Divepoint Rannalhi

Located within the South Malé Atoll on the island of Adaaran Club Rannalhi, DivePoint Rannalhi is an established institution in the Maldives. The centre is positioned on the western outer reef, providing you with immediate access to a spacious house reef for guided morning dives, night dives, or unguided exploration.

Managed by a German-speaking team led by Marcus Hauck, the centre has been operating since 2006. Marcus has been diving in the Maldives since the 1980s, bringing decades of local knowledge to the operation. The centre is an SSI Diamond centre, reflecting its long-standing presence and professional standards.

As an SSI Diamond centre, a full range of training is available, from the SSI Basic Diver Program and Open Water Diver through to Advanced and Deep Diving. For those looking to specialise, the centre offers Nitrox, Night & Limited Visibility, Waves, Tides & Currents, and Scooter courses.

Professional training is also a core focus, with Divemaster and Instructor Training Courses (ITC) available on-site. The lagoon provides an ideal environment for training, making it suitable for those starting their journey or working towards professional certifications.

The centre operates dhoni and fibre boats to reach dive sites. These vessels have capacity for 14 divers and run daily morning and afternoon trips. Most sites are reached within a 45-minute boat ride, with Nitrox available on board for certified divers.

The centre is well-equipped for both recreational and professional divers. Rental kit includes high-quality equipment and Olympus cameras for underwater photography. For those requiring specific cylinder volumes, a range of 7 L, 10 L, 12 L, and 15 L DIN/INT cylinders is available.

The channels and surrounding reefs are home to a wide array of pelagic species. You can encounter various sharks, including grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), zebra sharks, and tawny nurse sharks. During the summer, there are increased chances of seeing manta rays (Mobula alfredi) and eagle rays (Aetobatus).

Large schools of fish are a constant presence, including tuna (Thunnus), jacks (Carangidae), and various snappers (Lutjanus). You will also see Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), groupers (Epinephelus), and various species of butterflyfish (Chaetodon) and angelfish (Pomacanthidae) navigating the reef structures.

On the reef itself, the biodiversity is supported by healthy hard coral (Scleractinia) and soft coral (Alcyonacea) formations. Look for sea turtles (Cheloniidae), including green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), alongside stingrays, including Southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus).

Macro enthusiasts will find plenty to observe among the anemones and coral heads. The area hosts various species of clownfish (anemonefish), nudibranchs, and various crustaceans, including spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) and crabs (Brachyura).

Diving in the South Malé Atoll involves navigating different environments, from calm lagoon waters to more challenging open-water sites. The channels around Rannalhi are known for having strong currents, which are a key component of the drift diving there.

Seasonal variations affect the presence of certain large pelagics, particularly manta rays (Mobula alfredi) during the summer months. Divers should always plan according to the specific site requirements, as the channel dives require a higher level of experience due to the currents.