As a PADI certified advanced open diver, every underwater adventure is novel.
Every dive is a new experience, where theatrics of another world take over your senses.
For Women’s Dive Month in 2025, I was ecstatic to be invited at the OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO in North Maldives. Having dove in the South part of the Maldivian Islands before, I wasn’t sure what to expect or what was in store for me.
Landing into Male, the other-worldly rings of the ocean and atoll welcomed me for the fourth glorious time. It’s never going to be enough, I thought to myself, as my flight landed onto the humble runway of the city of Male.
A quick 50 minute speed-boat ride got me to the resort, where I was greeted by a traditional Maldivian dance. Home for the next four days, my beach-pool villa was just minutes away from the dive centre and the spa – the much needed spaces for the upcoming week.
The view of OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO from the Indian Ocean
Sleep deprived thanks to a red-eye flight, I tried to get a nap in, only to wake up to thunderstorms which didn’t exactly spell diving. I decided to still jump in to test the waters and understand what’s in store, with some snorkelling equipment.
Getting a decent glimpse of the magnitude of marine life, just by snorkelling. I got a glimpse of what I might be in for. The resort’s house-reef is one of the most abundant ones in all of Maldives – and this isn’t an over-estimation. To the extent that if you’re lucky enough, you’ll probably be able to see all of the colours, drama and fish, just by snorkelling itself.
And just as I was settling into the waters, a storm caved in soon enough. I felt my heart-break; but still hoping that things would change by the next morning. And how they did.
Dive mornings are usually early, and not something I’ve ever complained about. It’s the easiest way to wake me up at 6am. They’re also rather simple. No breakfast, just check-in your dive gear and the instructors figure out the rest.
Ajay Antony of TGI Maldives during a dive briefing
At the resident school of the resort, the TGI Maldives, I was lucky enough to be partnered up with Ajay Antony, an Indian who pursued his love for diving, and moved to the Maldives after mastering it in the Andaman Islands.
Ajay knew his craft and the aquatic region like the back of his hand. I’ll be lying if I said there is no anxiety anytime I enter uncharted territories, even though it’s my safe space – the ocean.
We planned dives for the next few days to ensure I make the most of experience. OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO sits beautifully in a channel – which makes it an incredible melting pot for marine life to pass through. Imagine a huge highway in the middle of a busy city, and all aquatic animals must make their way across.
Starting off with a dive at Silvia’s Place, a drift dive site, seemed like an amazing way to begin the adventure. A drift dive is when a diver uses the current of the water to cover more distance. Honestly, this is one of my favourite kinds of dives; minimum effort and maximum return. You cruise through the water like you’re floating in space, seeing all kinds of fish pass you by.
Seeing the dramatic colours of the fish and their quirky behaviours is perhaps one of my favourite things in the world. I feel one with the ocean, as my breath slows down and I’m at my calmest. Away from the chaos of land, with nothing coming in-between you and this world. This almost extraterrestrial world that only a blessed few have the chance to experience. It’s the closest thing to inter-dimensional travel in my opinion, as nothing under water is what it appears, up on land.
The ocean and its salt has calming effects on the human body. It heals you from within somehow, and the feeling of jumping into a wild ocean makes my heart skip a beat each time.
Coral reefs of Silvia’s Place dive site near OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO
Climbing successfully back into the traditional Maldivian boat – a dhoni – I couldn’t tell how quickly 45 minutes went by. The rain Gods seemed to feel generous once again, and another turbulent storm ensured we couldn’t dive again the same day. However, we were greeted by some cheery pilot whales, who played along the waves and helped us not feel so sad after all.
The first meal of the day was at The Restaurant, with a buffet that could feed even the most ravenous appetites. Almost dizzy, with barely any sleep and enough nitrogen in my body, I indulged in the specialities of varied cuisines.
During the course of the trip, exploring different dive sites, I managed to rope in eight solid dives (including my very first night dive). I also earned my nitrox certification – under Ajay’s mentorship – which now allows me to use nitrox gas each time I dive. It basically shifts the composition of oxygen and nitrogen in your cylinder, allowing for more O2. This makes you less tired, allowing you increased decompression limits – means you can dive for longer, and reduces surface intervals. All culminating to more dives per day. Completing this – I was able to dive four times on one of the days, which is the highest number of dives I’ve done until date!
ELE|NA Ayur Spa at Oblu Helengili Maldives
Evenings were reserved for ELE|NA Ayur Spa. Even with Nitrox, fatigue hits you like a bus at the end of the day, especially with the amount that I was diving. The spa’s warm and talented staff ensured to release knots in my muscles, almost prepping me for the next day’s dives.
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO house-reef deserves way too many special mentions. I never thought I could spend just two hours snorkelling, but there I was, encountering something new each time I decided to surface.
Women’s Dive Month was special for me, as I completed almost 40 dives during this time. Still an amateur, I got a chance to learn under some of the most skilled divers of TGI Maldives. I came home with more freckles, a heart full of memories and an action camera filled with blue.
Words and Photos by Akanksha Maker
