Villa Park
Villa Park
South Ari Atoll Maldives
Exploring the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area is essential for any diving enthusiast visiting the Maldives. Whether it’s your initial dive or another chapter in your underwater journeys, diveOceanus has got you covered. Our expert team provides a variety of PADI courses tailored for divers of all skill levels.
diveOceanus Villa Park
Villa Park is situated within the largest Marine Protected Area in the Maldives, known as South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA)
The South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area is home to whale sharks, manta rays, stingrays, turtles, dolphins, and a stunning variety of colorful fish.
This world-class diving destination offers unforgettable adventures for both beginners and experienced divers.
At diveOceanus, our skilled, multilingual team is ready to guide you through your PADI courses, ensuring you make the most of your diving journey. Join us for an exceptional scuba diving experience, and discover why this region is also a haven for freedivers as well.
- House reef diving & lagoon for training dives
- Daily scheduled boat dives.
- Speed boat on request
- Scuba & Freedive courses
- ScubaPro T1 BCDs
- ScubaPro Mk2 Evo Regulators
- Suunto dive computers
- 3mm wetsuit shorty
- Mask, snorkels & fins
- Aluminum Tanks DIN/INT Air & Nitrox
- Freediving equipment
- Diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs)
Our most popular courses
Bubble Maker Dives offer an unforgettable
one-on-one underwater experience designed for children aged 8 to 9 years olds. Led by certified instructors, these engaging sessions introduce young explorers to the exhilaration of scuba diving within a safe and controlled environment.Filled with activities, games, and exciting underwater challenges including fish and coral discovery, Bubble Maker Dives nurture a lifelong passion for marine exploration in the youngest of adventurers.Bubble Maker Dives serve as the foundational layer for children in their scuba diving exploration, providing an impactful underwater journey.
Open Water Diver course is your passport to the incredible underwater world. This comprehensive certification program teaches you the essential knowledge and skills needed to become a confident and independent scuba diver.
Under the guidance of certified instructors, you’ll learn dive theory, practice critical skills in confined water, and complete a series of open water dives. By the end of the course, you’ll be certified to dive up to 18 meters (60 feet) deep, and your license is for life, allowing you to explore underwater wonders anywhere in the world. Whether you’re a beginner with no prior experience or an aspiring diver, the PADI Open Water Diver course is your gateway to thrilling underwater adventures and a lifelong love for diving.
Discover Scuba Diving offers a captivating introduction to the underwater world without committing to a full scuba diving course.
Guided by certified instructors, participants learn essential skills and safety procedures, making it perfect for beginners and the curious. It’s a thrilling first step into underwater adventure.
Skills are practiced in shallow waters, and maximum dive depth with an instructor is 12 meters. No swimming skills required.
The Advanced Open Water Diver course is your next step into the exciting world of scuba diving. Unlike traditional classroom courses, this program is designed to be fun and engaging. It doesn’t involve quizzes or exams; instead, it focuses on gaining practical experience and expanding your underwater skills. Under the guidance of certified instructors, you’ll complete five adventure dives, including a deep dive training to 30 meters and a navigation dive. Additionally, you have the opportunity to choose and try one dive from specialty options like Nitrox, night diving, or wreck diving.
The Advanced Open Water certification not only broadens your diving horizons but also enhances your skills, making you a more skilled and knowledgeable diver.
Scuba Diver Certification provides a convenient gateway to the world of scuba diving, tailored for individuals with time constraints.
Led by certified instructors, you’ll gain dive theory knowledge, practice essential skills in shallow waters, and complete two supervised dives up to 12 meters deep.
Although less extensive than the Open Water Diver course, this certification allows diving under supervision of an Instructor and offers the option to upgrade to a full open water course, providing additional skill training and dives for future holidays.
The Enriched Air Nitrox Diver course is a specialized certification that opens up new possibilities in scuba diving. This course teaches you how to dive with enriched air nitrox, which contains a higher oxygen content than regular air.
Enriched air allows for longer no-decompression dive times, providing more opportunities to explore underwater wonders.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn how to analyze, plan, and execute nitrox dives safely. You will also discover the benefits of diving with Enriched Air Nitrox, while utilizing a complete air profile to ensure safer dives.
In summary, diving with nitrox is comparable to having an airbag in a car – it enhances safety.
View all of our dive sites on Google Earth
South Ari Atoll is renowned as a top destination to marvel at the breathtaking presence of whale sharks and manta rays in the Maldives. Villa Park is nestled within the largest Marine Protected Area in the Maldives, spanning 42 km² of coral reef known as SAMPA (South Ari Atoll Protected Area). This designation aims to safeguard the area, as it serves as a crucial aggregation site for whale sharks on a global scale. Additionally, Manta Rays grace the waters of South Ari Atoll.Villa Park is situated at the center of the atoll, we can easily access manta points during both monsoon seasons in the Maldives. During the Northeast monsoon (December to May), manta rays are typically sighted on the west side of the atoll. Meanwhile, during the Southwest monsoon (June to November), they can be found on the east side. This unique location allows for the exciting opportunity to snorkel with mantas throughout the year.
The area to be covered is vast, offering a diverse range of marine life encounters. Spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are a common sight, while the yearly migration of pilot whales can be observed from March to April. The Atoll provides a variety of dive sites, including reefs for leisurely drifts, thrilling channel dives, and exploration of Thilas and Giris. Marine life is abundant, with vibrant hard and soft coral formations, making it a truly unique and remarkable atoll to explore.
A Marine Protected Dive Site since 1995, Kuda Rah Thila is approximately 35 to 40 minutes away from Villa Park. Recommended for Advanced and Open Water divers, the shallowest part of the thila is 12-15 meters in depth.
To reach the dive site, the entry is coordinated and divers usually drift into the dive site. It is covered with bluestripe snapper, sometimes so densely that these fishes dominate the scene. The ambiance on the dive site is remarkable, with Giant Trevallies and Jack fishes hunting in the blue, while at times grey reef sharks are also observed. The eastern side of the dive site has some of the bigger overhangs and also a small archway. Magnificent giant gorgonian fans are common at depths ranging from 25 to 30 meters.
Bodufinolhu Thila is reached within 40 minutes from Villa Park. This beautiful submerged reef is located on the outer reef, approximately 20 meters away from the main reef. The entry is done on the main reef, and depending on the current, divers will be navigated towards the Thila. As you crossover from the main reef, lots of batfish come to greet divers. The bottom is sandy, and often there are whitetip reef sharks resting on the bottom, as well as stingrays.
The very top of the Thila is about 25 meters, resembling a small reef dune in the blue. Grey reef sharks and silvertip sharks patrol this area. The Thila serves as a cleaning station for many pelagic fishes due to its location out in the blue. Many shark species, manta rays, and other species come here to groom or take advantage of the cleaner fish that inhabit this area. Sharks can be seen hovering while the cleaner fish eat the parasites from them. Sometimes, sharks will open their mouths and hover, allowing the cleaner fish to go inside their mouths.
Bodufinolhu Thila is an eventful place where whale sharks, mantas, and schools of devil rays are seen in groups. A Nitrox profile is highly recommended for this dive to catch more bottom time. Towards the end of the dive, divers can navigate towards the main reef and drift along for the safety stop. The top of the main reef is covered with table corals and is also an eventful reef.
Hurolhi Corner is approximately 30 minutes from Villa Park. The dive site is best experienced with a medium drifting in going current. Divers jump away from the channel on the main reef and start drifting. As the site faces the open ocean, pelagic fishes are very common here. Schools of batfish can be seen on entry and also in the mid-section of the dive site. Grey reef sharks patrol the sandy bottom and sometimes venture into shallow waters when the currents are just right. Juvenile Grey Reef sharks are also observed at this dive site. Napoleon wrasse, stingrays, and eagle rays are very common. The dive is recommended for advanced divers, and a nitrox profile will add more bottom time, which is much needed for this type of dive.
Maamigili Beyru, known for its frequent sightings of whale sharks that patrol the main reef all year round. The bay offers a higher probability of encountering these magnificent creatures than anywhere else in the Maldives. The very long outside reef of Maamigili Island is sometimes prone to drift dives, where it’s easy to navigate. From the top of the reef (2-5 m) to the sandy bottom (30 m), the descent is quite steep, except at the corner leading into the atoll. This area is more gradual with many overhangs adorned with soft coral. The reef is always home to many large fish: tunas, barracudas, snappers, groupers, Napoleon wrasse, and many more, making this area very interesting. Along this reef, you can also see whit tip sharks resting on the sandy bottom or cruising around, as well as stingrays, eagle rays.
Manta Point, located approximately 45 minutes by boat from Villa Park, is a gathering point for Manta Rays, which come to feed on the plankton-rich waters between December and April. Some of the adult manta rays can reach a disc size of 2-5 meters giants and have distinctive special markings on their bellies, making each manta unique like fingerprints. The Mantas are quite used to divers; many make close passes within inches of divers. This reef top starts from 2-8 meters and gradually descends to 10 meters. After 10 meters, most of the reef drops vertically down to 25-30 meters. Some overhangs of all sizes line the north side. Out of manta season, the dive site is still worth visiting due to its abundance and richness in fish life. Along the reef top, you can always find Morays, Scorpionfish, Octopus, and Napoleon Wrasse. Triggerfish sometimes seem to obstruct the view of the surface due to the high number present on this reef. Along with Mantas, other pelagic species can be found, such as White-tip Shark and Stingrays, which stay near the sandy bottom at the base of the reef. On this dive, pay attention to the water off the reef; look into the blue, where you can also see Mantas flying past, along with large Tuna patrolling the reef water.
Diver propulsion vehicles (DPVs)
The DPVs offer enhanced range and power, enabling effortless navigation through currents, ideal for exploring vast reefs and crossing channels during dives. Our DPV course, comprising two dives, teaches essential theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Learn preparation techniques, DPV maneuvers, and vital safety measures, ensuring mastery in managing currents, avoiding entanglements, and maximizing battery efficiency. This comprehensive course covers both dives,certification, teaching materials, and essential equipment for a fulfilling learning experience.
Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) offer an effortless way to explore underwater. They are powerful and quiet, allowing you to glide smoothly through water even against currents.
Whether you’re carrying heavy camera gear or just looking to cover more ground, DPVs make it easy. Think of them as the golf carts of the underwater world—fun, convenient, and perfect for enhancing your dive experience!
To enroll, participants must be at least 12 years old.
Basic
Freediver course
The Basic Freediver course serves as a foundational segment within the broader Freediver course. It is designed to impart fundamental principles, breath-hold techniques, and optimal body positioning in a controlled pool or confined water environment.
Skills & Perspectives
The academic segment involves self-paced study through Freediver eLearning, complemented by hands-on training in confined water.
To enroll, participants must meet the minimum age requirement of 12 years.
- Goals
- Achieve a static apnea duration of 90 seconds.
- Accomplish a 25-meter (80 feet) underwater swim.
- Dynamic apnea.
- Technique used for the swim: Dynamic apnea.
Freediver
Course
Learn the art of freediving with our comprehensive course designed to master breath-hold techniques, encompassing static and dynamic apnea in confined water. Our aim is to help you achieve a 90-second static apnea and cover a distance of 25 meters using dynamic apnea. You’ll also delve into free immersion and constant weight freedives in open water, striving to reach a depth of 10 meters. Throughout the course, you’ll learn essential buddy procedures for safe diving practices. Participants will have the flexibility to engage in independent study through eLearning or class sessions.
To enroll, participants must be at least 15 years old.
- Goals
- Master breath-hold techniques static and dynamic apnea.
- Achieve a 90-second static apnea duration.
- Cover a distance of 25 meters using dynamic apnea.
- Reach a depth of 10 meters during constant weight freedives.
Our Most Popular Snorkeling Experiences
Experience our splendid house reef for snorkeling, absolutely free! The entrance is conveniently located at Alpontile Restaurant. Immerse yourself in a vibrant underwater world teeming with marine life, including batfish, blacktip reef sharks, parrotfish, stingrays, and even the occasional turtle.
This is a self-guided experience, so please ensure you’re a confident swimmer before setting out, as there are no lifeguards on duty.
Snorkeling gear is available for rental at our dive center center. Embark on a delightful snorkeling adventure in our beautiful house reef. Enjoy the vibrant underwater world at your own pace
Availability: Daily from 0900hrs to 1700hrs
Ready to explore beyond the lagoon and house reef? Join our Tropical Fish Fiesta Snorkeling excursion to immerse yourself in the vibrant underwater world, surrounded by breathtaking fish life. This local fish orientation is a great opportunity to learn about the most common fish species in the Maldives, including both their common and scientific names. Ask our guides for their local names as well. The Maldives shares many tropical fish species with South Asia, from the beautiful butterflyfish family to the diverse wrasse and angel fish families.
Make the most of your experience with our Fish ID Aids!
Availability : Saturday, Monday, and WednesdayTime: 0900hrs to 1200hrs
Friday: 0830hrs to 1130hrs
Villa Park is situated in the South Ari Atoll Marine Protected Area, renowned for its stunning dive sites and large pelagic species, including the majestic whale shark—an unforgettable bucket-list experience!
Few places in the world can offer year-round whale shark sightings, and we’re proud to say our location is one of them.
Availability : Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday
Time: 0900hrs to 1200hrs
Friday: 0830hrs to 1130hrs
In the Maldives, Hawksbill and Green turtles, both critically endangered, are commonly sighted thanks to robust protection laws. Hawksbill turtles, known for their vibrant shells and beak-like faces, are shy but approachable.
They play a key role in reef health by feeding on sponges. Green turtles, larger with rounder faces, are more elusive but sometimes embody the Maldivian vibe, resting or sleeping on reefs.
Both species are vital to marine ecosystems, and while observing them, we maintain a respectful distance, moving slowly without touching to ensure their safety.
Availability: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday
Time: 14:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs
Villa Park is ideally situated at the center of the atoll, providing easy access to manta points throughout both monsoon seasons.
During the Northeast monsoon (December to May), manta rays are typically seen on the west side, while during the Southwest monsoon (June to November), they migrate to the east side.
There are two types: Reef Manta Rays and the larger Oceanic Manta Rays, both of which belong to the same family and do not have stings.
Availability: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday
From: 0900hrs to 1200hrs
Designed for guests with limited time, Safari Express combines speed and excitement to cover a range of prime snorkeling sites in just four hours.
This adventure maximizes your chances to encounter whale sharks, explore manta ray hotspots, and snorkel alongside sea turtles—all in one thrilling excursion.
As we cruise from one spot to another, there’s also the possibility of encountering spinner dolphins. With the right timing, you might even spot migrating pilot whales or false killer whales, which occasionally grace the area during their periodic movements.
Availability: Saturday to Thursday
Time: 0830hrs – 1230hrs
Friday: 08:00hrs – 12:00hrs
Designed for guests seeking a leisurely adventure, the Marine Explorer on our traditional dhoani promises a serene and captivating journey. In just four hours, you’ll glide through the crystal-clear waters, exploring prime snorkeling sites at a relaxed pace.
This excursion enhances your chances of encountering whale sharks, discovering manta ray hotspots, and snorkeling alongside sea turtles—all while enjoying the tranquility and charm of a Maldivian dhoani.
Availability : Saturday to Thursday
Time: 0800hrs – 1300hrs
Designed for guests seeking a leisurely adventure, the Marine Explorer on our traditional dhoani promises a serene and captivating journey. In just four hours, you’ll glide through the crystal-clear waters, exploring prime snorkeling sites at a relaxed pace.
This excursion enhances your chances of encountering whale sharks, discovering manta ray hotspots, and snorkeling alongside sea turtles—all while enjoying the tranquility and charm of a Maldivian dhoani.
Availability : Saturday to Thursday
Time: 0800hrs – 1300hrs
Not a morning person? Our afternoon snorkeling adventure is perfectly timed to catch the wonders of the atoll as the day transitions towards sunset.During these hours, gentle currents draw a rich array of marine life from the inner lagoons to the outer reefs. You may witness feeding patterns in action, with tropical fish in abundance and a chance to spot pelagic species like whale sharks and turtles, both taking advantage of the changing currents. Some afternoons are truly mesmerizing, with vibrant reefs teeming with tropical fish.
Availability: Daily
Time: 1400hrs – 1730hrs
- Villa Park Sun Island
- Villa Park Sun Island
- Nalaguraidhoo South Ari Atoll
- 00220 Rep. of Maldives