Diving FAQs

Besides your usual dive gear, please remember to bring your logbook and dive certification. If you plan to dive with Nitrox, don't forget your Nitrox certification either. Since we're in an area with strong currents, every diver is required to bring a dive buoy, and we also recommend bringing a reef hook.

Our dives happen from the dive dhoni. Your dive equipment stays on the dhoni. You can leave your BCD and regulator attached to your tank for the whole trip. The only time you'll need to detach your BCD and regulator is when we move to a different atoll, as the tanks need to be refilled on the main boat. For the rest of your gear, you'll have your own dive basket under your seat.

We have 12L tanks with DIN and INT connections on board, so you won't need to bring an adapter. Plus, we've got weights and weight belts ready for you.

Depending on how sensitive you are to cold, we suggest a long 3mm or 5mm suit. A shorty is also an option, but we really recommend a long suit because of the risk of stinging creatures on the reef.

Since 2020, the Nautilus Two has been equipped with the "ENOS" location system, so you don't need to bring your own. Most dives in the Maldives are drift dives, and our dive dhonis will follow you on the surface. So, bringing a surface marker buoy (SMB) is a must and required for every diver.

We expect you to have at least 40 logged dives. Our dive guide can exclude a diver from a dive if they don't meet the requirements for the upcoming dive due to their experience level or if they are under the influence of alcohol. Unfortunately, in such cases, that dive cannot be refunded.

Snorkeling fins (full-foot fins) are actually totally fine because all dives are done from the dive dhoni. So, you won't need to walk over the reef top, rocks, or sand with your gear. The water temperature averages around 28-29°C all year round.

A reef hook isn't strictly required, but we do recommend it, as currents can be really strong depending on the season. For photographers or videographers, having a reef hook is definitely an advantage.

If you have your own dive light, we definitely recommend bringing it. As every diver knows, a light comes in handy even in shallower depths (overhangs, caves, etc.). Since we do 1-2 night dives on all our safaris (weather permitting), we're happy to provide our lights for free during these dives. However, you can also rent them for the entire duration of your stay for a fee.

We recommend a dive medical examination for every diver. However, it's not strictly required in the Maldives. At the start of each safari, every diver will receive a liability waiver, confirming their fitness to dive is their own responsibility. Furthermore, for your own safety, we strongly recommend getting dive insurance that specifically covers hyperbaric chamber treatments on Bandos Island in case of a diving accident. 

We recommend bringing your own familiar equipment. Of course, if needed, we do have spare equipment available. If you want to rent equipment from the start, please let us know when you book (what you need, sizes, etc.).

Absolutely, that's no problem at all! Our spacious cabins can be booked for single occupancy, or for double occupancy, they come with queen-size single beds. Buddy teams are arranged after the check dive, in consultation between the dive guides and guests. And it's always possible to dive with the dive guide as your buddy for all dives.

Besides enjoying the spacious areas of the Nautilus Two, like the salon, sundeck, or the jacuzzi at the bow of the ship, you also have the option – depending on the dive site – to join the dive on the dhoni as a snorkeler and experience the underwater world of the Maldives that way. If the chosen dive site isn't suitable for snorkeling due to currents or depth, our crew can take you by dinghy to a nearby reef for some unforgettable snorkeling experiences.