? Banyan Tree Dive Center

Please find here some information about our dive center. We follow the philosophy of Banyan Tree. Our guests will find a comfortable, relaxed and personal service. All the courses and dives are done in small groups with all possible attention to the guests. We make a different to the mass diving you will find all around the world. Unique products like house reef diving on two islands take the need of our guests in consideration. We respect with our service their wish for freedom and relaxation in any of our offered products. There is another difference we make. We follow the green imperative of Banyan Tree. Already in our beginners courses you will find extensive information about the coral reef. Inside the PADI Open Water Course we include the PADI Project Aware specialty program where our guests find all the information they want to understand about the underwater world. Thanks to the close co

operation with the Marine Biologists which are located on the island we are able to offer special environmental dives wi th information about the reefs, also introducing our Lotus and the

turtle research project which has earned Banyan Tree the PATA Award 2002.

You see that there is a philosophy behind the diving in Banyan Tree. The guests discover a whole new world by diving with us. They leave with a better understanding of the Blue Planet. This and a 100% guest satisfaction are our main tasks. Banyan Tree Dive Center is “Official Partner Of Project A.W.A.R.E.” the PADI environmental program. In the following I want to give you some more information about our products . Courses: We are offering the full range of the PADI courses. PADI is the worldwide leader in sport diving education. We are a PADI 5 Star Palm Tree Resort.

Beginners can make the first steps into the fascinating underwater world of the Maldives in an easy and relaxed way under the supervision of our professional team. We teach in English, German, Spanish, Italian Japanese, Russian and French. Teaching Materials are available in English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian and Japanese. We are offering the following courses: Resort Course: This half day course contains a theory lesson with a video

shown about the basics of scuba diving. Then the guests will get an introduction about scuba diving from our staff for their safety. After completing some skills in the shallow part of the house reef just in front of the dive center we guide the beginners through their first experience in one of the world best diving destinations. Already on this dive they will see some of the habitants of the coral reef. Schools of Fusiliers, reef sharks, turtles and lobster are seen just in front of Vabbinfaru. An experience of a lifetime in a breathtaking environment! Scuba Diver: This is the shortened version of the PADI Open Water Course. It will be instructed over two days and follows basically the same structure as the Resort Course. We put our main emphasize to let our guests enjoying their courses from the very beginning until the ir last dive before they leave the island. The Scuba Diver Course is actually two third of the Open Water Program from PADI. Theory, Confined Water Session and open water dives are part of these programs. By finishing the Scuba Diver the students are allowed to go down with a PADI professional to a depth of 12 meter.

Open Water Diver: this course takes normally 4 days and ends with an international recognized diving certification. With this the diver can dive to 18 meter and is allowed to dive with a buddy independently worldwide. Here is where the real fun starts: already 4 open water dives are included in this course. The last dive will be conducted from our dive dhonies. Real fun! As a Banyan Tree Special we include in the beginner courses already environmental programs. Following the specialty course outlines for the PADI Project Aware (the environmental Project of PADI) and in co operation

with our Marine Biologist we are developing in the courses a deeper understanding of the underwater world. After finishing their Open Water course they will be automatically certified as Project Aware Specialist. We present our students also a special Banyan Tree Diving License which shows that our divers are trained in environmental awareness. We make a different! We believe that the deepest change in the mind towards the environment comes through the development of knowledge. We are not teaching with an attitude of “We know it better!” – we want to share our enthusiasm for the underwater world and help to understand it better. If you know what a coral reef is you will not destroy it. As a continued education we offer the PADI Adventure in Diving Program. Five dives that develop the skills of the student for new situations. This includes a deep dive to 30 meters, a navigation dive and three optional dives. The students can choose from a variety of special dives such as night dives, drift dive, Project Aware Specialty creating fun and a great experience. Also there is the chance to do several specialty courses which intensify the experience of the individual diving skills. Deep, Night, Boat, Naturalist, Drift, Navigation, Search and Recovery, Project Aware, Peak Performance Buoyancy just to name some of them. The Rescue Diver Program helps to create skill and confidence which enables the divers to help and assists others. Highly recommended as a minimum of education for any dive career. Finally the first step to be a professional. The Dive Master Program . After this course the student can conduct some part of the PADI Programs and is allowed to guide divers through their dives. All the courses are set in a very relaxed atmosphere and respecting the needs of our guests. No stress at any point. It is pure fun to dive and that is what we teach. Of course we respect all the safety aspects of diving.

Safety: We conduct on regular base internal refreshment courses of all rescue skills. All our guides are well equipped with additional safety equipment such as reels and surface markers. On all dive boats you will find Oxygen as first aid as well as MFA Kits. Radios and mobile are available. All staff is highly trained for emergencies. And of course all our attention is focused on avoiding the emergency before it occurs. In case: the next recompression chamber and clinic is just about 20 minutes from Banyan Tree. We offer special dive insurance from DAN (Divers Alert Network). Diving is just allowed to a depth limit to 30 meter. Computers are strictly recommended on all dives. No decompression dives are allowed. The diving:

The Maldives are well known as one of the best dive destinations in the world. The variety of fish, spectacular walls and drift dives, clear water and the colorful underwater world is the reason why there are so many from the diving society are hooked by diving here. It is fantastic what you can experience. Whale Sharks, Mantas, Sharks – name it we got it. Visiting the Maldives without getting your head under the water means really missing the best part of it.

We offer a great variety of diving. House Reef – after a check dive where we refresh the diving skills of our guests we offer unlimited house reef diving. The guests can go whenever they want together with their buddy to several places on the island. And even better: we are the only one on the Maldives – and I don’t know any other place – where you can dive on two house reefs. Here we can do that thanks to the close co operation with Angsana. Our divers can visit as part of their package also our sister island and will find a great variety of dive spots. This is a real unique product which is surely a great argument to visit Banyan Tree Maldives. Boat Dives - we offer different boat dives to some of the best dive sites of the Maldives.

We have around 40 different sites to explore. From spectacular drift dives over breathtaking wall dives to relaxed and easy sites you will find all the variety the Maldives can offer. We offer two dives on one trip in the morning and one dive from the boat in the afternoon. Our spacious dhonies (dhonies are the typical Maldivian boats) with a high experienced crew will bring you to the dive sites. In between the dives we serve fresh fruit and you will also find drinking water in your equipment box. Bathrobes will keep you dry after the dives. We respect the experience level of our guests when choosing the dive site. All boats are equipped with radios, mobiles, medic first aid kit and oxygen. All diving staff is trained in medic first aid and we established internal knowledge refreshment on a regular base. We assure the safety of our guests. Of course we conduct also night dives on our house reef and also from the boat. This is surely one of the great unforgettable experiences. Following our green imperative we also offer dives on the Lotus Project supported by our marine biologists. The divers have here the great opportunity to discover and to understand the sea which is surrounding the island. We use frequently maintained equipment. You will find 20 Scubapro MK2+ regulator, Scubapro and Aqualung BCDs. Diving torches from Treble Light, UWATEC Dive Computer (recommended for all divers) and 10, 12 and 15 ltr. Aluminum tanks. Also there are shorties and suits available. Our Top Ten dive sites:

MALDIVES VICTORY LOCATION: WESTERN SIDE OF HULHULE AIRPORT ISLAND DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 60 MIN BEST TIME: YEAR ROUND, HOWEVER NEED TO BE DIVED ON HIGH OR LOW TIDE DUE TO STRONG CURRENTS AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 15 TO 25 METERS DEPTH FOR REEF: 12 To 35m WRECK DIVE The Maldives victory is a 110-meter long cargo vessel that sunk in February 1981 due to navigational error. This dive will starts by the dive master attaching a rope to the mid ship that is situated in 12m of water. After descending down the line you will continue down till the deck where you will be shelter by the strong currents. Upon reaching the deck you will be amazed by the life which has called this ship home from large grouper, tuna, giant trivially also large masses of fusiliers. You many also come face to face with some amazing turtles which seem to guard to bow of the vessel, also amazing is the variety of corals which have started to grow here. You can explore into the accommodation and the bridge which makes you feel like you have steeped back in time, however the greatest of care must be take when doing so. After completing your dive you will once again ascend to the line to giving you a bird’s eye view of this beautiful vessel.

LIONS HEAD

LOCATION: SOUTHERN END OF NORTH MALE ATOLL. DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 60 MIN BEST TIME: WHEN WIND IS COMING FROM THE NORTH TO PREVENT LARGE SWELL AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 20 TO25 METER BUT MAY REACH 40 METERS PLUS BEST DEPTH FOR DIVING: AVERAGE 15 TO 20M MAX 30M WALL DRIFT DIVE Lions head is a protected marine area situated in video channel. An exciting deep wall with many over hangs which is subjected to strong currents, creating the perfect environment for a large variety of fish life, from the small basslets, red tooth trigger and fusiliers, to the larger pelagic such as tuna, napoleons and several deferent species of sharks and turtles. Also often seen are some beautiful nudibra nchs on the underside of the over hangs. The coral life on the reef is spectacular from nice soft and hard coral covering the reef to magnificent spongers on the overhangs.

KUDA HAA

LOCATION: SOUTH WESTERN SIDE OF NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 45 MIN BEST TIME: ALL YEAR ROUND AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 20 TO 25 METERS DEPTH OF REEF: 5 TO 35M THILA DIVE Kudu has is a protected marine park witch is shaped liked a two humped camels back coming up from 35meters of water to 6meters. A truly beautiful reef is covered in many different species of spongers, hard and soft corals. Also the amount of fish which live here will take you breath away you will find larger school of blue stripped snapper in the deep with sharks in the shallower areas you will find clouds of basslets, fusiliers and butterfly fish. You can also find many moray eels cleaner shrimp and hard to find fish like scorpion and leaf fish. This is truly a dive you need to do when you come to the Maldives.

GIRIFUSHI THILA

LOCATION: SOUTH EAST NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 60 MIN BEST TIME: YEAR ROUND ON HIGH OR LOW TIDES AND SMALL SWELL AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 20 TO30 METERS DEPTH OF REEF: 10 TO 40 METERS THILA DIVE Garfish tile is on of the most well known and also on of the most beautiful dives here in the Maldives. Due to it position between two outer atoll islands this dive can have very

strong, but this is what gives the beauty to this sit. The strong currents provide nutrient full water to pass over this reef giving the coral and the fish life plenty to feed on. It is a protected reef that has many overhangs, caves and crevices from about 30meter till the reef top of 10. Most of the reef is completely covered in yellow blue and orange soft hanging corals also stunning sea fans and other soft corals are present. The current rushing over the reef attacks magnificent variety of small reef fish and many larger pelagic species such ass schooling gray reef sharks, eagle rays, tuna and barracuda. To really enjoy this dive you will need to be a confident diver it is not suitable for beginners

MIDDLE POINT

LOCATION: SOUTH EAST NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 60 MIN BEST TIME TO DIVE: YEAR ROUND ON AN IN COMING CURRENT AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 20 TO 40 METERS DEPTH OF REEF: 1O TO 50+ METERS DRIFT DIVE Middle point is situated in tamburudhu channel and is a drift dive for the experienced. The reef is situated in the middle of the channel coming up from 100 meters of water to a top of 10 to 15 meters. When commencing the dive you will jump and descend in to the deep blue with nothing else to see till the ingoing current takes you to the start to the reef. When at the reef you will situate yourself at the front point of the reef watch large school of gray reef, silver tip and white tip sharks circling in the deeper water whilst also looking towards the surface you will see eagle ray dancing in the current accompanied by tuna and barracuda. After some time you will let the current take you again so that you can enjoy what this reef has to offer with magnificent corral and reef fish life. This dive is for the experienced adventures diver.

NASSIMO THILA

LOCATION: SOUTH EAST NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 45 MIN BEST TIME TO DIVE: YEAR ROUND AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 20 TO 30 METERS DEPTH OF REEF: 10 TO 35 METERS THILA DIVE The dive is situated inside the Bodu Kalki Channel and offer on of the most spectacular dives in the Maldives. Nassimo thila is a large reef however the area of interest is on the eastern side of the reef where part of the reef have broken away to form large pillars. These pillars come up from 40 meters of water. You will wind in and out off this section trying to take in the beauty of it all. The pillars are covered in blue, yellow, red and orange sort corrals also large gorgonian fans. After you will return to the main reef were as large over hang houses hundreds of different species of soft and hard corals as well and sponges. To accompany the corals is thousands and thousands of fish ranging from small reef fish such as basslets , surgeon and butterfly fish close to the reef

to large school of fusiliers that will be chased by large tuna , barracuda and travally. Turtles and often a very friendly napoleon wrasse are to be seen here.

MANTA POINT LOCATION: OUTER REEF SOUTH EAST NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 60MIN BEST TIME TO DIVE: YEAR ROUND AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 10 TO 40 METERS GIVEN THE TIME OF YEAR DEPTH OF REEF: 10 TO 40 METERS MANTA DRIFT DIVE Manta point is a long easy sloping wall dive and is nice to dive all year round however there are two different seasons you will be able to see different marine life. The seasons are broken into 2 six month periods, these periods are from March till October when the winds are coming more from the south bringing plankton to this side of the atoll also bringing the majesty giant manta ray which can grow over 4 meter wing spans. The mantas come up from the deep to visit a little fish called the colonial cleaner wrasse, the manta will hover over large blocks of coral which house the wrasse letting them get to work by cleaning the parasites from the giant manta ray. The second period is from October till march when this dive turn in to turtle point were you can see many humble turtles eating from the corals also numerous large schools of fish.

OKOBE THILA LOCATION: INNER SOUTH EAST NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 40 MIN BEST TIME TO DIVE: YEAR ROUND AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 15 TO 30 METERS DEPTH OF REEF: 10 TO 35 METERS THILA DIVE This marine reserve is on of the most breath taking dives in the Maldives , a small thila consisting of three different large rock formations. Unlike the other dive this dive will have a mooring line of the front of your dhoni for assent and decent. Once you descend down the line you will be met by a very friendly and curious napoleon wrasse that is coming to welcome you to his house. Continuing down the line it will be hard to see the reef which is only in 10 meters of water due to the amount of fish life that live at this dive site. Once you get to the reef it will be hard to believe you are not in an aquarium. The reef is not so large but it will be hard to take it all in one just on dive the reef is literally covered with beautiful soft and hard coral. You will find nearly ever specs of fish to be

found in the Maldives at this site. This is a truly beautiful and a must see for dives coming to north male atoll

RASFARI LOCATION: OUTER WEST NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 60 MIN BEST TIME TO DIVE: ALL YEAR ROUND AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 15 TO 30METERS DEPTH OF THE REEF: 8 TO 40 METERS DEEP DIVE Rasfari is a spectacular outer reef dive in north male atoll. The dive site is a large sloping wall witch started at about 10 meters and levels out at about 25 to 30 meters the once again ledges off and drops down till about 80 to 100 meters, making it a truly spectacular dive. You will commence the dive by following the sloping wall down to a single spot when then you will hover above the reef at about 30 meters watching gray reef, silver tip and white tip reef sharks circling right in front of you also there will be a large sized family of eagle ray which will be dancing in the current giving you a spectacular show. When starting your accent you will come across some giant barracuda, tuna and napoleons, also large schools of fusiliers, blue striped snapper and surgeonfish to complete the perfect dive.

SUNLIGHT THILA

LOCATION: INNER SOUTH EAST NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 40 MIN BEST TIME TO DIVE: FROM MARCH TO OCTOBER AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 10 TO 15 METERS DEPTH OF THE REEF: 5 TO 17 METERS MANTA DIVE Sunlight thila is a small reef that attacks many giant manta rays in the southerly wind season from March till October. The winds bring a large amount of plankton to this area there for bring the manta ray. Sunlight thila is a formation of two parallel reef divided by 70 meter of sand bottom on this sand bottom there are some small coral formation which are home to many cleaner wrasse. Many mantas will accent from the deep be cleaned by the wrasse. During the dive you will kneel on the sand whilst watching these majestic animals Circe ling above you waiting for their turn to be cleaned. It is not uncommon to see 10 or more manta on this very easy give making it a big attraction for the beginner and experienced divers.

BANANA REEF LOCATION: INNER SOUTH EAST NORTH MALE ATOLL DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 45MIN BEST TIME TO DIVE: ALL YEAR ROUND AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 20 TO 35 METERS DEPTH OF THE REEF: 5 TO 40 METERS WALL DRIFT Banana reef is a very well know dive site in the Maldives one of the first found and still one of the best. The dive like the name is a banana shaped reef. This is a truly spectacular dive but care need to be taken due to the strong currents which are sometimes found here. On the eastern side or the banana shaped side you some of the reef has broken away from the main reef where you will find all kinds of schooling reef fish and large pelagic. Also on the eastern side there is a large overhang where you will find a very large school of blue-stripped snapper. Carrying on the dive you will come to a pristine wall witch is covered in all sorts of life from many different morays and fish to some stunning corals.

Our House Reefs: VABBINFARU

BEST TIME TO DIVE: ALL YEAR ROUND AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 10 TO 25 METERS DEPTH OF THE REEF: 3 TO 30 METERS A beautiful house reef encloses Vabbinfaru Island, which house many different species of marine life. The reef is very suitable for snorkels but if you would like to take into the true beauty of the reef diving is definitely the better option. The reef has a top is in about 1 meter of water sloping slowly deeper till it reaches a sandy bottom of about 30 meters, however there is no need to go deep to be

amazed by the life found here. Starting a dive on Vabbinfaru reef is effortless, you will walk s traight of the beach into the lagoon, which provides perfect protection to get ready and even to practice some

skills. Once you are ready you can slowly exit trough on the many exerting channels and start your dive. Descending down you will often be met by some friendly fusiliers and batfishes. Continuing on there will be many different species of marine creatures to look for, from the obvious large school of reef fish to different variety of sharks like white tip, black tip and even nurse sharks. In the shallower water you will find some stunning cave where you will find rays, moray eels and giant lobsters. As positive consequences of the Green Turtle Research Project that is run on the island it is common to spot some very curios turtles Unfortunately due to El Nino the water temperature in the Maldives have risen to a state which caused coral bleaching, however Vabbinfaru and Ihuru have taken a strong initiatives to rejuvenate the reef. A joint effort with marine scientist and the Maldivian government a coral reef project has been introduced to Vabbinfaru and Ihuru house reef. The project is trying to replenish these reefs with new corals through electrolyses, were a steel structure has been place under the water and is powered by small amounts of electricity, through this process minerals are produced giving berth to new coral. This project is still unique to the Maldives. While staying at Vabbinfaru it would be a shame if you did not take the time to enjoy this fantastic house reef.

Our House Reefs: IHURU DISTANCE FROM VABBINFARU: 5 MIN BEST TIME TO DIVE: YEAR ROUND AVERAGE VISIBILITY: 10 TO 30 METERS DEPTH OF THE REEF: 1 TO 30 METERS Above the water Ihuru is the most photographed island in the Maldives whilst upper the water it is one off the best kept secrets. Only 5 mins from it sister island of Vabbinfaru this island has been blest with a magnificent house reef. This reef is suitable for snorkeling however to be able to really appreciate this reef you will need to dive. The reef cocoons this island with a marine paradise, starting at 1 meter the reef descends down to 30 meters. With nice walls, caves and a sunken barge to complement an abundance of marine life, such as large schools of big eyed trevally, sharks, morays ells and octopus, there is more than enough to discover on this beautiful dive. This reef also houses as like Vabbinfaru a reef growing project to rejuvenate the reef.

Overview and prices: Courses: All courses conducted from highly professional PADI Instructors following the PADI Standards. PADI is the strongest diving education represented organization worldwide. The dive center is a 5 Star Golden Palm Resort. Personal enthusiasm is the main characteristic of our teaching staff. Also the integration of environmental

awareness programs is an attribute of our training. Resort Course – half day morning or afternoon. Video, Instructions, shallow water training and 1 dive at the house reef 150 US$ Refreshment Course for already certified divers - – half

day morning or afternoon. Video, Instructions, shallow water training and 1 dive at the house reef 100 US$ Scuba Diver – 2 days, ends with PADI Scuba Diver Certification. Theory development, Confined Water Dives and 2 Open Water Dives. 370 US$. Open Water Diver – 4 days, ends with the Open Water Diver Certification. Theory development, Confined Water Dives and 4 Open Water Dives. 600 US$ Advanced Open Water – 5 dives over 2 or 3 days, ends with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Certificate. This course develops the knowledge and skills in different environment. This course is very practice orientated. 435 US$. Boat trips are subject to extra charge. Rescue Diver – 4 days, this course develops the skills and the knowledge to help others and to manage stress and emergency situations. A great experience and a big step in the diving career. 320 US$

Dive Master Course – 2 weeks minimum, here we develop the knowledge and ability to dive on a professional level. 1320 US$ Pre booking necessary. We also offer a whole variety of specialty courses such as drift, deep, navigation, night, boat, peak performance buoyancy and more. Prices on request. All courses are including 10 % service charge, materials and equipment. Also ask for our special honeymooner rates! Diving: these offers are only available for certified divers! From 1 – 5 dives 50 US$ each From 6 – 10 dives 40 US$ each From 11 + dives 30 US$ each Night Dive 60 US$ Packages: prepaid and not refundable! 6 dives 250 US$ 10 dives 400 US$ Including guide, tanks, weights, belt and 10 % service charge. As a special “ honeymooner” offer our guest can share the package with two. Dives are not including boat trip and equipment. Including guide, tanks, weights, belt and 10 % service charge Unlimited House Reef Diving: This is the Banyan Tree special offer and unique in diving. With one House Reef Pass you can visit two islands for diving. This offer includes transport by regular fairy to Ihuru and back, tanks and weights. Dive number one has to be with instructor and is a check dive. The dive center might make the decision to advice further training to divers to reassure their safety ! 3 Days : 270 US$ 5 Days: 420 US$ Boat Trips: 13 US$ per trip Equipment: per dive per day BCD 6 US$ 9 US$

(with regulator) 11 US$ 16 US$ Regulator 6 US$ 9 US$ Wetsuit 7 US$ 10 US$ (with Computer) 13 US$ 18 US$ Computer 8 US$ 12 US$ Torch 8 US$