Filitheyo Island

Werner Lau Dive Centre

The Werner Lau dive centre on Filitheyo is an SSI centre offering a high level of service. The centre is both large and well maintained, occupying a good location opposite its own jetty. The house reef is one of the best in the Maldives, there is a tank ‘drop off’ service to the eight entry points around the island. All qualified divers are able to dive on the house reef in a buddy pair and there is no minimum experience level required, for solo travellers there is a "buddy up" system in place to ensure anyone who wants to access the house reef can. The 30m long KM Agro Mina was sunk in March 2010 to promote coral growth, provide a haven for fish and add further interest for divers. The wreck lies in 30 metres of water on the house reef and has been adapted to ease entry and exit, this is one of two wrecks that are accessible from the house reef.

Boats depart in the morning and afternoon to a great range of local dive sites, different departures cover easier and more advanced dive sites. As there are no other resort islands in the atoll you'll be the only divers on site! Two to three times a week, the centre runs full day trips on the boats to dive sites beyond the range of a single tank dive. Divers with fewer than 40 logged dives can also complete boat dives but will need to join the guided group (extra cost applies for the guide - see below). Experienced divers with 40+ logged dives are able to dive as a buddy pair on boat dives.

A full range of equipment is available for hire locally plus underwater scooters, 12L and 15L aluminium cylinders are available with DIN and INT fittings. Nitrox is also available FREE up to 32% to qualified divers. Use of a dive computer and SMB is compulsory, each diver must have their own and are available to rent if required. 

Dive site map

Dive Packs

Options available include 6 and 10 dive packages, plus an unlimited diving option. Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Dive Courses

With an excellent house reef, a range of diving courses are available for those looking to learn to dive. Please enquire for details.

Extras in Resort

• Certification fees for courses
• Boat trip
• Tank service fee
• Guide
• Local sales tax payable in resort
• Service charge
• Dive equipment rental: Full equipment is available to hire, including SMB, dive torch, fins, masks & snorkels

Getting Around & Basic Information

Male airport is located on its own island. The Airport island accommodates the main terminal, the seaplane port and the airport hotel (Hulhule Airport hotel). In the vast majority of cases, Male airport acts as the hub for all transfers between island resorts and atolls.

A narrow channel of water separates Male Airport Island from Male town and a regular inexpensive boat service operates between the two islands.

Once you are on your island resort, there is no ‘public’ transport to get around to other islands, you need to organise local excursions and join guided trips.

Twin centre stays, in most cases, hub through the central point of Male to reach your next island.

Climate

This tropical climate has 2 monsoon seasons. November to May is the northwest monsoon season, which is dry and sunny. June to October is the southeast monsoon and brings the wet season. Having said this, the period crossover of the monsoon seasons fluctuates each year and even during the wet season, one may experience weeks of solid sunshine and just showers in short, sharp bursts.

Air temperature is stable around 28 - 30° C and the water temperature rarely drops below 25° C. Spectacular diving takes place all year round.

Currency

Local currency is the Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR).

The tourist currency is US Dollar ($) or Euro (€). Island resorts charge in USD or Euros and bills can be settled with most internationally accepted credit cards at the end of your stay.

Time

The Maldives is +5 hours of GMT.

Flight Options

Emirates via Dubai from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Other regional departures may be available; supplement may apply. Regaldive's prices are currently based on Emirates. Supplements may or may not apply for other airlines dependant on seat availability.

Sri Lankan via Colombo, date / flight dependant, from Heathrow.

Qatar Airways via Doha.

Charter Flights: Flights are direct, once a week for 7 night durations departing Sundays and Mondays. We can tailor-make a quote for you.

Stopovers in Dubai & Sri Lanka available on request.

Internal Transfers to Your Island Resort from Male

Your resort/boat is reached either by sea plane or boat transfer from Male airport, distance dependant, with the exception of Haa Alifu atoll. Transfers are organised as part of your holiday package, unless requested otherwise.

Seaplane and Boat Transfers

Most islands close to Male offer speedboat transfers.

Island resorts located in Ari atolls, Raa atoll, Baa atoll, Lhaviyani atoll, Felidhe atoll, Meemu atoll, North and South Nilande atolls and Haa Dhaaul atoll are served by seaplane services.

Islands and liveaboards located on Haa Alifu atoll are reached by internal scheduled flight.

Some more distant islands offer a boat transfer as well, although as the transfer crosses between atolls they can often be long and uncomfortable and affected by the currents, so we opt to use the most comfortable option for each island.

If you are transferring by seaplane you should be aware of the following:

• Seaplanes do not operate a fixed departure schedule, but are planned daily according to the islands and guests that must be picked up and dropped off. The planning is carried out locally 24 hours in advance.
• Seaplanes often pick up and drop off guests from a number of islands on a single transfer run.
• Seaplanes only operate during daylight hours, generally 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• You may have to wait for a short duration after arriving in Male. On departing, the islands will transfer you back to Male as late a local logistics on that day will allow.
• On departing your island resort your return seaplane transfer time will be confirmed the day before departure by your resort.
• If you have a late international flight departing home, it is highly advisable you ask Regaldive to reserve a day use package for you at the Hulhule hotel.
• Seaplanes are not pressurised flights.
• Seaplanes typically operate a strict weight policy of 20kg for hold luggage.
• Excess luggage is currently $2/kilo to the island and $4/kilo on the return.

Inter Atoll Flights - Haa Alifu

Transfers to Haa-Alifu in the North involve an internal pressurised flight from Male. This is arranged and costed as part of your travel package to the north of the Maldives, unless otherwise requested.

Hulhule Airport Hotel - Day use & overnights

International and internal flight schedules occasionally make fairly long connection times in Male Airport inevitable. The Hulehule Airport hotel offers inexpensive day packages to non-residents for use of their beach, pool, showers, left luggage and other facilities. Pre-booked packages are available with Regaldive, for day use with and without a room, and overnight stays (refer to separate webpage on Hulehule Airport hotel).

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.