Diving with... Euro-Divers LUX, South Ari Atoll, Maldives

In this ongoing series, we speak with the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards from around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…

What is your name?

Mauro Guimaraens

What is the name of your business?

Euro-Divers LUX*

What is your role within the business?

Dive Centre Manager

How long has the business operated for?

Since 1997

How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?

8 years, Instructor

What is your favorite type of diving?

In the Maldives, channel diving, wreck diving and diving thilas.

If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?

We have whale shark sightings all year round. Our centre is also just 30 minutes boat ride from one of the most famous channels in the whole of the Maldives, with up to 15 thilas.

What is your favorite dive in your location and why?

Thila dives in channels where the current is strong, which means corals in great condition and exuberant marine life.

What types of diving are available in your location?

Whale shark diving (all year), thila diving, wreck diving, easy inside and outside reefs, night diving, fluo night diving and manta diving (seasonal)

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

Customer satisfaction!

What is your favorite underwater creature?

I have so many… everything from small creatures such as nudibranch to rays, turtles and sharks.

As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?

Weather conditions!

Is your center involved in any environmental work?

Yes, we are a 5 star member of the well known organization Green Fins. We participate in and organize beach clean ups and monitoring of dive sites for COTS (Crowns of Thorns Starfish). We also get involved in a lot of environmental events.

How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?

In the Maldives, the industry is generally well organised and really starting to develop much more.

What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?

The Maldives is in the world’s top five places for scuba diving and offers everything from the most exciting drift dives to the biggest fish in the world.