Dive Review of Ocean Dive Center in
Maldives

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Ocean Dive Center: "Still a great luxury hotel based dive destination", Sep, 2022, by Jane Goble, FL, US ( Reviewer 3 reports). Report 12108.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This was our 8th dive trip to the Maldives. Twice we were on liveaboards which were great but staying at the luxury Conrad Rangali and diving the beautiful South Ari atoll suited us just fine. The resort is beautiful with high safety standards, stunning private villas, and a variety of dining options on both of the islands that make up the visitors area. The dive operator is wonderful. Right on site with latest rental equipment if needed, as well as PADI classes, if desired. We always bring our own gear. Nitrox. Comfortable, spacious boats with wide rung ladders (wish every dive operator had these). Fresh fruit and cookies, fresh towels, bottled water, and a fresh water rinse available after each dive. In depth briefings by very knowledgeable dive masters and divers are grouped with others of similar experience - a huge plus. We have always visited the Maldives in either Feb. or Mar. but decided to take a chance on a Sept. trip. It was well worth it. Perfect weather for the 11 days we were there. No rain nor strong winds. The mantas aren't there at that time but the whale sharks are. We did not go on any whaleshark discovery trips because we have seen them many times on previous trips. Other divers did go and were rewarded. Many sharks on every dive (white, silver, and black tips plus gray reef sharks). Many rays and schools of every kind. Water temp. was a consistent 83F. Beautiful corals and fans below 15 - 20 feet. Visibility might have been not quite as good as spring trips but we have some beautiful GoPro shots. Corals in shallow waters have suffered terrible bleaching. In years past we spent many happy hours on the Conrad's house reef (the finest I ever saw in 38 years of diving). Sadly it bleached badly but there are signs of new coral emerging and we saw "baby" corals on frames for future transplant. But all of the fish are still at the reef just no turtles that we were able to see. The sharks still patrol the reef. We did 2 morning dives every day except our last day. An afternoon dive is also offered. There are now many nice, new hotels in Male if you need one. The sea planes to the Conrad only fly during daylight hours so if your flight arrives after 15:00 you will need to stay overnight and take a next morning flight. No alcohol in Male anywhere nor at the airport proper. A new bridge has been built by the Chinese connecting Male with the airport but ferries still ply the short distance back and forth. The flight in the seaplane is amazingly beautiful if not noisy. Strict luggage weight limits. The hotel is amazing and expensive. We often use Hilton Honors points for part or all of our stays. The diving was reasonable at approx. $68.00 USD per dive including tax and service. Nitrox is free and consistent at 32. This is the one place we really enjoy the beauty of the location AND the diving. We will be back for visit number 9. We do our "hard core" 3 - 4 dives a day elsewhere.
Websites	Ocean Dive Center [same]Conrad Rangali
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	501-1000 dives
Where else diving	[Unspecified]Egypt, Papua New Guinea, Sipidan, Raja Ampat, Bali, Philippines, Palau, Maldives, Thailand, Fr. Polynesia, Hawaii, Cozumel, Belize, Caribbean,
Closest Airport	Male (MLE)	Getting There	easy access via QATAR AIRWAYS direct from IAD
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	calm
Water Temp	-83°F / -28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	- Ft/ - M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	no
Enforced diving restrictions	[Unspecified] go with dive master which we enjoyed doing
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	yes
What I Saw
Sharks	Lots	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish	N/A
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter	N/A	Boat Facilities	N/A
Overall rating for UWP's	N/A	Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	[None]we use s GoPro and a couple divers had housing for their iPhones. We didn't inquire about photo facilities.

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Dive Review of Ocean Dive Center in Maldives

Ocean Dive Center: "Still a great luxury hotel based dive destination", Sep, 2022,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Ocean Dive Center in
Maldives