Diving FAQ

Yes, of course!

We should be able to show you mantas if you visit in our peak manta season (November to April). We have many sharks and you will see sharks on most dives. Most common are white-tips, black tips, grey reef sharks and occasionally hammerheads, but with some luck you can also see leopard sharks, nurse sharks, silvertips etc. There are hawksbill and green turtles in Rasdhoo Atoll and they are seen frequently. Whale sharks are extremely rare and not very common in this atoll, we do see them occasionally though but have no specific season.

Every diver is highly recommended to have a regular medical examination to ensure he/she is fit to dive. When you register to dive with us, one form you will be required to complete and sign will be the RSTC medical self-declaration. You should download this below in your preferred language and read through it. If you can answer all questions with “NO”, have no other medical conditions and are under 65 years of age, then a “Fit To Dive” certificate from a doctor is NOT required. However if you do happen to have to one or more “YES” answers, and/or are 65 years or older, then you would need to bring a “Fit To Dive” certificate from a doctor. If you are 75 years or older, our insurer applies special conditions; please contact us for more information before booking your vacation. If you have any questions or queries about this or would like any advice, then please mail us directly at diving@kuramathi.com

Download the RSTC medical self-declaration in your preferred language below:

• English
• French
• German
• Italian
• Spanish
• Russian

It is not necessary to book dives or dive packages unless you are part of a large group. Even once you arrive, you can simply dive and at the end of your stay you will be billed for the dive package that you have completed. Also most courses need no prebooking – however please contact us for Rescue, Divemaster and specialty courses before you book to ensure availability.

The “Hammerhead” Shark Point dive is an early morning blue water deep dive (30m) for Advanced divers or those with deep dive training. There is the possibility to do the dive at least three times a week at 6am, presently on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The dive site is only 8 minutes boat ride from Kuramathi and is one of the few remaining places in the world where you can occasionally see these magnificent animals. It is a spectacular dive if you see the hammerheads and if you are unlucky and do not see any, most divers still find this dive a fascinating experience and you may see other large blue water species (mantas, sailfish, other sharks etc.). The dive costs the same as any other dive. Divers without the required training can do it here if they wish.

Of course. Kuramathi is an excellent place to learn to dive with its spectacular marine life, warm water and good visibility. We teach hundreds of people to dive every year. As a first experience, we offer Discover Scuba Diving or Try Scuba is a 2 hour course for the complete beginner which will give you the opportunity to try diving with an instructor and includes a shallow dive in the lagoon. After this initial course, you have many possibilities and many people go on and complete the PADI/SSI Scuba Diver or the PADI/SSI Open Water Diver certification.

There is no requirement to have a specialized dive insurance in order to dive with us, but we highly recommend that all divers and prospective divers possess an insurance policy to adequately cover their medical and other expenses in the rare event of a dive accident. If you would like more information about affordable specialized dive insurance then we can recommend Dan Europe.

You will see sharks here, but we do not have great whites! Most people are concerned about sharks, but soon see that they are frightened of us and divers usually find the experience of seeing sharks a fascinating encounter and one of the highlights of any underwater adventure here. There really is little to be afraid about. None of us working here presently has ever experienced or seen a shark attack and between us we have more than 30,000 dives!

In addition to our exciting three times weekly half day safaris, we also run a full day three dive safari on Thursday. It is an early start at 6.00am and we return around 17.30, but is a great day out, diving some of the famous and spectacular sites in North Ari atoll, such as Maaya Thila, Fishhead, Malhoss Thila, Panettone and our Manta point to name a few. Breakfast and lunch is provided onboard and included in the boat fee. We usually need minimum 10 participants.

Yes, nitrox 32% is provided for no extra charge to nitrox certified divers.