Giovanni Sibilla – Dive Manager at NAKAI Alimathà Resort

Giovanni Sibilla is the dive manager at NAKAI Alimathà Resort, a paradisiac island located close to a selection of truly unique and world-renowned dive sites in Vaavu atoll. With several famous reefs and channels, this atoll offers a gateway to an entirely different dimension, magical and weightless, filled with flashy marine life and curious biodiversity just waiting to be explored.

With over 15 years of diving experience in the Maldives, Giovanni tells us his story and further about why he pursued a career in diving.

Could you please tell us a little about yourself? 

Yes, why not. My name is Giovanni and I come from Italy. I started scuba diving in 1992, and that was a long time ago. I love the Maldives and I remember my first time here and that was on 20th January 2000. I’ve been around the Maldives many times at different diving spots at different atolls. I have been at Alimatha since 2006. I love Alimatha, I love to work here and I love the diving spots here.

What got you interested in diving and pursuing a career in this field? 

First of all, I want to say when I started as an instructor, it was really interesting for me to conduct lessons and teach people how to dive. That is an idea I have always loved. If I were to say something a little different, it would be that I also love to make videos, recording and editing included. We are talking about underwater videos here.

Could you tell us about your experience/career so far at Alimatha? 

I remember my first time in 2006 at Alimatha, and there were 4 other dive instructors here and one of them was Maldivian. He is Shareef Abdulla and is also my best friend. I find Alimatha and the diving spots really nice as it is important for my job. Alimatha looks magical, every guest tells me that they are in heaven when they visit here. Everyone likes it here. I feel comfortable here, everyone feels like family, even the management. It is like a magic spot here. When I first started, I was an instructor and after one year, I was promoted to a leader. My career has been growing for the last 15 years. Before I was only the manager of diving at Alimatha but now at Dhiggiri and Mayafushi as well, as they are from the same company. I am really happy because of this.

What’s the best part about your job? 

Not an easy question but if I were to say one thing, it would simply be because I love to dive, and I love to teach and guide people about diving.

How do you like the Maldives so far? 

As I said earlier, I have been to the Maldives starting from 2000 and all I could say is wow. I come from Italy and there you just see videos and other documentaries. If you have never been here, you wouldn’t believe what the Maldives is about. My first time here, from the plane windows, I saw the sea and islands, and it was just wonderful. I felt amazing when I jumped into the Maldivian waters for the first time and I thought to myself, I don’t think I can move away from the Maldives after this. I also love the people here. I have a connection with Maldivian people, and I have good friends here. I also love the local islands, and the people are just wonderful.

Please tell us more about why diving in Vaavu is so special?

I’ve been in Rasdhoo Atoll, North Male Atoll, North Male Atoll and South Ari Atoll. I think the difference between Vaavu Atoll and the other atolls is that we have a lot of channels here at Vaavu. We have big pelagic fish and lots of sharks. We also have one of the best diving spots in the Maldives, where you can see 50 – 80 sharks every day, even during the nighttime. So many safari boats come here just for diving because of the number of diving channels.

For more information, please visit https://alimatha.nakairesorts.com/en/