Noohiri Diving & Water Sport Center

Noohiri Diving & Water Sport Center is situated on the island of Feridhoo in the North Ari Atoll, approximately 30 miles west of Malé. This area is widely recognised as one of the most productive diving locations in the Maldives, offering a diverse range of underwater topographies.

The centre operates as a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, providing a base for both recreational exploration and professional training. For those looking to stay on the island, the centre works in collaboration with the Villa Rosa Maldives guest house.

The team is led by a PADI Master Instructor and includes a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and a PADI Divemaster. This professional staff ensures that training and guided dives are handled with experience across various disciplines.

Instruction is available in both English and Italian. The centre is also a partner with a diving insurance provider, offering additional security for divers who may not have their own coverage.

The centre offers a comprehensive PADI curriculum, beginning with Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver courses. Advanced training is available through the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, and Nitrox courses, as well as specialty training in Wreck, Night, and Drift diving.

For those on a professional path, the centre provides Divemaster training and EFR. The PADI eLearning system is utilised, allowing you to complete your theoretical studies at home before arriving on the island to focus on your practical skills in the water.

The shore-based facilities include three dedicated rooms: a reception and theory area for classroom learning, a compressor and cylinder storage room, and a technical equipment room. The equipment room is available for divers to use as a secure space to manage their own kit.

A rinsing area and drying racks are located just outside the technical room to facilitate post-dive maintenance. For those requiring rental kit, the centre stocks a full range including BCDs, regulators, dive computers, wetsuits, fins, masks, snorkels, and torches. GoPro cameras are also available for daily hire.

The local waters are home to pelagics, including regular sightings of Manta rays. These large filter feeders are a primary draw for divers visiting the North Ari Atoll.

The reef ecosystems are built upon a variety of corals and sponges that provide habitat for a wide range of marine life. Thilas and reefs in the area support diverse populations of reef fish and larger residents.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants can be found throughout the various reef flats and crevices, offering plenty of interest for those with a keen eye for detail.

Diving in the North Ari Atoll involves a variety of environments, from shallow reef flats to deeper thilas and kandus. The site selection depends on your experience level and the specific topography of the day.