability.
International flights are booked separately, so you can choose your own travel dates and airline, and use frequent flyer points.
Add optional experiences on your no-dive day, at additional cost:
Travelling with a dive club or group of friends? We can tailor dates, the dive programme and courses to suit your group.
Prices are per person, twin share, and depend on the time of year:
Christmas–New Year dates, solo travellers and single rooms are priced on request.
Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, you’ll be met and assisted before transferring by speedboat to your dive island in North Ari Atoll, a journey of approximately 90 minutes.
After check-in, meet the dive team at the on-site PADI dive centre for paperwork, equipment setup and a general briefing. The rest of the day is at leisure, so you can settle in, explore the island and prepare for the diving days ahead.
Overnight on a local island.
Your first dive day starts with an orientation-style dive at a site chosen to suit the group, giving everyone a chance to check weighting, gear and buoyancy. A second guided boat dive follows, introducing you to the reefs and marine life of North Ari Atoll.
Return to the island for lunch and a relaxed afternoon.
Overnight on a local island.
Two guided boat dives explore the area’s thilas, underwater pinnacles rich in soft corals, reef fish and resident marine life. Sites may include Bathala Thila, known for its soft and table corals, red anemones and nudibranchs.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight on a local island.
Today’s dives head to some of North Ari’s signature sites. Depending on conditions, this may include Maaya Thila, a protected marine reserve and one of the Maldives’ best-known shark dives, along with a channel or drift dive where currents bring in larger marine life.
Overnight on a local island.
Two guided boat dives, with the chance to visit Manta Rock, a manta cleaning station where these gentle giants come in to be cleaned by reef fish. Other sites may include Maalhos Thila, known for its reef plateau starting around 10 metres.
Overnight on a local island.
Your last two dives of the trip. The dive team will choose sites based on conditions and the group’s favourites, which may include a wreck dive at Halaveli Wreck or a return visit to a highlight site.
In the evening, celebrate a great week of diving with your group.
Overnight on a local island.
A no-dive day to allow safe time before flying. Relax on the beach, snorkel the house reef, or arrange an optional excursion such as a sandbank visit, dolphin cruise or island hopping (at additional cost).
Overnight on a local island.
After breakfast, check out and transfer by speedboat back to Velana International Airport for your onward flight. Alternatively, extend your stay with an optional resort stay.
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