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Dive Review of Sub Aqua DiveCenter/Conrad Rangali in
Maldives/South Ari Atoll

Sub Aqua DiveCenter/Conrad Rangali: "Fantastic resort based diving in the Maldives (South Ari atoll)", Jan, 2015,

by Graham McGregor, Kilmacolm, GB (Top Contributor Top Contributor 41 reports with 24 Helpful votes). Report 8333.

Photos Submitted with this Report


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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 4 stars
Snorkeling 4 stars
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Sub Aqua are the dive operator based at the Conrad Rangali resort in south west South Ari atoll. I have been at this resort before and have filed reports previously. I went again in early January which is the dry monsoon period and the time when you get most reliable whale shark sightings. Rangali has a good and reasonably reliable manta point (with two or three cleaning stations) and I saw mantas on every one of the 4 dives I did on this site. I logged 12 dives in the
week. The highlight was the all day safari, with two really good morning dives, the first on a thila with mantas and whitetip reef sharks. The second dive was on a nice reef and we saw loads of whitetip sharks a turtle before a an 8m whaleshark cruised past us!!. Absolutely fantastic.
Sub Aqua are a good, professionally run operation. Nitrox
is avaialble and good quality rental gear. They were pretty accommodating,if I asked for the 1 tank dive to go to the manta point that wasn't a problem. It is the best short distance local dive site around (and attracts other resort dive centers and live aboards. Sub Aqua will provide a guide for the house reef, which I dived a couple of times. It is a decent house reef.
Beware, you will be asked to complete a check dive before they will take you on a dive trip. Either schedule this in advance or (as I did)convince them you don't need a check dive because you have been diving recently under similar conditions. Their system is pretty simple; one (or more)two tank morning dives, sometimes to advanced sites and a one tank afternoon dive, to a close local site. Once a week they run the one day three tank trip generally to the first site across the other side of the atoll then work their way back to Rangali, with time for a whale shark search and (hopefully) snorkel with a whaleshark.You sign up for the trip you want the day before. The diving is all from Maldivian dhonis and the crews are very experienced,friendly and helpful. Conrad Rangali is a five star resort with facilities (and prices) to match. There are multiple restaurants and dining options; two spas and great service. The diving, like the resort, is not cheap but it is good.
Websites Sub Aqua DiveCenter   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Galapagos; Sipadan; Komodo; Malapascua; Palau; Maldives; Red Sea; Caribbean; Cuba; Cozumel; Florida; Hawaii; Spain; Bali
Closest Airport Male Getting There From Europe excellent direct flights or connections via Gulf operators

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas currents, no currents
Water Temp 28-29°C / 82-84°F Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 20-25 M / 66-82 Ft

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions No diving below 30m - it's the law in the Maldives
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks 1 or 2
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 5 stars

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]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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