Other Divers

Overview

In our two decades exploring these atolls, we've seen countless dive operations come and go, but Other Divers on Huraa stands out as a genuine local island success story. As a PADI 5-Star Dive Center and an SSI Dive Center, they've built a reputation for professionalism and a warm, inviting atmosphere that makes every guest feel like part of the family. This isn't a glossy resort operation; it's a dive centre rooted in the local community, offering an authentic Maldivian diving experience from one of North Malé Atoll's most accessible inhabited islands.

With a stellar Google rating of 4.9 from 95 reviews, Other Divers clearly resonates with those seeking high-quality diving without the resort price tag. Guests consistently praise the experienced local instructors and the friendly, personalized service, often describing their time as a "great experience" with a "perfect team". Whether you're booking direct or through a Huraa guesthouse, Other Divers is an excellent choice for marine adventure lovers keen to explore world-class dive sites from a vibrant local island base.

Diving with Other Divers

Other Divers, like many reputable local island operators, provides a comprehensive range of diving experiences and certifications. For those new to the underwater world, they typically offer Discover Scuba Diving programs, allowing beginners to experience the thrill of breathing underwater in calm, shallow waters under expert guidance. If you're looking to get certified, they run both PADI and SSI Open Water Diver courses, the essential first step to becoming an internationally recognized diver. Already certified? You can advance your skills with their Advanced Open Water Diver course or simply enjoy fun dives, exploring the spectacular sites around Huraa. Equipment rental is readily available, and for certified divers, nitrox fills are typically an option, extending bottom time on repetitive dives.

The real magic, as always in the Maldives, lies beneath the surface. Huraa's strategic location in North Malé Atoll provides access to some of the archipelago's most renowned dive sites, often just a short dhoni ride away. We're talking about vibrant coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs, and exhilarating drift dives through channels (kandus) and around submerged pinnacles (thilas). Famous sites like Banana Reef, known for its healthy corals and diverse fish life, and HP Reef, often called "Rainbow Reef" for its stunning soft corals, are within reach. You'll also find yourself diving sites such as Okkobe Thila, Kuda Faru (also known as Finger Point or Shark Point), and Kurumba Reef, each offering unique topography and marine encounters.

The marine life here is simply astounding. Divers frequently encounter majestic manta rays at cleaning stations like Lankan Manta Point, especially between May and November during the southwest monsoon. Year-round, you can expect to see various reef sharks, including grey reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, and sometimes nurse sharks resting in caves. Schools of vibrant fusiliers, snappers, and bannerfish create living walls of color, while eagle rays glide gracefully by. Keep an eye out for green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and a plethora of reef fish like butterflyfish, parrotfish, and angelfish. While whale sharks are more reliably found in South Ari Atoll, seasonal sightings can occur in North Malé Atoll during plankton blooms. With water temperatures consistently between 27-30°C (81-86°F) and visibility often extending 20-40 meters, the conditions are almost always perfect for exploring this underwater paradise.

Getting There & Good to Know

Huraa is conveniently located in the North Malé Atoll (also known as Kaafu Atoll), making it one of the most accessible local islands from Velana International Airport (MLE). We always recommend coordinating your transfer with your guesthouse or Other Divers directly, as they can arrange shared or private speedboats that offer the most efficient way to reach the island. A speedboat ride typically takes a swift 15-25 minutes from Malé or the airport area, costing around $25-35 USD per person. For the more budget-conscious, the public ferry is a charming alternative, departing from Malé's Villingili ferry terminal and taking approximately 60-75 minutes to Huraa. Do note that speedboats generally don't operate after dark, so a late flight arrival might necessitate an overnight stay in Malé or Hulhumalé.

• Best Months to Visit: Diving is excellent year-round in the Maldives. For the calmest seas and best visibility, we'd suggest the northeast monsoon season from December to April. If manta ray encounters are your priority in North Malé Atoll, the southwest monsoon from May to November offers the highest chances at sites like Lankan Manta Point.
• Book Ahead: Especially during peak season (December-April), it's wise to book your dives and accommodation in advance.
• What to Bring: Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle. A rash guard is also great for sun protection while snorkeling or surface intervals.
• Currents: While many sites are accessible to all levels, some channels (kandus) in North Malé Atoll can experience strong currents, offering thrilling drift dives better suited for advanced divers.
• Local Culture: Huraa is a local island, so we encourage respectful dress in the village areas. There is a designated bikini beach for sunbathing and swimming.

aMaldives Verdict

Our take: Other Divers on Huraa offers an exceptional and authentic Maldivian dive experience, perfectly blending professional PADI 5-Star and SSI certified services with the laid-back charm of a local island. Their consistent 4.9-star rating speaks volumes about the personalized attention and world-class diving accessible from Huraa, making it ideal for those seeking genuine encounters with the Maldivian underwater world. The only caveat is that while mantas are common, reliable whale shark sightings are more consistently found in the South Ari Atoll.

— aMaldives Editorial Team, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of dive certifications can I get with Other Divers on Huraa?

Other Divers is a PADI 5-Star Dive Center and an SSI Dive Center, meaning they offer a comprehensive range of courses. You can typically undertake Discover Scuba Diving experiences, and achieve full certifications like PADI or SSI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. They also offer specialty dives and fun dives for certified divers.

What marine life can I realistically expect to see around Huraa's dive sites?

The dive sites around Huraa in North Malé Atoll are teeming with diverse marine life. Divers frequently encounter reef sharks (grey, white-tip), nurse sharks, eagle rays, and several species of turtles. Expect to see vibrant schools of fusiliers, snappers, and bannerfish, along with Napoleon wrasse and various moray eels among the healthy coral formations.

How do I get to Huraa Island from Velana International Airport (MLE)?

Travellers typically reach Huraa by either a public ferry or a shared/private speedboat from Malé. Speedboats offer a quicker transfer, taking around 15-25 minutes, and can often be arranged directly by your guesthouse on Huraa. The public ferry is a more budget-friendly option, taking approximately 60-75 minutes from Malé's Villingili ferry terminal.

When is the best time of year to dive with Other Divers for manta rays?

For the highest chance of encountering manta rays at famous cleaning stations like Lankan Manta Point in North Malé Atoll, we'd suggest visiting during the southwest monsoon, which typically runs from May to November. For snorkelers, Rasfari North offers good manta sightings during the northeast monsoon, from December to April. While whale shark sightings are less common here than in South Ari Atoll, they can occur during plankton blooms.

Is Huraa Island suitable for non-divers or families with young children?

Absolutely. Huraa offers a genuine local island experience with a designated bikini beach and various non-diving activities like snorkeling trips, resort day visits, and sandbank excursions. Other Divers also caters to beginners with Discover Scuba Diving programs, and the island's calm lagoons and house reefs are ideal for snorkeling, making it suitable for families and those not looking to dive.