Monday, July 8, 2024
Reading time: 4 minutes
Maldives Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma launched a ‘Dive Free’ promotion last August, where guests could dive for free. Due to the overwhelming success of the promotion, Kandooma’s Dive Free offer has now been extended until 31 October 2025.
“When we launched ‘Dive Free’ we knew this addition would set us apart from our competitors and it did. It has been extremely well received by divers from all over the world visiting the Maldives,” said Mark Eletr, General Manager, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
“I think part of the success of the promotion is also due to our location at the gateway to some of the top 10 locations in the Maldives, just a 15-minute boat ride from the resort, making it possible to dive multiple times a day.”
Mark discussed the promotion and explained that diving is included for guests staying three or more nights.
“The ‘dive-free’ element is treated in the same way we treat breakfast, snorkelling lessons and access to the Kids’ Club. It’s just part of a Kandooma stay,” Mark added.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has its own five-star PADI dive centre, Kandooma Dive. The centre is staffed with experienced and professional instructors, purpose-built facilities and a dedicated fleet of dive boats. Recognised as the best dive resort in the Maldives in 2023, the resort has been nominated again for the same prestigious award in 2024.
Divers at Kandooma Dive can immerse themselves in the rich marine biodiversity of the Maldives, encountering creatures such as manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, vibrant reef fish, turtles, eagle rays and diverse coral species. Key dive sites near the resort include:
- Kandooma Thila: This famous peak has schools of vibrant fish, colorful coral formations and an abundance of marine life including white tip reef sharks and eagle rays. It offers a spectacular display of biodiversity.
- Guraidhoo corner: This site is known for its exciting drifts and is a hotspot for grey reef sharks, whitetip sharks and eagle rays. The dramatic underwater structure adds to the excitement of the dive.
- Cocoa corner: This dive site is famous for its strong currents and attracts a variety of aquatic life. Divers often encounter hammerhead sharks, manta rays and other large marine life in the deep waters.
- Kuda Giri: This site has a small wreck and a pinnacle, creating a haven for diverse marine life. With minimal currents, it is ideal for less experienced divers who want to explore underwater wrecks.
- Manta Point:A popular spot to observe manta rays as they gather to feed and be cleaned by smaller fish. Divers can enjoy a mesmerizing interaction with these majestic creatures.
- Kandooma CavesDivers can explore passages and underwater caves filled with sponges and gorgonians, known for their macro life and occasionally larger predators.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives offers an unparalleled diving experience, guaranteeing unforgettable underwater adventures for divers of all levels.
“We are passionate about life beneath the surface, it truly is an aquatic wonderland,” said Mark.
“I am an avid diver myself and exploring and sharing the deep blue sea with our guests is one of the highlights of my time here in the Maldives.” he added.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives invites guests to explore the vibrant underwater world with its exclusive Dive Free offer. Available to full paying guests staying a minimum of three nights, this package includes two single tank group dives per day for two certified divers per villa. Each dive is fully guided, with complimentary dive equipment, boat transfers and air/Nitrox.
To participate, guests must be fit and fully certified to dive. In accordance with PADI best practices, there will be no diving on the day of departure and surface intervals will be strictly adhered to. Unused dives can be rescheduled at the discretion of the dive center manager but cannot be exchanged for cash or other services. Please note that certain stays, including loyalty reward nights, sponsored visits and some discount offers, may exclude Dive Free inclusions. This offer is valid for stays until October 31, 2025.
Situated in the South Male Atoll, just a 40-minute boat ride from the airport, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a natural island paradise. The resort features white sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and crystal clear turquoise waters, creating the perfect setting for relaxation and some of the best diving in the Maldives.
Guests can choose from a range of accommodation options, including Garden and Beach Villas, two-storey Beach Houses, the three-bedroom Beach Pool Villa and the popular Overwater Villas with direct access to the water. Families are well catered for with the Kandoo Kids’ Club, featuring a dedicated water zone with slides and an extensive activity programme.
After a day of diving, guests can enjoy a range of dining options at six food and beverage outlets, offering delicious dishes that showcase Maldivian flavours influenced by Indian and Arabic tastes. For those looking to relax between dives, sun loungers and hammocks are strategically placed around the island, while the tranquil Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala is the perfect place to unwind.
With the warm Indian Ocean teeming with marine life and excellent visibility, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, a five-star PADI resort, was named Best Dive Resort 2023. At Kandooma, diving becomes an immersive experience, creating memories to last a lifetime – and it’s FREE.
