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Meet Tiago, Our Oceanic Manager at Finolhu Maldives Resort

welcome to an amazing ‘SILENT WORLD’

Endless fascination with the underwater life

Born and raised in front of the sea and influenced by Jacques Costeau documentaries since young, I’ve been diving in the four corners of the world. The first time I visited the Maldives was in 2008, where I fell in love with the country and kept returning to its shores. The beautiful Baa Atoll is recognized worldwide as a UNESCO biosphere reserve;  this keeps me going to protect its fascinating, yet sensitive underwater life for many years to come; and it is where I would love to continue sharing this amazing ‘silent world’ with others.

TIAGO – oceanic manager

A SENSUOUS EXPERIENCE

Life under water!

Life under water is more touchy-feely than you might think. Did you know that fish can hum, whistle, rumble, chirp, squeak, purr, and grunt? That a shark’s sense of smell is about ten thousand times sharper than that of a human being? That dorados, as marine biologists found out, develop an increased appetite when they listen to music by Mozart? That rays enjoy being touched? During our trips, you will not only get to see a lot but also learn a great deal about the underwater world through our Maldives diving packages. Baa Atoll is the world’s greatest hotspot for manta rays. From May to November, dozens of them come to Hanifaru Bay, only 30 minutes away by speedboat. And those who dive with them will remember the experience for the rest of their lives.

divers jump from the boat into the water and set off on a dive

Diving for everyone

Making everybody happy

Are you an experienced diver and would like to explore special corners of Baa Atoll with us? Welcome! Are you a beginner and would like to obtain a diving certificate? Welcome! You’ll be in professional hands at our PADI Dive Center. You can contact us directly at . We look forward to hearing from you!

Diving Course (PDF)
Excursions (PDF)
Equipment Rental (PDF)
CATAMARAN SAILINGS (PDF)
Green Fins Certification (PDF)

Breathe – Scuba Free Trial at the Main Pool
Always wanted to try diving? Here’s your chance! Our Trial Dive is short, safe and fun, catering to all ages upwards of 5 years old, so long as participants are healthy and willing. All you have to bring is your swimsuit and a smile. Please come to the Main Pool at the below timings.

When? Every day from 9:30 until 10:30 by main pool

Try Scuba/Discover Scuba Diving (approx. 2hrs)
This is the perfect introductory session for those who have never tried scuba diving before and want to learn. This discovery session includes a basic theory session with an instructor, followed by a shallow dive in the lagoon. For those that are confident and complete the requirements in the lagoon, we will be pleased to offer a follow up dive on our spectacular House Reef. If you find that you’ve taken to diving like a ‘fish to water’, subsequent dives can be arranged. The maximum depth for the House Reef and all subsequent dives is 12 meters. See the HUB menu for prices.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book
Enhance this experience: Every course is available on a private basis. Additional fees apply.

PADI Scuba Diver (2 dives, approx. 2-3 days)
This course represents the first internationally recognized diving certification. The course is split across 3 academic sessions, an associated 3 Confined water dives and 2 Open water dives. Upon completion of the course you will be issued with a certification that allows you dive alongside a dive professional to a maximum depth of 12 meters. See the HUB menu for prices.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book
Enhance this experience: Every course is available on a private basis. Additional fees apply.

PADI Open Water Diver Course (4 dives, approx. 3-4 days)
The full Open Water course consists of 5 academic sessions, an associated 5 confined water dives and 3 open water dives. This builds the fundamentals of scuba diving. The goal of the dives and academic study is to ensure you learn how to dive in a safe and controlled environment. Upon completion of the course, you will be issued with a certification that allows you dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

See the HUB menu for prices.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book
Enhance this experience: Every course is available on a private basis. Additional fees apply

Continuing Education
PADI offers a wide range of options for divers seeking to pursue specialist interests in diving. Advanced courses that we offer include Advanced Diver, Adventure Diver, Enriched Air Diver, Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response, among other specialties such as Night, Deep, Navigation, Underwater Photography, Boat, Wreck, Naturalist, Fish Identification, Boat, Drift, and more. If you have a specific interest, please do come and speak to our qualified team at the HUB.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book
Enhance this experience: Every course is available on a private basis. Additional fees apply.

Dive Boat Trips
Our daily dive schedule consists of a two-tank dive trip in the morning, offering you the chance to visit two separate sites before lunch. In the afternoon, we run a single dive boat excursion. We also offer a full day outing with 3 dives in season. Our custom-built dive boats (dhoni) are fitted with a toilet, shower and a sundeck for your comfort and convenience. For your personal safety, all of our boats are equipped with a radio, mobile phone, life jackets, first aid kits and emergency oxygen. See the HUB menu for detailed prices.

Private Instructors / Boat Charters
In addition to the regular schedule of activities, you may personalize your experience with us by requesting a private guide. If you would prefer the added luxury of being the only divers on a dive site, we can also arrange for a private charter of one of our dive dhonis or speedboats. See the private HUB menu for detailed prices.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book
Enhance this experience: Enjoy this experience on a private vessel of your choice. Please note that additional fees apply – see boat charter options for more information.

Night Dives
Night Dives are conducted at various dive sites around Finolhu, giving you the opportunity to experience the reef under different conditions. As night falls, an array of nocturnal flora and fauna emerges, transforming the landscape of the reef. Please inquire at HUB if you are interested in doing a Night Dive with us.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book.
Enhance this experience: Every dive is available on a private basis. Additional fees apply.

Nitrox Diving
Dive Butler Finolhu offers Nitrox Diving for those who are certified

Bubblemaker
Children aged 8 and 9 are invited to join us for the Bubblemaker experience in the swimming pool or quiet lagoon, where our team of experienced instructors will guide them through the steps necessary for safely exploring the underwater world. All participants must be physically fit and able to swim.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book
Enhance this experience: Every course is available on a private basis. Additional fees apply.

Try Scuba/Discover Scuba Diving (approx. 2hrs)
This is the perfect introductory session for those who have never tried scuba diving before. This Discovery session includes a basic theory session with an instructor, followed by a shallow dive in the lagoon. For those that are confident and complete the requirements in the lagoon, we will be pleased to offer a follow up dive on our spectacular House Reef. If you find that you’ve taken to diving like a ‘fish to water’, subsequent dives can be arranged. The maximum depth for the House Reef and all subsequent dives is 12 meters. Minimum age 10 y.o.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book
Enhance this experience: Every course is available on a private basis. Additional fees apply.

Junior Scuba Diver
The Junior Scuba Diver program is for children aged 10 and above, with similar content to the adult equivalent. Once complete, the participant is issued with a certification card. Depending of the age of the child, certain restrictions apply (must be accompanied by an adult, maximum depths of 12 meters), and once a child reaches 15 he/she is considered an adult diver.

When? Upon request, it is preferable to pre-book
Enhance this experience: Every course is available on a private basis. Additional fees apply.

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»Our primary intention is to make a positive impact on the world around us: on individuals and/or the environment. We do this by providing Life-Enriching Experiences.«

woman snorkelling in a reef with striped fish

SNORKELING

Wow, a UFO!

In the morning or at sunset it’s a great moment when you take your diving goggles and flippers (guests can rent the equipment for free) and plunge into the water. Perhaps you’ll be reminded of the first time you ever stood in front of an aquarium as a child and couldn’t believe that fish can be so colourful and varied. This is what our local reef is like but on a much larger scale, and you can reach it from your villa with just a few flicks of your flippers. And those who want the big tour can go snorkelling out to sea with the team. And continue to marvel – for example when a giant turtle rises like a UFO in front of your very eyes.

SEE SNORKELING EXCURSIONS

Dive Butler Finolhu

Team

The Oceanic Center is operated by a PADI team from Dive Butler International. The PADI 5* Dive Centre is made up of multilingual employees, including a marine biologist. Every one of them is a professional in his or her field. They are all enthusiastic about communicating the beauty of this underwater world to guests, and at the same time making them aware of the need to protect this wonderful habitat.

Meet Tiago, Our Oceanic Manager at Finolhu Maldives Resort
Oceanic Manager

Tiago

PADI professional since 2010, Tiago discovered the underwater world at a very young age. He has dived almost everywhere around the world, and he’s happy to be back at the Baa Atoll heading the Dive Butler Team at Finolhu. He speaks English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian and loves to surf.

Dive into Adventure with Our Expert Dive Butler, Rob
Assistant Oceanic Manager

Rob

Rob has dived all over the world and has worked in the Canary Islands, Riviera Maya, Antigua and now Maldives! He is a PADI MSDT and PADI Pro since 2012 and speaks English, Spanish and Welsh. He loves keeping active, playing sport and his favorite fish is the Clown Triggerfish!

Abby, the Marine Biologist, Part of the Finolhu Maldives Resort Team
Marine Biologist

Abby

Abby has been fascinated with the marine environment since she was a young girl, leading her to complete degrees in Zoology and Wildlife Conservation. She began diving in 2016, and has since dived and partaken in research in many areas of the world.  She loves to inspire others and watch them fall in love with the ocean, and her favourite sea creature is the Humpback Whale.

Meet Dan, Our Dedicated Dive Butler at Finolhu Maldives Resort
Dive Instructor

Dan

Dan is a dive instructor and marine biologist from the Maldives. He has been scuba diving and free diving since the age of 13. He loves to talk about turtles, sharks and rays, and is happy to share facts about marine life.

Meet Khaleel, One of Our Dedicated Dive Butlers at Finolhu Maldives Resort
Excursion Supervisor

Khaleel

Our CompTIA+ and Network wizard, Khaleel comes from Baa Atoll and is the perfect guide for your local island cultural experience. He loves teaching basic swimming and snorkeling classes.

Introducing Buddika, Our Dive Butler at Finolhu Maldives Resort
Compressor Tender

Buddika

Previously a watersports instructor in Bahrain, Buddi has worked also in his native Sri Lanka as
a tour guide. He loves the Maldives and looks forward to furthering his dive career with us.

Anhaf, Dive Butler Team of Finolhu
DIVE BUTLER Team

Anhaf

Anhaf is from the south Addu Atoll in Maldives who loves ocean activities, and is a great guide for guests on their fishing trips, dolphin cruises and snorkeling excursions.

Martina, the Dive Instructor, Part of the Finolhu Maldives Resort Team
DIVE INSTRUCTOR

Martina

A Swiss national, she fell in love with the underwater world after her first dive and worked as a PADI Open Water Instructor in Indonesia and the Maldives   She speaks English and German.  She loves to share her passion and knowledge about marine life.

Shafran, the Dive Master, Part of the Finolhu Maldives Resort Team
DIVE MASTER

Shafran

Born and raised in the Maldives, he has always been drawn to the ocean.  Snorkeling and freediving got him closer to the underwater world.  He has been diving since he was 18, and has worked on a liveaboard and dived all over the Maldives.

Jimo, the Master Fisher, Part of the Finolhu Maldives Resort Team
MASTER FISHER

Jimo

He originally hails from the Northern part of the Maldives.   He loves to teach anything to do with sport fishing.

Introducing Captain Rashid, Our Skilled Team Member at Finolhu Maldives Resort
PENGUIN CAPTAIN

Rashid

An experienced watersports instructor and boat captain.  He comes from Raa Atoll in the North of Maldives. He has a strong passion for the sea, and loves taking guests on memorable trips.

Shihaam, the Penguin Guide, Part of the Finolhu Maldives Resort Team
PENGUIN GUIDE

Shihaam

Born and raised in the Maldives, he is passionate about surfing and free diving.  He is also an Open Water Diver and loves snorkeling.

vigilant clownfish in its anemone

Our Tours

With the Dive Butler

We accompany our guests throughout the day to the most beautiful parts of Baa Atoll. From deep-sea fishing at dawn to diving in the morning and dolphin cruises at sunset – in a group or privately guided by our Dive Butler. Many of our staff grew up here and know the atoll like city dwellers know their local aquarium. And they also teach guests how important it is to feel at home under water – to keep their senses alert and observe everything in a relaxed way, as is only proper for a visitor from another world.

DISCOVER NEW WORLDS

Our Dives

The Baa Atoll and the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve offer an amazing diversity of fish life and coral formations for divers to enjoy.

MORE DETAILS

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