July 15 to 22
PADI Women's Dive Day has grown into the most celebrated day of diving on the planet. We encourage everyone to be part of the movement , and celebrate with a week excursion in the crystal clear, warm waters of the Maldives.
Below the water, you'll explore a pulsing coral world inhabited by a plethora of marine life. Whilst onboard, you'll share unforgettable experiences with those as passionate about diving as you are.
Alongside the daily dives and explorations of five of the Maldivian atolls, you'll enjoy ocean talks from local NGOs' guest speakers, PADI Specialty courses, and entertainment. You'll leave having made a real difference in the conservation of various ocean species that are fundamental to our marine ecosystems.
Overview
Best of Maldives Itinerary: N Male - N Ari - S Ari - Vaavu - S Male (no domestic flights required)
The itinerary covers one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems of the world. You'll be visiting five of the central Maldivian atolls with a mixture of vibrant pinnacle and deep channel dives.
Starting in Male Atoll on Saturday, we'll then cross to North Ari, offering spectacular shark diving opportunities. We make sure to visit all the famous dive sites, including Maaya Thila, Fish Head and Rangali Madivaru.
You'll spend a full day amongst the whale sharks and manta cleaning stations, in the South Ari Marine Protected Area.
Once we arrive at the Vaavu Atoll, you'll experience a once-in-a-lifetime night dive with nurse sharks and stingrays - residents of the iconic Alimatha Jetty.
Rounding off the trip, we'll cruise back to Male on Friday.
This trip is not only a scuba holiday, but a one-of-a-kind chance to meet fellow dive enthusiasts and create lifelong friendships.
Love Ocean Talks
Fish & Friends: A fish identification workshop so you can get to know the creatures you'll be swimming alongside. You'll discover fish surveying techniques and strategies for collecting valid data.
Marine Resources Management: Join a discussion unraveling the lack of environmental awareness within the diving industry. This program was designed to bridge the marine ecosystems knowledge gap and provide dive professionals with the ability to apply this knowledge to promote responsible dive practices among their clients and students.
Green Fins Maldives Workshop: An interactive course for divers and snorkelers alike, following the Project AWARE Specialty course, fostering travelers into new ocean advocates. You'll be provided with advice on how to enjoy the wonders of the reefs within environmentally friendly guidelines.
PADI AWARE Specialty courses
AWARE Fish Identification: In this course, you'll learn to identify unique fish and understand their characteristics. Not only does this mean you'll enjoy your dives more through recognizing the creatures you come across, next time you hear someone ask 'what's that fish?' you'll be the person with the answer. You'll practice what you've learned during two course dives. (To gain this PADI Specialty Certification you must be at least 10 years old and certified as min. Junior Open Water Diver).
PADI Marine Resources Management: You'll dive deeper into the ecology and biology of the coral reef ecosystems, exploring relationships between marine organisms like never before. Additionally, you'll be introduced to major marine resources management issues, and learn what you can do to support this underwater world. (This PADI Distinctive Specialty course was designed for dive professionals (min. Dive Master or equivalent), however everyone is welcomed to join).
AWARE Dive Against Debris: If you want to make a difference on every dive you make, this course is for you. In this course you'll begin learning about the widespread problem of marine debris, and you'll leave with the knowledge and skills to help tackle it. You'll be able to protect our blue planet through both clearing local dive sites of trash, and also completing crucial Dive Against Debris surveys.(To gain PADI Specialty Certification you must be at least 12 years old and certified as min. Junior Open Water Diver).
Project AWARE: In this interactive workshop you will learn how to channel your passion for diving into protecting the dive sites you love the most. This course will provide simple diving ethics to live by, and how you can make a difference when traveling, diving, taking photos and more. This course only requires a keenness to learn.
Movie nights
If you're looking to recharge and unwind whilst still reveling in the magic of the underwater world, join us at the spa deck to learn more about the ocean and how we can protect it.
You'll spend the evening inspired by the showing of 'Mission Blue', a feature documentary that follows oceanographer Sylvia Earle's campaign to save the world's oceans from threats such as overfishing and toxic waste, by creating a global network of protected marine sanctuaries.
Up next: 'She is the Ocean' showcasing female surfers, divers and marine biologists as they pursue their dreams, the film seeks to spark a light for future generations of ocean advocates.
Other events
As well as daily dives, we have plenty of other activities that not only bring you closer to marine life, but also brings you closer to those you're sharing this experience with. We have the #LoveTheUnloved UW photo contest challenging you to capture some of the most underappreciated marine critters. Additionally, we have the boat scavenger hunt, a firm favorite for all our divers. Additionally, we have a unique underwater photo booth to capture key moments to share with your family and friends.
If you're ready to take the plunge and have bucket-list worthy experiences that include breath taking dives, life-long friendships, and a lasting impact on ocean conservation, we can't wait to welcome you aboard.