Drop Dive Maldives

Located in Rasdhoo, Drop Dive Maldives serves as a professional hub for divers looking to explore the North Ari Atoll. The centre operates with a strong emphasis on high-quality instruction and marine conservation, providing access to a vast array of local dive sites.

Whether you are visiting for a few days of exploration or looking to complete a professional qualification, the centre is well-equipped to handle your needs. They offer flexible arrangements including packages that combine diving with accommodation in local guesthouses such as White Coral Rasdhoo or in Fuvahmulah.

The team is comprised of nine professional instructors, ensuring a high level of expertise and individual attention. To maintain safety and quality, the centre operates with a strict ratio of no more than four divers per guide.

Instruction is available in English, Spanish, and Italian, making it accessible for a wide range of international divers. The staff is dedicated to professional development, offering everything from basic skills to the full Instructor Training Course (ITC).

As an SSI Training Centre, the course catalogue is extensive, covering every stage of the diver's progression. Beginners can start with Try Scuba or the Basic Diver programme, moving through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver.

For those looking to specialise, the centre offers numerous SSI Specialty Diver courses, including Deep Diving, Wreck Diving, Navigation, and Perfect Buoyancy. Advanced divers can pursue professional paths through the Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, and Instructor programmes, including the Crossover course for those switching agencies.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit for those not travelling with their own equipment. Available items include BCDs, regulators, dive computers, compasses, wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and fins.

Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their bottom time. The facility is set up to support both recreational and professional training requirements throughout the year.

The local reefs are teeming with life, particularly around the various thilas and walls. You can regularly encounter grey reef sharks, reef sharks, and various species of turtles. Large schools of jacks, fusiliers, and batfish are common, alongside resident Napoleon wrasse and various species of angelfish and triggerfish.

During specific times of the year, the area becomes a significant location for pelagic species. Manta rays are seen seasonally at Madi Gaa, while whale sharks are also a seasonal visitor to these waters.

On the reef flats and sandy areas, you will find moray eels, octopus, and a variety of reef fish including sweetlips. The ecosystem is supported by a healthy presence of eagle rays and various species of reef sharks patrolling the drop-offs.

Diving in this region is influenced by the seasonal monsoon shifts. The best period for diving is from November to April during the northeast monsoon.

Water movement can vary significantly depending on the site. While many wall dives offer manageable conditions, the channels and corners are subject to strong currents that require confidence and experience.