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Ocean-Pro Diving

Dive with whale sharks & mantas on South Ari Atoll

Mirihi Island is one of the best diving resorts in the Maldives. Beyond an exceptional 6km lagoon with direct access to the vibrant house reef, the island has 50 different dive sites within an hour’s boat ride, where manta rays, whale sharks and coral gardens await year-round.

Whether you’re trying scuba diving for the first time or pursuing advanced certifications, our Ocean-Pro team ensures a safe and unforgettable experience. With a resident marine scientist, you can engage with Project Hope coral nurseries and the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme, combining adventure with conservation for meaningful encounters beneath the waves.

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Choose your dive course

Led by the Ocean-Pro Dive Team, our five-star PADI scuba diving centre offers expert-led courses with top safety and training standards for unforgettable dives.

Discover scuba diving

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Immerse yourself in the magic of the ocean for the very first time. Even if you’ve never dived before, our expert team will guide you gently through the lagoon, introducing you to the wonders beneath the surface before leading you on an unforgettable journey along the vibrant house reef.

PADI Open Water Diver

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Embark on a journey beneath the waves and become a qualified scuba diver. With no prior experience required, the PADI Open Water Diver Course guides you step by step – from theory lessons and confined water practice to open-water adventures – preparing you to explore the ocean with confidence. Over three to four days, immerse yourself in the mysteries of the deep, or begin online theory in advance to make the most of your time scuba diving in the Maldives.

Advanced Open Water Diver

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Elevate your underwater journey with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course. Designed for certified Open Water Divers, this experience takes you deeper – literally and figuratively. Explore the wonders of the deep dive, master underwater navigation and select three additional adventure dives such as night, wreck, drift or peak performance buoyancy. Over two to three days, you’ll enhance your skills, uncover hidden marine treasures and deepen your connection with the vibrant Maldives coral reef.

Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox)

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Discover the freedom of extended dives with the PADI Enriched Air Diver course. Designed for certified Open Water Divers and beyond, you’ll learn to safely use Nitrox, a specialised gas mix that allows longer bottom times and greater flexibility beneath the waves. Complete the theory in as little as two hours, then take to the Maldivian waters for two immersive dives.

Your questions answered

Have questions about diving at Mirihi? Explore our FAQs for expert guidance on seasons, dive sites and marine encounters.

When is the best time of year to dive in the Maldives?

Diving is possible year-round, but December to April (north-east monsoon) generally offers calm seas and excellent visibility. May to November (south-west monsoon) brings variable weather, occasional rain and changing currents, but also unique marine encounters. Even with strong winds and currents we can always find places to have easy and relaxed dives.

How do the seasons affect diving conditions?

Currents and plankton flow shift with the monsoons. During the north-east monsoon, plankton-rich waters are pushed west, attracting manta rays but sometimes reducing visibility. During the south-west monsoon, clear water flows into our side of the atoll, ideal for spotting larger fish like sharks, while manta rays move elsewhere. Conditions are assessed daily to match your skill level and preferences.

Can you dive in the Mirihi lagoon or is it just for snorkelling?

Mirihi’s sheltered 6km lagoon offers diving right on your doorstep. Our house reef is home to turtles, eagle rays, a massive school of batfish and much more. It’s a perfect spot for learning to dive and all our training takes place here. Just 50m out from the house reef lies the Madige, a 25m-long scuttled transport ship at 30m depth. Now a colourful artificial reef, it hosts tiger cowries, batfish, squirrelfish and a stunning carpet of sponges, tunicates and corals.

Where are the best dive sites near Mirihi Island?

Mirihi is conveniently located in the South Ari Atoll and offers access to more than 50 dive sites. Our fast dive boats allow access to both east and west Ari Atoll sites. Here, you can explore coral walls, channels teeming with reef life and manta ray cleaning stations. As the weather changes rapidly in the Maldives, planning more than a day or two ahead is difficult. Our experienced guides tailor each dive to current conditions, ensuring safety and optimal marine encounters.

Where can I see manta rays and whale sharks in the Maldives?

Manta rays follow seasonal plankton flows and are most commonly seen in western channels like Hukurudhoo Faru during the north-east monsoon. Whale sharks are less predictable, but the southern outer reefs of Ari Atoll are known for frequent sightings, with several weekly day trips organised to maximise your chances.

How often do diving trips run?

We offer daily diving trips with our boats, where we do not stick to a rigid schedule. We prefer to check which dive sites you would like to explore and which are the most suitable for the respective conditions. Our house reef is accessible to you at all times, even at night.

What equipment do you provide?

All diving equipment for rent is available with us. We take great care in maintaining and servicing all our dive gear to make sure you have a safe experience with us. Our diving fleet is composed of two boats, a modern fibre glass boat and a traditional wooden Dhoni. The crew is exceptionally well-trained in aiding divers and the captains know the atoll inside out.

Can anyone try scuba diving?

Before diving, our Ocean Pro medical team will need to assess whether you are fit to dive. You will be asked to fill in this medical questionnaire. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the questions, please be sure to bring along a confirmation from your doctor certifying that you are fit to dive. This is for your own peace of mind as well as ours.

Project Hope

Project Hope was created to protect and restore Mirihi’s fragile coral reefs by rescuing coral fragments and giving them a chance to thrive instead of bleaching on the sandy bottom.

What began as a simple idea – tying coral fragments to fishing lines – quickly grew into a structured conservation effort. Today, multiple nurseries, designed in varying shapes, nurture over 1,000 coral fragments, carefully sourced, transported and attached by the dive team.

Under the guidance of a resident marine scientist, these corals are now thriving, providing shelter for fish and adding complexity to the house reef. Guests and staff actively participate in cleaning and maintaining the nurseries, making Project Hope both a conservation initiative and a hands-on learning experience.

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