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5 Myths about Scuba Diving

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This guest blog is written by Rutger Thole who is a passionated scuba diver and instructor. After traveling the world and the seven seas he founded Book Your Dive. Where divers can review, compare and book their scuba dives

Maldives Promotion House – Scuba diving is a recreational activity/sport which is becoming more and more popular worldwide now as more and more people get scuba certified. A number of myths are held amongst most people when they think of Scuba diving that puts them off of even attempting it. This blogpost will attempt to debunk some of these strange myths and perceptions that people have about scuba diving.

Lets take a closer look at “5 myths about scuba diving”.

Myth 1) Lots of divers get killed by Sharks

It must be said that Jaws did no good for the reputation of scuba diving. Anybody who has ever seen the movie seems to now count themselves as an expert who knows that diving is an unsafe sport due to sharks lurking in the water. The record for sharks killing or even injuring divers is rather dull to look at so completely goes against the myth that scuba diving is unsafe due to sharks. An interesting statistic is that in 2005 in the U.S 27 people were killed by “man’s best friend” yes your dog! Whereas only four people worldwide died from sharks suggesting dogs are more dangerous than sharks! In fact there is ZERO shark attacks recorded in Maldives for the past 10 years.

 

Myth 2) Diving will cost you an absolute fortune

Another myth that puts people off is that they think they will need to fork out a king’s ransom to just start learning to dive. Of course like any sport it helps to have the best possible equipment, but in scuba diving you actually only need three basic pieces to start off with ; a mask, a snorkel and a pair of fins. Generally you can rent the rest of the gear through the dive shops and this will not cost you a great amount. This is how most of the newly trained divers start of with.

Myth 3) Divers need to be Olympic level swimmers

Another myth is that unless your ability as a swimmer is up there with Michael Phelps then it is pointless you going diving. Of course being a great swimmer will add to your experience but if it were true that you had to be a brilliant swimmer then surely this would mean you could not go cycling if you weren’t up to riding in the Tour De France. Clearly this is a myth, but it must be said the more comfortable you are at swimming the more comfortable you will be in the water when you go diving.

Myth 4) Getting scuba lessons costs a fortune

When you want to go diving at any dive site across the world you need to be a certified as a scuba diver. You only get a certification when you took scuba lesson, and you will have to pass the exams. 
 You probably have heard of PADI, who is the biggest scuba certifying agency out there. When you start with your scuba lessons trough PADI you probably start with the Open Water Course. A myth exists here that a certification costs a massive amount. It costs somewhere between $300-$500, in most of the dive centers in Maldives to start your course. A Diving certification for life for $500 is relatively cheap.

Myth 5) A macho sport that doesn’t welcome women

Another silly myth is that scuba diving is a macho obsessed sport that is quite negative towards women. Maybe five or six decades ago this could have been said, but it is far from the truth now and female participation is greatly encouraged in the sport. It is still true that male participation in the sport is higher than women, but the ratio is now only 67/33 showing that there is not a big gap at all and scuba diving is very much so a sport for females. 

Scuba Diving, Corals

Conclusion

Hopefully this article has blown out of the water any misconceptions or myths held in readers minds about scuba diving that may have put them off trying out this popular sport. If you ever hear any of these 5 myths being mentioned, contest it, this is the only way the myth will disappear.

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Royal Island among participants in Guinness World Record snorkel

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Royal Island participated in the Baani Event, which achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people snorkelling simultaneously. Twenty-eight participants represented the resort at Villingilifaru Finolhu, located approximately two kilometres across the lagoon from Royal Island. The island lies within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, in close proximity to Hanifaru Bay, one of the Maldives’ most renowned manta aggregation sites.

The resort’s involvement aligns with its ongoing coral restoration initiatives on the house reef. Efforts include the installation of nursery frames, out-planting of resilient coral fragments, regular monitoring, and guest briefings aimed at encouraging reef-safe practices such as calm water entries, mindful finning, and maintaining respectful distances from marine life. These measures contribute to a low-impact snorkelling experience while supporting the long-term health of the reef ecosystem.

Royal Island’s environmental stewardship extends beyond marine conservation to community engagement. Recent activities include native tree and coastal vegetation planting to enhance shoreline stability and biodiversity, as well as periodic beach and lagoon clean-ups conducted in partnership with local organisations. Educational programmes for schools and youth groups promote ocean literacy and foster a culture of environmental guardianship across Baa Atoll.

Amidst the clear lagoons and coral gardens, Royal Island’s participation in the record-setting event underscores its message of responsible enjoyment of the Maldives — protecting coral ecosystems and strengthening community bonds through sustainable tourism and collaboration.

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JOALI BEING welcomes football legend Clarence Seedorf for transformative workshops

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JOALI BEING, a unique Well-Living island in the Maldives, welcomed Clarence Seedorf, founder of SK Performance Club and one of the greatest midfielders in football history, for a series of exclusive football workshops held on 15th and 17th October 2025.

The only player ever to win the UEFA Champions League with three different clubs — Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan (twice) — Seedorf has inspired generations with his skill, discipline, and leadership. After an illustrious 20-year career, he went on to manage leading European teams including AC Milan and Deportivo La Coruña. Beyond the pitch, Seedorf was among the six individuals personally chosen by Nelson Mandela to carry forward his global legacy and is the Founder of the Champions for Children Foundation, which supports youth through education and sport.

Inspiring Champions On and Off the Pitch

The football workshops at JOALI BEING’s Multipurpose Court brought together players of all ages in an atmosphere brimming with joy, energy, and connection. Guided by Clarence Seedorf, participants took part in dynamic drills, engaging matches, and motivating conversations that nurtured both skill and spirit. As Seedorf shared, “The SK Performance Club program aims to improve kids on and off the pitch — shaping mindset, teamwork, and self-belief.”

On 15th October, guests embraced the thrill of movement and the joy of teamwork during an uplifting Football Workshop for Guests. Families and young players united through friendly challenges, laughter, and inspiration, celebrating the shared joy of sport and the power of positive energy. Every moment encouraged participants to “become champions in life” — not only on the field, but in everyday living.

Empowering the Local Community

On 17th October, JOALI BEING welcomed 17 students from R. Ungoofaaru School for a Community Workshop dedicated to teamwork, discipline, and mutual respect. Under Seedorf’s mentorship, young players discovered new strengths and learned to move with purpose — embodying the spirit of connection that defines JOALI BEING.

This special event formed part of our ongoing Joy of Caring initiative — reaffirming JOALI BEING’s commitment to empowering youth, nurturing community, and sharing the joy of well-living across the Raa Atoll and beyond.

The Joy of Well-Living Through Sport

Through collaborations with global icons such as Seedorf, JOALI BEING continues to expand its multi-dimensional wellbeing offerings. By integrating movement, learning, and connection, the island’s philosophy — guided by the Four Pillars of Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy — comes to life in experiences that nurture both body and spirit.

A stay at JOALI BEING is a transformative journey of self-discovery and renewal, where guests return home with a renewed sense of lightness — body, mind, and spirit. Villas start from USD 2,326 per night for two guests sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a B&B basis.

For bookings and further information, please contact reservations.being@joali.com.

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands announces tennis workshops with Belinda Bencic

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is set to host an exclusive tennis exhibition this November, featuring WTA Tour Champion Belinda Bencic. The resort will offer guests an extraordinary weekend of tennis, including exhibition play and immersive workshops under the Maldivian sky.

This unique event is designed as a celebration of sport and community, allowing guests to engage with, learn from, and connect with the tennis star. The weekend will begin with a dynamic exhibition match between Belinda Bencic and the Resort Tennis Pro, which will be followed by complimentary participation for guests.

To provide guests with hands-on experience, the resort has scheduled dedicated workshops for different age groups:

  • Adult Tennis Workshop: Saturday, 8 November 2025, from 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM.
  • Children’s Tennis Workshop (under 14 years old): Sunday, 9 November 2025, from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.

For those seeking a more personalised session, exclusive private classes with Belinda Bencic will be available upon request.

Availability:

  • 10 to 15 November 2025.

Pricing:

  • A 60-minute session costs USD 360 per guest.
    A 60-minute session costs USD 390 per couple.

Guests interested in reservations or more information are encouraged to contact their Aris Meeha.

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