Aquaholics-Nova

Nova Maldives is situated in the South Ari Atoll, a region globally recognised for its high concentration of marine life. The location is particularly famous for its plankton-rich waters, which draw large numbers of whale sharks and manta rays to the area throughout the year.

Access to the resort is via a 25-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport. Once on the island, the Aquaholics team manages the diving operations, providing access to over 35 dive sites within a 40-minute boat radius, including several nationally protected marine areas.

The Aquaholics team operates within a resort environment that emphasises environmental sustainability. They manage a Coral Frame Sponsorship programme designed to help preserve and restore the local marine ecosystems.

While the specific number of instructors is not listed, the centre provides a range of services from beginner training to guided exploration dives. The team is geared towards facilitating both serene snorkelling trips and more exhilarating diving adventures across the atoll.

The centre offers the Open Water Diver course for those beginning their scuba journey. Training is conducted with a focus on building foundational skills in the Maldivian environment.

The centre provides complimentary rental of basic kit, specifically masks, snorkels, and fins. For those opting for a full rental, the availability of more comprehensive equipment is managed on-site.

Beyond diving, the resort provides standard kayaks and paddleboards for use on the reef flat.

The South Ari Atoll is a premier destination for pelagic encounters. You can expect to see whale sharks and manta rays year-round. The area is also home to grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, and hammerheads, alongside various species of tuna and barracuda.

On the reefs and thilas, the biodiversity is immense. You will find large populations of fusiliers, blue stripe snappers, surgeon fishes, and Napoleon wrasses. Larger predators such as trevally and various shark species, including blacktip reef sharks and guitar sharks, are frequently sighted near the pinnacles.

The reef structure itself is a vibrant display of life, featuring diverse soft and hard corals, sea fans, gorgonians, whip corals, and anemones. Turtles, including hawksbill turtles, are common residents of these waters.

For those interested in smaller life, the crevices and overhangs host moray eels, lionfish, pufferfish, and nudibranchs. The ecosystem is further enriched by a variety of tropical fishes and glassfish inhabiting the reef structure.

The South Ari Atoll is known for its currents, particularly around the pinnacles and channels. These currents can make for exciting drift dives but require a confident level of buoyancy control.

Seasonality in the region affects the type of marine life encountered. From December to April, the area typically experiences clearer skies, while the monsoon months from May to October often bring richer marine life and rolling waves.