Ola Kala Maldives

Based in Malé, OK Maldives has established itself as a specialist in French-speaking liveaboard diving. The operation is designed around a dual-vessel system, using the 30m yacht L'Equator as a comfortable home base, accompanied by a traditional Maldivian Dhoni to manage diving kit and compressors.

Their itineraries are highly flexible, allowing for custom routes that span from the Grand North to the Grand South. This approach ensures that you can take advantage of the best conditions, adapting the trip to the specific weather and reef traffic of the moment.

The centre is managed by Aurore Guillon and Franz Barth, offering a highly personal and human-scale experience. They focus on a convivial atmosphere while maintaining a strict professional standard for all divers.

Instruction and guiding are available in both French and English, making it easy to integrate into the local diving community. Whether you are looking for structured training or guided exploration, the team provides professional support for all levels.

The centre offers a full range of training, from beginners to advanced divers. You can work towards your Open Water Diver certification or progress through to more advanced levels.

Beyond standard scuba, they offer specialty training such as Snorkeling or Freediving (PMT) for those looking to explore the reef top without a regulator.

The primary vessel is L'Equator, a 30m yacht that serves as your floating accommodation. It features 10 cabins, including 3 suites with ocean views, all equipped with air conditioning and private sanitary facilities. On board, you will find a video and hi-fi lounge, two shaded outdoor lounges, a bar, a sun deck with loungers, and a library. The yacht is self-sufficient with freshwater provided via a desalinator and 220V electricity.

A traditional Maldivian Dhoni accompanies the yacht on every trip. This vessel is dedicated to the dive operations, carrying the cylinders and heavy equipment, ensuring the main yacht remains a comfortable living space for you.

Diving kit is readily available for hire on the Dhoni, making it easy to travel light. For those who prefer their own equipment, the setup is designed for efficient logistics between the yacht and the dive sites.

Safety is a priority on board, with oxygen availability provided for all dives. The operation also includes Nitrox for divers looking to extend their bottom time.

The reefs are vibrant ecosystems teeming with life. You can expect to see various species of coral, including soft corals (Alcyonacea) and hard corals (Scleractinia), alongside an abundance of reef fish. Large schools of fish, including fusiliers (Caesio), snappers (Lutjanidae), and various jacks (Carangidae), often move through the water.

For those looking for larger inhabitants, the area is known for Manta rays (Mobula alfredi), various shark species including reef sharks (Carcharhinidae) and grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos), and several types of turtles (Cheloniidae). You may also encounter eagle rays (Aetobatus) and various species of rays (Batoidea).

Macro life enthusiasts will find plenty to observe on the reef flats and sandy patches, including moray eels (Muraenidae), scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), and various types of wrasse (Labridae).

The Maldives offers diving year-round, with the best conditions typically found between September and June. During this period, you can expect to encounter currents that sweep through the channels and passes.