Plongée au Dusit Thani Maldives

Ocean Dive & Sports is a PADI 5 Star dive centre situated within the Dusit Thani Maldives resort in the Baa Atoll. The centre provides a gateway to some of the most significant marine ecosystems in the archipelago, balancing relaxed resort diving with more adventurous excursions.

Access to the centre is straightforward, either via a 35-minute seaplane transfer from Velana International Airport or a combination of a 25-minute domestic flight and a 10-minute speedboat transfer from Dharavandhoo. Once on-site, you can choose between various diving styles, ranging from calm reef exploration to more dynamic outings.

The centre operates with a multilingual team of instructors capable of guiding you in English, German, Chinese, Italian, Russian, and Arabic. This diversity ensures that communication remains clear, whether you are working through a certification course or simply discussing the day's dive plan.

As a PADI 5 Star facility, the centre maintains high standards of instruction and safety. They cater to a wide spectrum of experience levels, from those looking for their first experience in the water to seasoned divers seeking specialized training or night diving opportunities.

The training programme is comprehensive, covering the full range of PADI certifications. You can begin your journey with the Open Water Diver course and progress through Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver.

For those looking to move into professional waters, the centre provides Divemaster training. Additionally, the Nitrox course is available for divers wishing to extend their bottom times through the use of enriched air.

Excursions are conducted using traditional dhonis, providing an authentic Maldivian experience while heading out to the dive sites. These vessels are used for a variety of trips, including standard dive outings, night dives, and dedicated snorkeling trips to Hanifaru Bay.

The centre offers specialised diving experiences such as fluorescence diving and underwater scooter excursions. For those who prefer not to carry their own heavy kit, a range of equipment is available for hire to ensure you are fully prepared for the reef or the deeper excursions.

The Baa Atoll is a productive marine environment. You will encounter various pelagics including Manta ray (Mobula alfredi) during their seasonal visits, as well as schools of tuna (Thunnus), jack schools, and fusilier schools. Whitetip sharks and eagle rays (Aetobatus) are also part of the regular marine landscape.

On the reef, the biodiversity is significant. You can observe Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), sweetlips (Plectorhinchus), and various batfish (Platax). The reef is also home to green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), alongside moray eels (Muraenidae) and clownfish (Amphiprion).

The centre organises seasonal excursions to Hanifaru Bay, which is specifically noted for its seasonal manta ray activity. Divers should plan their visits around these biological cycles to maximise the chance of seeing large aggregations.