South Ari Sanctuary
Google 5/5 (65 reviews)
less than 1 km away as the crow flies
Dive centre · Alifu Atoll (Ari) · Maldives
4.5201 Google reviewsSouth Ari Dive Center
Experience year-round encounters with whale sharks and manta rays from this PADI 5 Star centre in the South Ari Atoll.
What sets this centre apart
- PADI 5 Star rated centre
- Over 17 years of professional experience
- Whale sharks and manta rays present year-round
- Located on Dhangethi island
- Access to thilas and kandus for drift diving
- 50-foot dive boat with 25+ diver capacity
- PADI courses from beginner to professional levels
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South Ari Dive Center about the centre
South Ari Dive Center is a PADI 5 Star facility situated on the island of Dhangethi in the Alifu Atoll. It serves as a primary gateway to some of the most renowned diving locations in the Maldives, with boat trips to key sites taking between 5 and 45 minutes.
The centre is positioned to take advantage of the rich plankton levels in the area, which attracts large pelagics. You will find yourself diving through a variety of underwater topographies, from expansive reef flats to steep thilas and nutrient-rich kandus.
The club and its team
The team at South Ari Dive Center brings more than 17 years of professional experience to the atoll. This long-standing presence ensures a high standard of training and dive guidance for every diver who visits.
All instruction is conducted in English. The centre is equipped to handle a wide range of divers, from those taking their very first breaths underwater to professional-level candidates.
The centre at a glance
- Affiliation
- PADI
- Certification level
- 5 Star
- Operating since
- 2016
- Website available in
- English
- Management
- English
- Boats
- 50-foot dive boat · 25+ divers at a time
- Instructors and guides
- 2
- Access and transfers
- The island is 87 km from Malé; the boat trip takes about 90 minutes.
- Accommodation
- Seaside Dhangethi Inn – a beachfront house located directly on the seafront of Dhangethi, offering modern comfort with a local touch. Features 9 stylish rooms and an integrated dive centre.
Courses on offer
The training programme covers the full spectrum of PADI certifications. You can start with entry-level courses and progress through to professional-level qualifications.
Beyond standard certifications, the centre offers various PADI Specialty courses to help you refine specific skills in the water.
The boats
The centre operates a 50-foot dive boat capable of carrying 25+ divers at a time. These excursions cover a variety of environments, including thilas and kandus, which are ideal for drift diving.
Equipment and gases
The centre is integrated with the Seaside Dhangethi Inn, a beachfront property offering nine rooms and a dedicated dive centre on-site. This provides a seamless transition between your accommodation and the dive boat.
Dive sites with South Ari Dive Center
Kuda Rah Thila is a notable site in the area, offering a classic thila experience. It is part of the diverse underwater topography that defines the South Ari Atoll.
Brocken Rock and Kuda Giri are also key locations for exploring the local reef structures. These sites allow you to experience the varied marine life and currents characteristic of the region.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
Kuda Rah ThilaBrocken RockKuda Giri
Marine life around Alifu Atoll (Ari)
The area is famous for its large pelagics, with whale sharks and manta rays present in the water year-round. You can also expect to see eagle rays, stingrays, and various species of dolphins during your dives.
The presence of plankton makes this a prime location for observing these large filter feeders. The biodiversity of the atoll ensures a constant variety of marine life for every diver.
Diving conditions
The open nature of the atoll means that currents can become quite strong. These currents make the area particularly suitable for drift diving, especially when exploring the kandus and thilas.
Because of the atoll's exposure, it is important to be prepared for moving water during your excursions.
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