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Rare Ocean Expeditions around the World
GET PADI OPEN WATER CERTIFIED
Dharavandhoo, Maldives
INR 1,39,000
09 July-14 July, 2025
5 Nights/6 Days
5* Star PADI IDC Centre
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Explore a Different World
About PADI Open Water Course
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E-learning from Home:
Begin your scuba journey at your own pace with PADI's e-learning platform, covering diving fundamentals, safety, and equipment use.
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Confined Water Sessions:
Five controlled water sessions to get acquainted with all skills with your instructor before you start your dives at open water.
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Open Water Dives:
Apply your skills in four open water dives (depths to 5 + 10 + 12 + 18 meters), experiencing real-world conditions, marine life, and the thrill of underwater breathing.
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Final Review and Test:
Knowledge review and test. Upon passing, you’ll be certified, ready for endless underwater adventures.
The PADI Open Water Diver course is a complete, carefully structured entry level scuba diving course designed to take you from a non-diver with little or no prior experience to a certified diver
Hanifaru Bay
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
In the eastern edge of the northern Baa Atoll in Maldives lies Hanifaru Bay, a place where hundreds of manta rays congregate to gorge themselves in the plankton-rich waters. This is the largest known aggregation of reef manta rays in the world.
There are only handful of places in the world where visitors can get so close to so many manta rays, and snorkel alongside them as they barrel-roll and create ‘fly’ in formation through the dense plankton.ounter manta rays and stingrays gracefully navigating the ocean.
From May to November, there can be found more than a hundred mantas and several whale sharks.
Course Prerequisite
Basic Swim Ability
You must be able to swim 200 meters without stopping and tread water for 10 minutes
Physical Fitness
You must have a reasonable level of fitness to ensure safety while diving
Age
You must be at least 10 years old
The Island
Dharavandhoo Island, Baa Atoll
At a Stone's throw distance from Hanifaru bay, Dharavandhoo Island is 25 minutes by domestic flight from Velana International Airport, Male. The beautiful Dharavandhoo lies in the heart of the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, and is ideally located to explore the most iconic dive sites in Baa Atoll.
Whale sharks sometimes cruise into the bay for a plankton feast, adding to the magic of manta season (May-Nov). The surrounding reefs are alive with turtles, napoleons, fusiliers, batfish, and vibrant reef fish. Deeper dives may reveal grey reef sharks, eagle rays, or even mobulas.
The Dive Centre
PADI 5 Star IDC Centre
Founded in the year 2016 with a team of local divers with decades of experience at your service, the dive centre provides incredible diving experience at some of the most stunning dive sites in Baa Atoll
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Expertise with Excellence : Highly trained and certified dive professionals
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Top-of-the-line Equipment : Best quality equipments, state of the art dive facility and well-maintained dive boat
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Environmental Stewardship : Actively supports marine conservation efforts & encourages responsible diving practices
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Safety Above All : Safety isn't just a priority; it's a way of life
The Stay
Perfect Blend of Local + Luxury
Born from love and dedication to nature, the sea and this country full of natural wonders and surprises, the guest house & their warm staff are waiting for you to make your precious holiday a memorable experience – far from the common.
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Located at a walking distance from the Airport
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Free Buggy service for pickup and drop
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Free Bikes to go cycling around the island
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6 mins from the Bikini beach
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In-house restaurant with carefully curated menu
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Spacious common chill-out area
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Garden and terrace
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I dive without any past experience
Yes, you can! The PADI Open Water Course is designed for beginners with no prior diving experience. It will teach you everything you need to know, starting with the basics through e-learning, confined water sessions, and open water dives, ensuring you're fully prepared and confident.
Does a PADI scuba certification expire?
Your PADI certification does not expire. If you haven’t been diving in a while and wish to refresh your scuba safety knowledge and skills, you can do PADI ReActivate course.
What if I feel claustrophobic?
People find the “weightlessness” of scuba diving to be quite freeing. Modern scuba masks are available in translucent models, which you may prefer. During your scuba diving training, your instructor will give you plenty of time and assistance to ensure you are comfortable.
Am I too old to take a scuba diving course?
No, it’s never too late to start diving. You only need to be in good health and reasonably fit. All PADI students are required to complete a medical questionnaire prior to diving. Some regions also require a doctor’s medical statement confirming you’re medically fit to dive prior to course enrollment/diving. As diving has inherent risks, minimum age limits are in place to ensure children can understand dive theory and react to situations responsibly, but there is no maximum limit.
Inclusions:
Domestic Flights (Male - Dharavandhoo -Male )
PADI Open Water Certification Course
2 Snorkelling trips to Hanifaru Bay
5 Nights Stay (twin-sharing)
All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Plenty of extras
Exclusions:
International flights
5% GST, 5% TCS (refundable/reclaimable)
Maldives Green tax ($6 per night)
Tips and Gratuity
Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Indian nationals receive a free visa on arrival in the Maldives
What makes us Excellent?
Safety First
Prioritizing your well-being, we adhere to the highest safety standards, ensuring a secure and worry-free diving experience
Top Accommodation
Our carefully selected accommodations and boat offer a perfect blend of luxury and relaxation, all while maintaining the highest level of service
Led by Experts
Dive into the depths with confidence, guided by our team of seasoned professionals who bring years of expertise and passion
Attention to Detail
From itinerary planning to personalized services, we pride ourselves on the little things that make a big difference, ensuring your journey is seamless
Founder's Note
Hello, I am Nishi and I’m a SCUBA diver, freediver, and entrepreneur. I used to be a data scientist but the call of Mother Ocean is bigger than us all. Few key life events and hours of introspection led me to quit the corporate world and I found myself sitting on the beach with a life jacket (yes, I did not know how to swim back then)! Over the last few years I’ve been grateful to have the opportunity to launch and grow our Maldives vertical, Mad over Maldives. Me and my team are humbled by the love and support we’ve received from our wonderful customers. Oceaon is now expanding boundaries and I am elated to host you in iconic dive destinations across the world.
Nishi Srivastava
Founder - Oceaon & Mad Over Maldives ,
Rescue Diver ,
Shark Enthusiast ,
Artist, Minimalist
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About Oceaon
Oceaon, a company founded by the same team behind Mad Over Maldives, renowned leaders in underwater expeditions in the Maldives. Oceaon specializes in organizing ocean expeditions and dive retreats globally.
Committed to the protection and conservation of the Earth's most invaluable resource—the Ocean—we aspire to inspire change by raising awareness and promoting education about the enchanting marine world.
When you book a trip with Oceaon,
You make a difference
A percentage of your booking will go to Marine conservation projects led by Oceaon's partner organisations.
100% CARBON NEUTRAL
Oceaon offsets 100% of its carbon emissions.
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