>:=Has anyone been diving around this atol or can recommend any >sites near by?
Hi, I spent two weeks there last year and had some great dives with the resident dive school (Ocean Venture Diving run by a German couple: Ralf Schork & Sabine Schroedl). Their email is: <a href="mailto:fiha@dhivehinet.net.mv">fiha@dhivehinet.net.mv</a>. Languages are English, German and French.
It a small and very friendly setup. Nitrox is also available. We did two boat dives per day, as well as a few day trips across to the Guraidoo / Kandooma site of South Male where the better dive sites are. Diving around Fihalohi is a bit limited, but the coral is regrowing everywhere and fish were plenty. Saw some big sting rays, as well as an eagle ray at the house reef and some small reef sharks. The house reef is very pleasant and good at any time of day or night. When we where there in January there wasa group of baby black tip reef shark resident in the shallow lagoon.
You can get better rates by booking your dive package in advance directly with the school, especially the extra cost for boat trips. I wouldn't bother with the non-limit pack, and just buy a fixed number of dives instead e.g. two per day and a few extra dives for night dives so you can fit them in when you want. The boat tends to depart at 0900 and 1400 for one dive each. You might just get back in time to fit in one night dive before or after dinner, but if you have half or full board fitting diving in between meals is hard work ;-). Beware to book your dives for the next day at the school the night before.. they have a very strict booking system on a daily basis.. having got a non-limit dive pack did not guarantee a space on the boat each day.. most visitors are not divers and just do the odd day or so. Booking is strictly first come first severed. Have a great time.
Best
Anke