Dive centre · Dharavandhoo · Maldives
5.026 Google reviewsFehi Velaa Dive
Dive the Baa Atoll from the doorstep of Hanifaru Bay, with access to over 50 local sites and manta cleaning stations.
What sets this centre apart
- Five minute proximity to Hanifaru Bay
- Small dive groups with a maximum of eight divers
- PADI certified training from Open Water to Divemaster
- On-site guesthouse with full-board meal plans
- Two boats including a traditional dhoni with a large solar deck
- New rental equipment available in multiple sizes
- Access to over 50 local dive sites
- Multilingual instruction in English, German, French and Slovak
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Fehi Velaa Dive about the centre
Fehi Velaa Dive is a PADI centre situated on the local island of Dhonfanu, within the Baa Atoll. Its position is particularly advantageous for those looking to explore the area's most famous marine life, sitting just five minutes from the Hanifaru Bay biosphere reserve.
The centre provides a gateway to more than 50 dive sites, ranging from shallow reef flats to deeper thilas. Whether you are looking to complete your initial certifications or explore the local cleaning stations, the location offers immediate access to some of the most productive waters in the Maldives.
The club and its team
The diving programme is led by experienced instructors, including Hussain, who focuses on providing a personalised experience. To ensure safety and close supervision, the centre maintains a guide-to-diver ratio of one instructor for every eight divers.
Communication is straightforward for international visitors, as the team speaks English, German, French, Slovak, and Dhivehi. This multilingual approach helps ensure that training and dive briefings are clearly understood by all members of the group.
The centre at a glance
- Affiliation
- PADI
- Operating since
- 2021
- Languages spoken
- English · German · French · DHIVEHI · SLOVAQUE
- Website available in
- German · English
- Management
- English
- Boats
- 2 · dhoni et bateau à moteur · 12 plongeurs
- Divers per guide
- 8
- Equipment rental
- matériel de location neuf disponible en plusieurs tailles
- On board
- grand pont solaire sur le dhoni, toilettes, eau de coco fraîche et thé chaud entre les plongées
- Access and transfers
- Arrivée par l'aéroport de Malé, puis vol domestique vers Dharavandhoo. Transfert assuré par le centre, suivi d'un trajet de 10 minutes en bateau rapide jusqu'à l'île.
- Accommodation
- Guesthouse Fehi Velaa Stay proposant des chambres spacieuses, modernes et confortables avec climatisation, mobilier neuf et repas en pension complète.
- Address
- 54QC+CW, Dhonfanu, Maldives
- Official website
- fehivelaa-dive.com ↗
Courses on offer
Fehi Velaa Dive offers a full range of PADI training programmes. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to expand their skills can progress through the Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver courses.
For divers looking to move towards a professional career, the centre also provides the Divemaster training programme.
The boats
The centre operates two boats to transport divers to the local sites: a traditional dhoni and a motorboat. Both vessels have a capacity of 12 divers.
The dhoni features a large solar deck, providing ample space to relax between dives. On board, you can find toilets and refreshments including fresh coconut water and hot tea to help you recharge between entries.
Equipment and gases
For those not travelling with their own kit, the centre has a range of new rental equipment available in various sizes. This includes essential items such as regulators, BCDs, and fins.
Accommodation is integrated with the diving experience through the Fehi Velaa Stay guesthouse. This provides modern, air-conditioned rooms and full-board meal options, making it easy to manage your logistics while focusing on your diving schedule.
Dive sites with Fehi Velaa Dive
Hanifaru Bay is a world-renowned marine reserve located just minutes away. This bay is a primary site for observing manta rays and whale sharks, making it a highlight for divers of all levels.
Dhonfanu Thila is a favourite site for the local team, offering a classic thila experience. These underwater mountains provide varied topography and concentrated marine life for exploration.
Manta cleaning stations are located near the island of Dhonfanu. These specific sites are frequented by manta rays looking to remove parasites, offering excellent opportunities for close-up observations.
And some of the dive sites the centre runs.
Marine life around Dharavandhoo
The Baa Atoll is a highly productive marine environment. You will regularly encounter sea turtles, reef sharks, and various species of rays. The presence of manta rays is a significant highlight, particularly from May to November when they frequent the local cleaning stations.
Large pelagics such as whale sharks are also part of the local ecosystem. Throughout the reefs, you can spot various types of rays and nudibranchs tucked into the coral structures.
The biodiversity extends to the smaller inhabitants of the reef, where divers can find an array of interesting macro life and reef-dwelling species.
Diving conditions
The best time to visit the area for manta ray encounters is between May and November. During this period, the biological activity in the bay and around the cleaning stations is at its peak.
Access to the island is managed via a domestic flight to Dharavandhoo, followed by a 10-minute speedboat transfer arranged by the centre.
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