Dive and Sleep - All Inclusive Diving Guesthouse - 3 Dives per day

The diving is the main reason to come here. Jarda says it’s the best in the world, and after diving from Belize to Indonesia to Hawaii, I can see why he says that about South Ari. Every trip had a first for us, including two octopuses on one dive and hovering just meters from a group of sharks on a hook-in corner dive. Jarda knows the sites and when to visit them. If pampered luxury is what you want, you may be disappointed. The amenities are better elsewhere, but the diving won’t come close. Come ready to hook in and get close to some seriously toothy fish. There’s a simple elegance to the place, just as the name suggests: dive and sleep. The in-house chef makes great meals and has plenty of resort experience, including a mean reef fish. Jarda, a co-owner and dive master, is a fantastic host and organizer. He leads three dives a day, handles hospitality logistics, and helps guests with travel plans, all with bouncy, goofy enthusiasm. The rooms are tastefully minimal, with clean, cool concrete floors and a back patio with two net chairs. At the time of writing, the retreat was still fairly new, and everything seemed firmly built. The local staff welcomed us warmly. Within days, the atmosphere felt relaxed and family-like, with jokes and lively post-dive chats. (Video courtesy of Jarda)

For our honeymoon, we spent our first two days here. Midhoo helped plan a great surprise for my wife, and, since we had no diving experience, he was the best instructor we could have asked for. He stayed with us throughout the dives. We saw manta rays, black fin sharks, turtles, and all kinds of fish. They also made wholesome meals to suit our specific food request. Everyone felt like family. We’ll definitely come back.

Diving was the highlight for me. The instructor has been diving around here for over twenty years, chooses the best sites for the day, and takes you to a good variety of places. You might see the big ones if you’re lucky. This was my second visit, and I’m sure I’ll return. It’s a place to relax, with the feel of an older Maldivian resort rather than a luxury resort. The guesthouse is built from natural materials, and my room was spacious enough and cozy, with a lovely balcony and a great view. Don’t miss the sunset from there. The staff are kind and do their best for guests. The restaurant meals were wonderful too. Ingredients are limited on the island, but the chef still makes a variety of good dishes.

If diving and good company are what you’re after, this is the place. The island is very quiet, but with three dives a day, the time flies. Each dive takes you to a different site, with abundant marine life and, if you’re lucky, whale sharks too. Midhoo and the team made sure our wishes were met, so we enjoyed the stay to the fullest. The accommodation is modern and clean, and you can tell Midhoo put a lot of care into it. There was plenty of good food. It’s a remote, peaceful place with real attention to detail.