The Maldives operates on the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), though US Dollars (USD) are widely accepted and often preferred at guesthouses, dive centers, and tourist-facing businesses. Cards are accepted at most properties. There is an ATM on the island, though it can be intermittent. Carry sufficient USD cash for tips, tokens, and small purchases. We will advise on recommended amounts closer to departure.

Diving Skills & Experience

• Divers of all certification levels are welcome on this trip. Some sites, particularly channel dives, are better suited to Advanced Open Water certified divers. Please discuss your experience and comfort levels honestly before booking so we can plan accordingly.
• We reserve the right to ask divers who are not comfortable in specific conditions to sit out certain dives and join an alternative, shallower site instead. This decision is always made in the interest of your safety and the safety of the group, and is never a reflection on you as a diver.
• Buddy pairings will be arranged based on experience, comfort levels, and the conditions on the day. If you have any preferences or concerns, please raise them with the Bangalore Scuba pro on-site directly, ideally the evening before.
• A dive professional will be in the water with the group at all times. Daily briefings will cover the site, depth, currents, points of interest, and emergency procedures before every dive.
• We aim for a minimum of 2 to 3 dives per day, subject to weather, sea state, and group readiness. Dive schedules are indicative and may be adjusted on the day at the discretion of the dive professional.
• Nitrox is available at no extra cost. Please confirm with us in advance if you are not certified too use Nitrox – we can arrange for you to complete the course and get certified before the trip.
• Please discuss any special requirements, medical conditions, or dive limitations with us before booking. The Maldives is straightforward to access and the dive environment is safe and well-managed, but a little advance planning always makes the difference.

Hanifaru Bay & Manta Encounters

• Snorkelling at Hanifaru Bay is entirely weather and manta dependent. August is historically one of the best months for manta aggregations, particularly around the full/new moon, but we cannot guarantee manta rays will be present on any given day. Nature does not run on a schedule, and we appreciate your understanding of this.
• Scuba diving is strictly prohibited inside Hanifaru Bay. This is a Marine Protected Area regulation enforced by the Maldives government and applies to all visitors without exception.
• If Hanifaru Bay is quiet on a given day, we will pivot to manta cleaning station dives at nearby sites, where mantas can also be encountered underwater by divers. These are genuinely world-class encounters in their own right.
• All visitors to Hanifaru Bay must follow the guidelines of the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve without exception: no touching, no chasing, maintain a respectful distance, and follow ranger instructions at all times. These rules exist to protect the mantas and the bay for generations to come.

Health, Fitness & Medical

• All divers must be in good general health and free from any condition contraindicated for diving. A standard medical declaration will be required before the first dive of the trip.
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition, including but not limited to heart conditions, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, or recent surgery, please consult a physician and share documentation with us before booking. We are happy to help with this process.
• Dive insurance is mandatory for all participants. Links are provided and please contact us for a short-term DAN insurance link if needed. Please do not dive without valid cover.
• The nearest recompression chamber is located in Malé. In the event of a diving emergency, evacuation will be coordinated by the Bangalore Scuba dive pro in conjunction with local operators and emergency services.
• Flying after diving: please ensure you observe standard no-fly times (18+ hours minimum) after your last dive before your return flight. We will build this into the trip schedule and advise the group accordingly.

Dharavandhoo & Local Island Life

• We will be based out of Dharavandhoo, a local inhabited island and not a resort island. This is one of the things that makes this trip genuinely special: you experience the Maldives as it actually is, not through the lens of an all-inclusive resort. It does come with a few things worth knowing before you arrive.
• Please dress modestly when away from the designated swimming beaches or pool. Bikinis and boardshorts are perfectly fine at the designated swimming beach (aka Bikini Beach). When walking through the village, near the mosque, or visiting local shops and restaurants, please cover up. A light sarong or a change of clothes is all that is needed. This is standard practice on all local islands in the Maldives and very easy to follow.
• Alcohol is not available, and it’s consumption is prohibited on the local islands in the Maldives. Dharavandhoo is a dry island. Please plan accordingly.
• Dharavandhoo is a small, close-knit community. Please be respectful of local customs, greet people warmly, and be mindful of photography. Always ask before photographing residents.
• Accommodation on this trip is at a personally vetted guesthouse that is comfortable and well located. Expect clean, well-appointed rooms that suit the island setting. Air conditioning, hot water, and Wi-Fi are standard, though reliability can occasionally vary.

Getting There: Flights & Transfers

• Dharavandhoo is served by domestic flights from Velana International Airport in Malé. The flight takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes. 
• We will share recommended flight times and coordinate arrival windows for the group.
• International flights into Malé are your responsibility to arrange. We are happy to advise on recommended arrival windows and layover times.
• All in-destination transfers are included unless otherwise stated.

Weather & Conditions

• This trip runs in August, during the south-west monsoon season. Rain arrives in short tropical showers and rarely affects diving schedules in any meaningful way. The upside is fewer tourists, the full manta spectacle at Hanifaru, and a genuinely local, unhurried feel to the whole trip.
• Seas can be choppier during the monsoon and some surface intervals may feel a little rougher than expected. If you are prone to seasickness, please come prepared with medication. We will always advise on conditions on the day.
• If adverse weather makes diving unsafe, we will reschedule where possible or offer alternative sites. Your safety is always the deciding factor. No refunds apply for weather-related dive cancellations, but we will do everything we can to maximise your time in the water across the trip.

Payments, Cancellations & Transfers

• A deposit is required to secure your place on the trip. Full payment is due 4 weeks before departure. We will confirm the exact schedule on booking.
• All payments are non-refundable once made. If you need to withdraw from the trip, please let us know as early as possible. If we can find a confirmed replacement for your spot, we will carry your deposit forward for the replacement to reimburse you directly. You are always welcome to nominate a replacement diver yourself.
• We have been running trips to the Maldives for a good part of the past decade, and cancellations on our end are genuinely rare. If we do have to cancel due to force majeure or circumstances beyond our control, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to us. We are not able to take responsibility for independently booked travel or accommodation, including domestic and international flights, which is one of the reasons we strongly encourage comprehensive travel insurance.
• Trip itineraries are indicative. Dive sites, accommodation, and schedules may be adjusted based on weather, availability, or operational requirements. We will always communicate any changes promptly and transparently.

Staying Connected

• A dedicated WhatsApp group will be set up for all participants before departure, for pre-trip planning, logistics, flight timing, and updates throughout the trip.
• A Bangalore Scuba dive pro will be available every evening for a chat with each diver. Please use this time to share how your dives went, flag anything that is not working for you, and let us know if you would like any changes to the next day’s plan. Early feedback means we can act on it quickly. We want this trip to be brilliant for everyone.
• For any questions before booking or before departure, please get in touch with us over WhatsApp at +91 98803 34003 or +91 70440 72204, or email at info@bangalorescuba.com