Rasdhoo · Alif Alif Atoll · Maldives
Dive in
paradise
Sharks, mantas and turtles. Spanish and international instructors. The Indian Ocean at your feet — without the resort price tag.
SSI dive centre
Nitrox available
Max. 4 per instructor
Limited spots · Small groups · Book in advance to secure your experience.
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50km
from Malé
by speedboat
by speedboat
The destination
Rasdhoo: the perfect island for diving
Just 50 km from Malé and 70 minutes by speedboat, Rasdhoo is the capital of Alif Alif Atoll. An authentic local island: no resort prices, with all the magic of the Maldives.
Local island, not a resortExperience the real Maldives: local restaurants, bikini beach, unforgettable sunsets and authentic island life at an affordable price.
World-class divingThe channels of Rasdhoo are part of the most renowned routes covered by Maldives liveaboards. Just 5 minutes by boat.
Spanish teamLalo, Clyde and Diego have spent 9 seasons in Rasdhoo. They know every current, species and corner of the atoll.
Does Rasdhoo sound good?
Ask us →
The diving
Dive sites
unique in the world
Over 14 dive sites. Channels, pinnacles, reef walls, wrecks and manta cleaning stations.
Channel · 3 min by boat
Rasdhoo Channel
Currents, sharks, eagle rays, turtles and barracudas. Advanced divers only.
Advanced
Pinnacle · 12m max.
Manta Point
Manta cleaning station in the North channel. Kneel on the sand and enjoy the show.
All levels
Reef · 4 zones
Kuramathi Reef
Four sites in one: Ori Faru, Three Palms, Bodu Gaa and Kuramathi Caves. Spectacular coral, ray families and rich macro life.
All levels
Reef · All levels
Madivaru Reef
Coral wall from 5m. Eagle rays, blacktip sharks, tuna and abundant marine life. Let the current guide you.
All levels
Channel · 5 min by boat
Madivaru Corner
The divers’ favourite. Sharks, eagle rays, Napoleon fish, turtles and sometimes mantas. It’s never the same twice.
Intermediate
Want to know which sites you’ll visit?
Ask us! →
Marine life
What awaits you
underwater
Grey sharks
Silvertip shark
Blacktip shark
Turtles
Eagle rays
Mantas
Napoleon fish
Barracudas
Tuna
Moray eels
Mobulas
Jack fish
I want to see this in person →
Limited spots per season
«Few atolls match that quality of diving. The main channels of Rasdhoo are part of the most famous routes covered by Maldives liveaboards.»
How it works
Your week in Rasdhoo
We take care of everything. You just have to arrive at Velana Airport.
01
You arrive at the airport
Clear immigration, collect your luggage and head to the pier. Your CORAL speedboat is already booked.
02
70 min by speedboat
The speedboat takes you directly to Rasdhoo. The Family Divers team will be waiting for you at the pier.
03
Diving every morning
2 morning dives starting at 8:00 with a coffee break. We’re done by lunchtime.
04
Free afternoons
Bikini beach, snorkelling, kayaking, sandbank trips, local restaurants or pool at the guesthouse with your fellow divers.
05
Extras: afternoon & night
We often add a 3rd afternoon dive, night dives or dawn dives for those who want more.
Does a week like this sound good?
Book my week →
Accommodation
Exclusively for divers
Our guesthouse is reserved exclusively for our divers. You share the week with the same people you’ll be diving with on the boat.
Private roomsSingle, double or triple
Buffet breakfastEvery morning from 7:00
Free WiFi+ universal plug adaptors
Social areaPool table and terrace
Private boatSpace and comfort
Want to check availability and prices?
Enquire now →
Before you travel
Everything you need to know
IMUGA Form
Required within the 96 hours before your flight. You’ll receive a QR code also needed for departure. If staying with us, enter Ras Residence Rasdhoo.
Free visa
EU, UK and US citizens: free 30-day visa on arrival. Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and a return ticket required.
Money & payments
Currency: Rufiyaa (Rf). Approx. 17 Rf = €1. Bring euros in €20–50 notes. There’s an ATM in Rasdhoo. For the final payment we ask for at least 50% in cash and in euros.
Connectivity
WiFi at the guesthouse and restaurants. Our recommendation: Ooredoo SIM at Velana Airport. 4G is much faster than the local WiFi.
Dress code
Muslim country: always wear a t-shirt away from the beach. At Bikini Beach (3 min walk) you can wear swimwear and snorkel from the shore.
Climate & temperature
Air temperature 27–30°C. Water at 28–30°C even at depth — you can dive in shorts. Voltage 220V, UK plugs (universal adaptors at the guesthouse).
Have questions about the trip?
We’ll help you →
Transport
Speedboat schedule
CORAL operates between Velana Airport and Rasdhoo (~70 min). We have your ticket booked — just say you’re travelling with Family Divers.
Airport → Rasdhoo
Arriving in Rasdhoo
Mon–Thu & Sat10:30 · 14:00 · 16:00
Friday09:30 · 14:00 · 16:30
Rasdhoo → Airport
Departing Rasdhoo
Mon–Thu & Sat07:30 · 10:30 · 13:30
Friday07:30 · 10:30 · 14:30
💡 Key for your flights: Plan your international flights taking these times into account. Contact us before booking — we’ll help you choose the best connections.
*Speedboat schedules may vary from season to season.
Need help with connections?
Write to us before booking →
Preparation
What to pack in your bag
🤿Dive gear (optional, rental available)
- Thin wetsuit (1–3mm) or lycra
- Mask and snorkel
- Fins
- Dive computer
- Torch if you plan night dives
- Surface marker buoy (SMB)
- Certification card
- Updated log book
📋Documents
- Passport (min. 6 months validity)
- Completed IMUGA form
- Return ticket
- FDM booking confirmation
- Dive insurance (mandatory)
- Dive medical form
- Cash in euros (€20–50 notes)
👙Clothing & beach
- Swimwear and beach clothes
- T-shirts (mandatory away from the beach)
- Shorts
- Open-toe footwear for the island
- Eco-friendly sunscreen
- Sunglasses and cap
Sea sickness medication: If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring anti-nausea tablets. We also recommend anti-diarrhoea medication, antihistamines and high-SPF sunscreen. Questions about medical fitness to dive? Ask us — we’ll send you the official DAN medical form.
Not sure what to bring?
Ask us →
Safety
DAN dive insurance
Dive insurance is mandatory at Family Divers. It is a company policy we apply without exception to ensure everyone’s safety.
If you don’t have insurance, we can arrange it on site through IDA Insurance LTD. All medical cover is backed by DAN.
Sort my insurance →
We arrange it for you on site
Available DAN plans
1
day
€20
3
days
€25
5
days
€30
7
days
€35
10
days
€40
14
days
€45
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know
Do I need to be a certified diver?
Not necessarily. We organise dives for certified divers (Open Water and above), discover scuba experiences for first-timers and full SSI certification courses. Tell us your level and we’ll design the perfect week for you.
How many dives will I do in a week?
Typically 2 morning dives starting around 8:30 with a coffee break. On many days we add a 3rd afternoon dive, and we also run night dives and dawn dives. In a week you can do between 14 and 18 dives.
Can I rent dive equipment?
Yes. We have a full range of well-maintained rental gear: regulators, BCDs, fins, dive computers, short and full wetsuits… We also offer Nitrox at a very affordable extra cost, ideal for maximising bottom time in the channels.
When is the best time to visit?
Air temperature hovers around 27–30°C all year and the water stays at 28–30°C even at depth. The dry season (December–April) offers the best visibility conditions, though we are active almost every month of the year.
Do I need a visa to enter the Maldives?
EU, UK and US citizens receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival. You only need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your travel date and a return ticket.
What is the IMUGA form?
It’s the traveller health declaration required by the Maldives. You must complete it on the IMUGA portal within 96 hours before your flight. You’ll receive a QR code that you also need for departure. We’ll send you the link with full instructions.
How does payment work?
Usually a deposit by bank transfer to confirm the booking. The balance is due at the end of your stay. We ask for at least 50% in cash and in euros. The remainder can be paid in cash or by European bank transfer.
Are there activities besides diving?
Plenty. Bikini Beach for snorkelling and sunbathing, sandbank excursions, kayaking, beach volleyball, fishing, local restaurants and cafés, and spectacular sunsets. In the evenings, the guesthouse with its pool table is the social hub.
Don’t see your question here?
Write to us on WhatsApp →
Reviews
What our
clients say
★★★★★
Google Reviews★★★★★ 5.0
TripAdvisor · 370+ reviews★★★★★
«They’re the ones to go to if you’re visiting Rasdhoo! I felt right at home. The people, the great atmosphere, the instructors, the dives, the feeling they give you when they talk about the ocean… WOW, all of it! I went for one day and stayed for ten. I got my Deep and Nitrox certifications and loved every minute. I left desperate to come back.»
★★★★★
«My experience couldn’t have been better. There’s a great vibe among everyone and you can clearly see that they love what they do. We will definitely be back to Rasdhoo to dive with them again.»
★★★★★
«An experience I don’t think I’ll ever forget. I did my Open Water with Diego — I was lucky enough to do it on the boat with the rest of the group. They took us to the best spots at exactly the right times to see hundreds of sharks, mantas, turtles and countless fish. I would definitely go back.»
★★★★★
«Diving with Family Divers was an experience that touched our hearts. It’s not just a dive centre: it’s a team that radiates passion, respect for the ocean and exceptional human connection. We’d go back without a second thought.»
★★★★★
«Spending a week diving in Rasdhoo felt like living inside a documentary. The team knows how to read the sea, looks after the group and creates an environment where you feel safe and happy. Rasdhoo is now one of my favourite places in the world. If you’re thinking about diving here, don’t hesitate.»
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The team
The ones who will guide you
We met in Malta, where we worked together for 7 seasons. One day we discovered Rasdhoo, fell in love with its waters and decided to make this small island our home.
We can’t wait to see you in Rasdhoo!
L
Lalo
SSI Instructor. Macro specialist
🇪🇸 ES
🇬🇧 EN
D
Diego
SSI Instructor. Fun dive specialist
🇪🇸 ES
🇬🇧 EN
C
Clyde
SSI Instructor. Experience in person
🇬🇧 EN
🇪🇸 ES
M
Marc
SSI Instructor. The best underwater videos
🇪🇸 ES
🇬🇧 EN
Ready to dive with them?
Book with the team →
Ready to dive?
Book your spot in
paradise
Limited spots per season. Small groups. Write to us and we’ll confirm availability within 24 hours.
