I think everyone in the world knows that Maldives is one of the top diving destinations in the world. I started diving a few years ago and dive almost once in two months if I can. It's a different world down below. What I really want to say is that even though we're rated as one of top dive destinations there are a very dive shops in Male'. I know only four of them. The prices are relatively good but they are not stocked with spares! I went to two of the shops the other day to try and see how informative the staff are about diving equipment. The two shops I went had to Bangladeshi guys doing all the work. They didn't know anything about the dive equipment. To whatever item I pointed at, they replied 'Varah rangalhu hunanee' or 'It's very good'. The Maldivian guy in the shop just waited without saying anything at one store. In the other one the Maldivian guy just told me to leave if I don't intend to buy anything they say is good!!!! What kind of customer service is that??? In the end, I couldn't even get what I wanted to buy even.
Photo (C) Kurt Amsler
I've dived with all the dive centers in Male' and I think the best one around is Sea Explorers. The staff are good and they take the diver to whatever dive site the diver requests whether permitting. Then there is Ocean Dive Desk, they work really hard to get customers and they go out almost everyday for dive trips. And finally, Maldivers Diving Center. Supposed to be the first dive center in Male'. They only go diving on Saturdays on the boat, otherwise they just jump outside West Park area where there is a sewage outlet! Sometimes its a bit annoying as there are some really annoying staff there.
Now i'm just thinking of which dive center to choose from to go on my next dive!
