maldives | The Adventure Travel Site

Dive Sites in South Male Atoll

Offering an enchanting getaway where one can have plenty of laidback fun in the sun, the Maldives is a true picture of paradise. It offers an idyllic getaway where one can enjoy a carefree island lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the city. This tropical paradise is also renowned amongst divers for offering truly exhilarating diving excursions at the many underwater sites that can be found spread across the waters that surround the islands. The South Male Atoll is one area divers should look to explore since it features a variety of dive sites, each providing something new and fascinating to discover.

Those planning to head to the dive sites in South Male Atoll have much to choose from. One site worth exploring is the Vaadhoo Reef and Caves. This impressive reef which has a depth that goes up to about 30 metres, is perfect for drift diving. Those venturing into these waters will find several caves in the area along with a range of fish species including moray eels, squirrel fish, white-tip reef sharks and eagle rays.

Embudhoo Canyon is a dive site of some repute amongst divers and the canyon that can be found between the reef and the rock has a depth of about 20 metres. Located only 35 minutes from Male by dhoni, Embudhoo Canyon is where one can expect to see honeycomb moray eels, trevallies and midnight snappers.

Also worth visiting is the site known as Embudhoo Express which has been made a Protected Marine area as well. Suited for more experienced divers, Embudhoo Express is known for its strong currents, notable depths and sharks including whit-tip reef sharks and grey reef sharks.

Guraidhoo Kandu which is approximately 90 metres wide, the Vellasaru Caves where one can see sting rays, Cocoa Corner which is known for being an ideal place to channel dive and Kuda Giri where one will find a small wreck are amongst the other dive sites in South Male Atoll.

If you love diving, look to stay at a Maldives Resort or resort in the South Male Atoll. One of the leading Maldives Bunglows in this region, Naladhu Maldives features its own PADI Dive Centre and offers excursions to dive sites too, making it an ideal option for those planning to go diving when on holiday.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Snorkelling Sites in Maldives

If your ideal holiday involves exploring an underwater world full of colour, life and mystery, then snorkelling in Maldives is just the thing for you. One of the easiest ways to experience such adventures is to stay at resorts in Maldives which organise snorkelling excursions. Maafushivaru Maldives is just such an option which features snorkel safaris to a variety of reefs.

The Maldives has a range of snorkelling sites that provide intrepid snorkelers with hours of adventure and exploration and a chance to see everything from stingrays to sweetlips and sharks to surgeonfish. Vadinolhu Kandu is a great spot for snorkelling and features whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays and fusiliers. Those heading to the Rakeedhoo reefs can view hump head parrot fish and blue-fin jacks, while tuna, snappers and manta rays can be seen when snorkelling in Vattaru Atoll. For a unique experience try night snorkelling at sites such as Fahala Reef where octopuses and whale sharks inhabit the waters.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Adventurous Diversions at Maldives

Whilst relaxing on the beach or wading in the pristine turquoise waters are what the Maldives is most famous for, you’d be missing out on a world of adventure if you didn’t explore the world beneath the waves during your time here. You’ll also encounter a splendid array of resorts in Maldives that will be more than happy to set up a series of fun excursions under water. One of the best Maldives island resorts that offer a thrilling itinerary is the Maafushivaru Maldives which even features a resident Marine Biologist who provides all guests with a complimentary information session at the onsite Water Sports School. Use your new-found knowledge to explore the reef located in-house, and familiarise yourself with the quaint coral offerings before heading out to wilder waters at sea. When you’re ready to come face-to-face with mantas and reef sharks, embark on fun excursions that’ll provide excellent fodder for your camera. The Bodu (large) and Kuda (small) reefs are decorated with brightly coloured soft coral and feature a charming array of reef fish dancing and flitting about in their natural habitat. Or get up close and personal with one of the earth’s oldest reptiles, the sea turtle, which populates the dive site at Boli Thila, a popular snorkelling site amongst marine life lovers. And of course, no excursion in the Maldives is truly complete without a night diving experience, with guided tours that reveal the enigmatic lives of nighttime denizens such as coral polyps, bioluminescent plankton (yup, they glow in the dark), and other intriguing specimens guaranteed to take your breath away. Which is perfectly fine, since you’ve already got your breathing apparatus on.

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.

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Explore Asia’s Windsurfing Haven in Tropical Paradise Maldives

Tipped to be Asia’s finest water sports hub the island archipelago of Maldives is a dream come true for divers, snorkelers and jet skiers the world over. But there is another water sporting activity that is fast gaining traction in the scenic lagoons of the country and that is windsurfing. With sunny skies all year round and persistent wind conditions prevalent for most of the year the calm watered island collective is literally tailor made for windsurfing excursions. Avid windsurfers and novices alike will be pleased to find that the weather and water conditions of the island collective are perfectly geared towards the sport which uses the power of the wind to glide and propel forward on ocean waters. Blessed with its fair share of sprawling lagoons the resort islands of the country are fully equipped to aid and assist travellers engaging in their water sport of choice.

Windsurfers heading to the Maldives should reserve accommodation in a resort island with a large lagoon as those with smaller lagoons typically do not offer windsurfing facilities although most do house water sports training centers and service providers for a variety of water based sporting activities. Resorts with large lagoons not only offer windsurfing gear and a large lagoon to test one’s skills on but expert guides and instructors to aid amateurs in navigating the waves and teach essential skills to beginners.

Windsurfing season in the Maldives officially falls in the Monsoon months in the country which falls between the period from May and October although beginners can engage in windsurfing practice sessions and learn the sport throughout the year. The windsurfing season however is reserved for those who are skilled in navigating larger waves and heavy wind conditions that are typical of the wet season. The clouds turn dark casting intriguing shadows on the ocean surface that is pummeled with strong winds for most of the day during the period making it a spectacular sight to behold let alone surf in. Some of the windsurfing highlights around the Maldives include the resort islands in Dhiggu, Medhufushi, Baros, Velassaru, Rihiveli, and Meedhupparu.

Travellers in search of luxurious Maldives bungalows should look no further than Anantara Veli Maldives for all their accommodation needs. Providing guests with a unique holiday experience this elegant Maldives resort pulls out all the stops when it comes to private vacations in paradise.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Kite Surfing

The popular sport of kite surfing is a happy combination of wakeboarding, surfing, paragliding, windsurfing, and some good ‘ol gymnastics to result in one completely awesome water sport enjoyed by first timers and sought after by professional kiters. This exciting water sport is a feature of many a Maldives island resort and your kiteboarding expectations will be surpassed at a Maldives luxury resort such as the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, which will be happy to set you up with equipment for a fun session out under the sun. Beginners in this fun sport can enjoy it all year round, whilst pros will enjoy it best during May to October which features ideal natural conditions for the most thrills. One of the most exciting experiences is gliding across the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon and witnessing the vibrant marine life teeming beneath the waves. You’ll be able to catch sight of multi-hued fish and even sting rays, if you’re lucky. For the best gliding over water, you’ll want to ensure that you surf on islands that feature lagoons and generally stay away from those fringed by corals.

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Fauna and Flora in Maldives

Tipped to be one of the most pristine archipelagos on the planet, the picturesque collection of islands that is the Maldives is no ordinary tourist attraction in Asia. Blessed with breathtaking landscapes and sunny weather conditions all year round, this honeymooner’s hub is also a diver’s Mecca and a beach lover’s dream come true. Naturalists and nature lovers also have much to discover within the captivating confines of these islets as the archipelago which is made up of more than 1000 islands, offers a diverse marine and land ecology complete with land animals and flora as well as marine fauna and plant life.

With its sandy beaches synonymous with swaying palms and fragrant frangipanis, the plant life in the Maldives boasts attributes that are found in most paradise islands around the world. Swaying coconut trees and palm trees are a permanent fixture while eucalyptus, mango trees, and Pandanus trees are also part of the landscape. More than 20 species of sedge and grass are found here along with forest laden with Terminalia cattappa and Hernandia nymphaeifolia vegetations. Banyan trees, breadfruit trees and the Hibiscus tiliaceus are some of the taller flora species found on the islands that are renowned for its tropical jungles and dense Scaevola serica and Pemphis acidula vegetations.

Wildlife in the Maldives on the other hand includes flying foxes, snakes, garden lizards, and giant fruit bats while the archipelago is also home to more than 100 bird species as well. Highlights include parakeets, seagulls, koel birds, water hens, noddys and herons although what lies beneath the Maldivian islands are decidedly more intriguing that what lies above ground.

A diving expedition is akin to exploring a mammoth aquarium as the crystal clear waters of the islands are home to more than 1,000 fish species. Highlights include whale sharks, manta rays and white-spotted sharks while unicorn fish, Moorish idols, and dolphins are also known to inhabit Maldivian sea beds. Stingrays, flutemouths, rock cods and butterfly fish are also frequently spotted by divers in addition to trumpet fish, angelfish, blue-stripe snappers, parrotfish, turtles and oriental sweetlips. Home to more than 200 varieties of coral, the underwater vegetation in the Maldives is dominated by blue, white and pink corals as well as mushroom corals, stylophoras, giant gorgons and fire corals.

Visitors on the lookout for idyllic Maldives island resorts should look no further than Naladhu Maldives for all their accommodation needs. Offering guests a resplendent rest amid breathtaking surroundings this Maldives hotel is suitable for both holidaymakers and corporate clients.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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An Exhilarating Experience

The tropical climate in Maldives makes it the perfect destination for sea swimming, diving and soaking up the sun. Not many are aware that apart from these activities Maldives is one the best locations to see whales. It has been recognised as one of the top five places for viewing such marvels of nature. There are several species of whales that roam around in the ocean surrounding the Maldivian islands. Short fin pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, Cuvier beaked whales, False killer whales, Melon-headed whales, Blue whales and even species such as the Sperm whale and Killer whale can be found in Maldivian waters. From what has been recorded there are around 23 species of these creatures and dolphins surrounding the islands. It is difficult to see some of the larger species such as the blue whale because it shies away from humans.

Maldives has a group of these species that are hard to find in any other region. The Dwarf sperm whale, Tropical bottlenose whale and the Melon-headed whale have been spotted in the ocean surrounding Maldives. The best way to see these creatures is to pay for a cruise or a safari boat. The boats get quite close to these animals and you could see them dive and then rise above the sea level. It is fascinating to watch them as most of the animals travel in enormous schools and you can watch them swim right in front of you. The most commonly seen species during a trip is the pilot whale. If you are not familiar with the different species don’t worry yourself too much about it. There are expert guides on board in each of the trips and they are sure to inform you about the varieties that you see.
The trips are guaranteed to entertain you with some amazing views of these gentle giants, but you may not see much of the bigger species as they are harder to find and most often swim in deep waters. If whale watching is part of the Maldives itinerary then one should stay in a Maldives resort. The types of hotels that one should look into are Maldives bungalows that have some great offers on these tours. For luxurious accommodation, amenities and value-for-money deals book a room at Anantara Veli Maldives.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Fish Head Dive Site in Maldives: One of the Ten Best Dive Sites in the World

The wonders that lie beneath the calm blue surface of the ocean are both marvellous and mysterious and have piqued the innate curiousity of mankind in a quest for discovery. Whether it is swimming through an underwater wreck, marvelling at the vibrancy of the world that lies beneath or whether it is a shallow dive to exclaim in absolute wonder at the vitality and picturesque beauty of the coral reefs, the great blue sea has never ceased to amaze even the most experienced diver. Therefore, it is no surprise that scuba diving and deep diving are some of the most sought after activities by holiday makers. While Rocktail Bay in South Africa, Sulawesi in Indonesia and Cocos and Malpelo in the Eastern Pacific rank among the best diving sites in the world, the small cluster of islands nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean is determined not to be undermined in terms of its underwater brilliance. True to form, the Fish Head dive site in Maldives has proven to be one of the best dive sites in Asia that capture the essence of the marine world.

Known by the locals as Mushi Mas Mingili Thila, the Fish Head diving site is located in a protected marine area in the North Ari Atoll. The site is complete with overhanging caves, a square reef and a number of ledges. The main reason for being ranked among the best dive sites in the world is because the habits of Grey Reef Sharks can be observed at close quarters in this marine area, an advantage that is unavailable at other dive sites. Other sightings of underwater life include Napoleon Wrasse, Jacks, Tuna and White Tip Reef Sharks and the site is conducive to amateur divers as well provided the tide isn’t too strong. Therefore, ensure that you inquire from your Maldives hotel with regard to when the tide is low prior to making arrangements to visit the site.

While those staying at Maldives island resorts in the North Atoll will find it easier to access the site, tourists residing in the South Atoll at hotels such as Naladhu Maldives, need not be disheartened. Maldivian hospitality will ensure that your excursion to the Fish Head Diving Site is well co-ordinated and organised in order to ensure optimum convenience to the guests.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.

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Island Hopping Maldives

Maldives is a country with more than thousand coral islands. When holidaying in Maldives, island hopping is one of the exciting activities that you can embark on as it lets you make the most of your journey. It is always great to have a comfortable Maldives island resort to get back to after a tiring day out in Maldives. Kuramathi Island is one of the best options available as it is known for its elegantly designed Maldives villas. If you are planning on an island hopping tour, do not forget that it is one of the best ways to explore the beauty of Maldives during a holiday. Every island of Maldives boasts of a unique atmosphere and you can explore its breathtaking landscapes, lush vegetation and pristine beaches as well as you can visit many resorts scattered across the Indian Ocean by taking up on an island hopping tour. During an island hopping tour, you can also engage in many outdoor sports such as scuba diving, snorkelling and jungle trekking to make it an action-packed day out.

Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry. Google+

Diving For Kids in Maldives

While snorkelling offers a great way to explore the marine life filled waters that surround the Maldives, diving provides more in depth exploration that gives one a truly unique perspective. This fun activity is not only limited to adults however, as diving courses for kids lets young adventurers get a taste of this thrilling water sport. Families in search of a Maldives resort that offers such courses can consider staying at Velassaru Maldives. This luxurious Maldives island hotel also features a wide range of other water sports ensuring that you can spend fun filled days in the sun and the surf.

Diving for kids in Maldives is a wonderfully opportunity for children to explore relatively shallow waters and observe the fascinating coral and fish life here. It is easy to find centres that provide PADI Junior Open Water Courses which are usually for children around 10 years of age and over. Generally such courses provide certification for dives of about 12 metres and is a great way to introduce kids to diving. With the crystal clear Indian Ocean waters providing great visibility, families can enjoy an enthralling journey of discovery as they go diving together.