Feb-2018
Working in the Maldives as a dive instructor
A month and a half goes by in the Maldives as if it was only a few days. Time goes fast when you’re having fun definitely counts here. All the days are filled with warm weather and more importantly, a warm ocean of 28 or more degrees Celsius. The job ritual is getting smoother and better by the day and the dive center team starts to become like a family. Dive sites get familiar and even local fish start to get names. Working as a dive instructor in the Maldives is a dream job for many people and we are the lucky ones to be here and actually do it.
Manta rays dancing around a cleaning station.
Sharky the Manta Ray
We have many dive spots that are between 20 to 50 minutes away from the island where we live. Yet even the house reef here at Reethi Faru is a treat for divers and snorkelers. One of my favorite dive spots is Sola Corner. It’s a place with Manta cleaning stations, which are reef blocks underwater creating a natural Spa treatment for the Manta Rays. Cleaner Wrasse are waiting to swim around the Mantas and bite off any parasites they have on their skin.
A Hawksbill turtle being friendly to me.
There is this one specific Manta that is quite curious. She sneaked up on me from behind and before I really realized that she was there she already was above me flapping her wings up and down. So gently, as she flew over me. My colleague was snorkeling with guests at the surface and it must have looked funny to see my reaction. By the time I noticed the manta I could see the contour against the sunlight coming from above. The manta missed a part of her pectoral fin leaving a gap. There must have been a shark that took a bite, but she got away and survived. We’re calling her Sharky now. Even though she must have a name given by the Manta Trust that we’re still not aware about. I didn’t get a good picture of Sharky because she had more time to look at me than I had to look at her, but she must be somewhere in my videos.
Kobaa?
There are still some dive sites where we have never been and this should make pretty much sense when you think about how long we’ve been here now. During the calmer days we join our colleagues on the “Dhoni” dive boat and explore. The area is getting more familiar and island names are starting to get easier to remember. Words from the Maldivian language Divehi start making sense slowly. “Reethi” meaning beautiful, “Bodu” meaning big and “Thila” meaning sunken island. Yet the most important word so far has been “kobaa” meaning where. Kobaa boat, kobaa this – kobaa that.
Batfish following us during a dive.
Pretty underwater flora.
Nemos!
Sea life 🙂
Colorful Anemone.
Squalo is the word
A few days ago I had this Italian boy to take care of in the water. He wanted to do a PADI Bubblemaker program. He was only 9 years old and therefore could only go to 2 meters of depth. Such small longs – we wouldn’t risk getting too much pressure underwater. A nice thing was that this boy was so comfortable and relaxed. Even more amazing to me was his favorite animal. I asked him in my best Italian and got the answer that he would love to see a “Squalo”, which is Italian for shark. I get truly happy when people get into diving and feel privileged and want to see sharks. During his Bubblemaker dives we saw moray eels, octopus, eagle rays, you name it. Unfortunately for my Italian buddy the sharks were not around these days, but it was a pleasure to see everything else that lives around the corals.
Moray eel and some cleaner shrimp living in the same hole.
A few days later I took a student diver to a place called Beriyan Thila and over there we were lucky enough to spot some beautiful Grey Reef Sharks. Curious animals as they are, they took a good look at us while we stared back at them. Beautiful.
Surface interval
Today I’m taking a break from diving. I guess my body needs it even though I love to be in the water every day. We tend to build up a lot of nitrogen bubbles in our bodies during all these dives, so it’s important to take breaks. Tomorrow it’s time to go and explore again and introduce people to the beautiful underwater world of the Maldives.
Happy diving!
Thom and I
Nudibranch
Have you ever dived in the Maldives? How was your diving experience there?
You might also be interested to read about diving in Mexico or perhaps the underwater fauna of Greece. You can also read about doing the instructor course.
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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thanks for the blog…nice to see read about the diving in and around Reethi Faru.
Did my first diving close by at Meedupharu. Now looking forward to annual dive trip – this time at Reethi Faru 🙂
Hi David! Thanks for the message. Good to hear you’ll be visiting Reethi Faru! When will you be visiting? Happy diving!
Hi Renate, I actually may have a job as a SCUBA instructor in the Maldives at a resort. I was reading up on people’s reviews – so nice to hear such a positive experience! Are you still working there?!