Last August, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives launched its “Dive Free” promotion offering guests free scuba diving. A year on, the promotion has been such a success that Kandooma’s Dive Free has been extended until 31 October 2025.
“When we launched DiveFree, we knew it would set us apart from our competitors and it has proven to be so – it has been extremely well received by scuba divers from all over the world visiting the Maldives,” said Mark Elletturu, General Manager of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
“Part of the success of the promotion is due to our location, close to some of the top 10 dives in the Maldives, just a 15-minute boat ride from the resort, allowing multiple dives per day.”
Speaking about the promotion, Mark explained that scuba diving is available to guests staying three nights or more.
“The ‘free dive’ element is treated the same as breakfast, snorkelling lessons and access to the kids’ club – it’s just part of your stay at Kandooma,” Mark added.
The resort is home to Kandooma Dive, a 5-star PADI resort dive centre with experienced and professional dive instructors, dedicated facilities and a dedicated dive boat. In 2023, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives was voted Best Dive Resort in the Maldives and has been nominated for the same award again in 2024.
Divers can expect to see an abundance of marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, colorful reef fish, turtles, eagle rays and a variety of coral species. Dive sites around Kandooma include:
- Kandooma Thila: This famous pinnacle is home to vibrant schools of fish, colorful coral reefs and an abundance of marine life including whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays, providing a fascinating spectacle of biodiversity.
- Guraidhoo Corner: Drift along with the current and spot schools of grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks and eagle rays. The dramatic underwater formations here add to the allure of this exciting dive.
- Cocoa Corner: Known for its thrilling currents, this spot is a hotbed of aquatic life. Divers often spot large marine creatures, such as hammerhead sharks and manta rays, swimming through the depths.
- Kudagiri: Kudagiri shipwreck is an interesting dive site in South Male, Maldives. It contains both a small shipwreck and a pinnacle. The site provides a comfortable habitat for a variety of marine life. There is almost no current around the area, making it suitable for inexperienced divers.
- Manta Point: Witness the mesmerizing dance of manta rays as they are consumed by small fishes in search of food. This location offers an awe-inspiring interaction with these majestic creatures.
- Kandooma Cave: Explore swimmable labyrinths and underwater caves adorned with sponges and gorgonians, a place known for its macro-organisms and the occasional large predator.
“We’re passionate about life below the surface – it’s a true aquatic wonderland,” Mark said.
“As an avid diver myself, exploring the deep blue waters and sharing it with guests is one of the highlights of my time in the Maldives,” he added.
Dive Free Inclusion is available to fully paid guests with a minimum 3 night stay. Two single tank group dives with two certified divers are included per villa per stay. All dives are fully guided and include free diving equipment, boat transfers and air/nitrox. Guests must be fit and fully certified to dive. This offer adheres to PADI best practices, no dives will be conducted on departure day and surface intervals will be observed. Unused dives may be carried over to other dates only at the discretion of the Dive Centre Manager. Unused dives cannot be redeemed for cash or exchanged for other services.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a beautiful natural paradise island in South Male Atoll, just a 40-minute boat ride from the airport. White sand beaches, swaying coconut palms and turquoise waters create the perfect backdrop for a range of leisure activities and some of the best diving in the Maldives.
Guests can choose from Garden Villas, Beach Villas, two-storey Beach Houses, three-bedroom Beach Pool Villas and the popular Overwater Villas, which offer direct access via ladder to the water below.
The Kandoo Kids Club is perfect for families, with a dedicated water zone with slides and a full activities programme.
After a day of diving, you’ll likely have worked up an appetite, so choose from six dining options serving a delectable array of dishes showcasing Maldivian flavours with Indian and Arabian influences.
For guests wanting to rest between dives or simply enjoy ultimate relaxation, sun loungers and hammocks are available throughout the island, while COMO Shambhala’s tranquil Kandooma Spa is the ideal place to unwind.
With the warm Indian Ocean abundant with marine life, excellent visibility and a 5-star PADI Resort Dive Centre, it’s clear why Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives was named Best Dive Resort for 2023. At Kandooma, scuba diving is elevated to an immersive experience that stays in your mind and memory forever – and it’s free.
