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Diving with… Maldivers Diving Centre, Maalhos, Baa Atoll, Maldives

Published

5 years ago

on

In this ongoing series, we speak to the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…

What is your name?

Adam Abdul Raheem but people call me Dhaanu.

What is the name of your business?

Maldivers Diving Centre.

What is your role within the business?

Dive Centre Manager and a Director of the company.

How long has the business operated for?

Maldivers has been operating since 1999 but we moved to Maalhos in 2017.

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

Diving for over 13 years. Currently an SSI Divemaster Instructor.

What is your favorite type of diving?

I enjoy all types of diving. I like to take my time while diving and find different sorts of animals, and learn about them.

If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?

Dive local! We are a dive centre on a local island in the Maldives. You get to experience the actual Maldives. We are passionate about sharing the underwater world with all those who come our way.

What is your favorite dive in your location and why?

Dhonfan Thila in Baa Atoll. It is a small pinnacle and the marine life there is quite diverse. You can see both types of turtles, Sharks, Rays and the coral life is nice as well.

What types of diving are available in your location?

We have dives suitable for divers with all experience levels. There are reefs which are suitable for more novice divers or for those who like to do relaxed dives, and pinnacle dives which are for more experienced divers. No matter what type of diving, the marine life is great and there are interesting things to see. Manta Rays can be seen regularly from April to November. Sharks can be seen even at our island’s house reef.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

I’ve worked as a divemaster and dive instructor for several different companies. I am able to use what I’ve learnt in operating Maldivers. I get to see everything first hand and apply a personal touch. We aim to run the place exactly how we want a dive centre to operate: safety conscious and oriented towards meeting the wishes of our divers.

What is your favorite underwater creature?

The Manta Ray. I could spend all day just observing them swimming around. But I do love and appreciate all marine life. I try to go out every day to the sea even if there are no divers or snorkelers going out with us.

Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?

The community at Maalhos is working to become more environmentally friendly. Several key steps have been taken in doing so such as reducing the amount of single-use plastic that is on the island by operating a water plant that gives out water in reusable glass bottles and reducing household waste. Maalhos recently got an award for being the Leading Eco Island in the Maldives.

We plan to run dive courses specially catered for those who want to get into diving as a career. We would like to provide them with all the support needed to do so to come over to Maalhos and train with us.

As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?

Climate change is the biggest problem. The underwater world is changing so fast due to this. Some people expect all the reefs to be pristine and full of coral. But this is not the case. Some reefs in the Maldives are in bad condition due to coral bleaching. This being said, there are quite a few reefs which are healthy and in good condition. It is great that the atoll we are located in is a Biosphere Reserve and there is a degree of protection for the reefs here from different other stressors. Luckily fish life and other marine life is quite good.

Is your center involved in any environmental work?

Quite a few. We do beach and underwater clean-ups quite regularly. Sometimes every day. Whenever we go out on the beach we take a bag to collect any trash that washes up. Our divers and the locals like to join the clean-ups as well.

We do regular monitoring of Maalhos House Reef to check the health of the reef and the different fauna on the reef as well as do coastal monitoring to learn how the beach of the island moves with the changing seasons. The information we collect goes to a national database to become part of a larger pool of similar data that comes from all over the Maldives.

We are looking for more ways to be involved and to give back.

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?

Divers, snorkelers and free divers see and understand all the changes that happen to the underwater world and we are happy that quite a few of them are strong advocates for conservation.

We would like to see more people (who do not dive or snorkel) go out and witness the underwater beauty so they would understand the importance of protecting and preserving what little is left of our natural world.

What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

We aim to ensure all who visit our island home have a good time. We like to offer a personalised service to each person. All of our dives and snorkelling trips are done in small groups so that everyone can enjoy and we welcome people with all different experience and comfort levels to go out with us.

Where can our visitors find out more about your business? 

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Discover Curaçao with the Ultimate Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition

Published

15 hours ago

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November 22, 2024

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Dive Travel Curaçao is thrilled to announce the launch of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition, an expertly curated resource that unveils the unparalleled dive experiences and vacation possibilities awaiting you in Curaçao. Produced exclusively for the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) Show 2024, this special edition guide is packed with exclusive insights, travel tips, and limited-time DEMA offers that make it easier than ever to explore Curaçao’s stunning underwater landscapes and vibrant culture.

Explore Curaçao’s Unmatched Diving Opportunities

With over 70 diverse dive sites along its southern coastline, Curaçao is a bucket-list destination for divers of all experience levels. From thriving coral reefs and intricate marine ecosystems to historic shipwrecks, the island offers a variety of underwater experiences that are hard to match. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition provides detailed recommendations for both shore and boat diving, making it a valuable tool for divers seeking the best entry points, pristine reefs, and hidden treasures along the coastline. Whether you are an avid wreck diver, or a beginner interested in shallow reefs, Curaçao has it all.

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Uncover Eco-Friendly Dive Resorts and Top Dive Operators

This DEMA 2024-exclusive Curaçao guide goes beyond diving to feature insider information on Curaçao’s eco-friendly accommodations, dive resorts, and top-rated dive operators committed to sustainable dive tourism. From all-inclusive resorts that support coral reef restoration initiatives to charming boutique hotels near prime dive locations, the guide helps travelers find the ideal stay to match their vacation goals. It also spotlights trusted dive operators on the island who prioritize environmental preservation, offering travelers a way to enjoy the underwater world responsibly.

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Immerse Yourself in Curaçao’s Culture, Culinary Delights, and Adventure

Curaçao offers a vibrant Caribbean culture rich in history, music, and culinary fusion. The guide reveals Curaçao’s hidden gems, including culinary hotspots, historical sites, and eco-tourism opportunities that will appeal to both divers and non-divers. Visitors can explore the island’s iconic architecture, savor a diverse range of dishes influenced by Caribbean, European, and South American flavors, and embark on land-based eco-adventures, such as hiking, cave exploration, and visiting national parks.

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Exclusive DEMA 2024 Specials and Limited-Time Dive Packages

This special edition guide features limited-time DEMA 2024 offers on dive packages, accommodations, and excursions. Travelers who book through Dive Travel Curaçao, or our Curaçao dive travel partners attending DEMA, will have access to exclusive discounts on custom dive vacation packages, making it easier to plan an affordable, high-quality dive trip that fits your preferences. The Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition is designed to simplify your travel planning and help you dive deeper into the incredible experiences that Curaçao has to offer.

It’s Time to Dive Curaçao!

Now is the time to discover why Curaçao is a top dive destination in the Caribbean! Dive Travel Curaçao invites you to experience an unforgettable dive vacation with exclusive DEMA 2024 specials tailored just for you. To secure your spot, download a copy of the Curaçao Dive Vacation Guide – 2024 DEMA Special Edition and contact the Dive Travel Curaçao team to start customizing your Caribbean dive adventure today.

For more information and bookings, please visit Dive Curaçao’s website or contact our reservations team directly.

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Santa Divers take the Plunge for Charity

Published

2 days ago

on

November 21, 2024

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santa divers

Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.

Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!

santa divers

Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.

Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.

“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.

Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.

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