Maamigili · South Ari Atoll · Maldives
Welcome to Shamar Guesthouse & Dive
Right on the Indian Ocean. The whale sharks are ten minutes away by boat, the mantas half an hour.
About us and Maamigili
“Lunch is from 12:00 to 14:00, unless the whale shark holds us up.”
Shamar sits right on the Indian Ocean, between green gardens. New houses have gone up around us in recent years, but the island feel has stayed. The village, with supermarkets, small restaurants and a health centre, is a few minutes’ walk away.
We cook Maldivian – as spicy as you like – or European, if that is more your thing. And for a dive you only have to walk downstairs: the dive centre is under the house.
A day at Shamar
Meal times are fixed. Everything else depends on the sea.
Early boats get a small breakfast from 05:00; otherwise breakfast is from 07:00 to 09:30. Nobody here goes out on the boat hungry.
The tanks stand on the blue deck, the briefing is at the hand-drawn map, and everyone gets their ENOS beacon.
Between 12:00 and 14:00. Outside meal times you order from the menu, and that is charged separately.
Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks are free for guests. Or find yourself a lounger on the Bikini Beach in front of the house.
From 18:00 to 20:00, Maldivian or European. This is when the sun goes down.
Night fishing the traditional way, then a barbecue on the beach. Or the day’s photos on the big screen in the lounge.
PADI 5 Star Dive Center
Ten minutes to the whale sharks. Thirty to the mantas.
Our dive centre is called Shamar Divers. Every day we take our own dhoni out to the best sites in South Ari Atoll.
Below the surface
Everyone knows the whale shark and the manta. Most of your time underwater, though, belongs to the small ones: nudibranchs, shrimps, giant clams.
Briefing maps
Before every dive we talk you through the site at one of these hand-drawn maps: where you go in, how deep it gets and what is waiting down there.
Accommodation
Every room has air-conditioning and a fan, a bathroom with hot and cold water, free Wi-Fi and a safe.
from$172per night for two, full board, plus Green Tax
from$132per night for two, full board, plus Green Tax
from$152per night for two, full board, plus Green Tax
from$152per night for two, full board, plus Green Tax
Getting here
Maamigili has its own airport. You land in Malé, change to the domestic flight or the speedboat, and we pick you up on Maamigili.
Reviews
Three guests in their own words, from TripAdvisor. All 133 reviews, and more on Taucher.net, are behind the links below.
4.9 out of 5 · 133 reviews on TripAdvisor
This island and guesthouse is a perfect place for serious divers who don’t need overpriced 5* AI resorts. We cannot wait to return.
Rooms are basic but immaculately clean and comfortable and well air conditioned. They are serviced daily. Meals were included and were excellent.
The marine life is amazing. I saw whale sharks, jumping dolphins, mantas, turtles, sharks, nudibranches and much much more.
Rates 2026–2028
Rooms by season, the domestic flight, every dive package, course and rental price. Then just tell us when you would like to come.
