Eco Dive Club Maafushi, Ahmed Nihaal

Established in 2017, Eco Dive Club Maafushi is situated in the South Male Atoll, just a 35-minute speedboat ride from the capital. The centre is built around a commitment to marine conservation, operating as the Maafushi Environmental Club NGO to combat marine debris and protect the local ecosystem.

Beyond standard diving, the club actively participates in reef restoration through a dedicated coral garden in the Maafushi lagoon. Here, corals are grown on frames to help expand and strengthen the local reef structures, making the centre a choice for divers who want their presence to support the environment.

The team consists of SSI instructors who prioritise a personalised approach to training. The centre focuses on building diver confidence and environmental awareness, ensuring that every student understands the importance of the ecosystem they are exploring.

As a member of the international Green Fins network, the staff follows strict sustainable tourism practices to protect the coral reefs. This ethos extends from the way they conduct courses to their daily operations on the water.

Eco Dive Club Maafushi is an SSI training centre offering a complete progression of courses. Beginners can start with the SSI Try Scuba or the SSI Scuba Diver programme, eventually working towards their Open Water Diver certification.

For those looking to advance their skills, the centre provides the SSI Advanced Adventurer and various specialty training. They also offer the React Right and Stress and Rescue courses to ensure divers are prepared for more demanding underwater environments.

The centre provides full equipment hire for divers who do not wish to travel with their own kit. This includes everything required for a standard dive, from regulators to BCDs and fins.

For those who do bring their own equipment, the centre offers facilities to manage your gear. They provide tanks and weights for divers who prefer to use their own personal regulators and wetsuits.