Conserving the Marine Treasures of the Maldives – Preserving an Underwater Paradise

While travellers enjoy seeing the array of coral and fish species in Maldives, many are unaware that this marine ecosystem faces threats too. Here’s what you should know.

Climate Change

While the Maldives has strict laws to protect coral and fish species, one thing it has no control over is climate change, especially rises in water temperature which harm reefs the world over; this has a direct impact on marine life that depends on the reefs and in turn, the survival of larger creatures up the food chain.

Photo by form PxHere

Coral Conservation

Coral conservation is vital and resorts such as Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas have initiated coral adoption programmes that travellers can get involved in; apart from enjoying a stay at a Maldives pool villa, guests can help the resort team to transplant broken coral in a reef nursery and get updates on its progress.

Responsible Tourism

Travellers should choose resorts that are vested in conservation including responsible snorkelling and diving in Maldives. Such properties will have a resident marine biologist who will help you get a greater understanding of marine life too; be it swimming with manta rays in Hanifaru Bay or spotting turtles and dolphins, there’s much to enjoy.

Shaping Young Minds

The next generation will also play an important role in marine conservation in Maldives; to this end, some resorts have marine biology courses for kids with a resident marine biologist. It can include fun Indian Ocean adventures where they can see dolphins, swim with turtles, learn about conservation efforts and even get training on diving.

Captivating Things to Do in Maldives

If you want a holiday to enjoy relaxation and exhilaration in equal measure, then the Maldives will be perfect! These are some things to do here that will be truly memorable.

Water Sports

Snorkelling can be tried by the whole family and those at resorts in places like the South Male Atoll can also enjoy this activity amidst whale sharks, nurse sharks or manta rays! Diving is popular as is surfing, while properties like Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort also offer wakeboarding, jet-skiing, kayaking, flyboarding and parasailing.

Image Credit: Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

Island Getaways

During your stay in the Maldives, beach villa accommodation is ideal for spending time by the shore; however, for something special, some resorts offer access to private islands for just you and that special someone. You can enjoy snorkelling, sunbathing, savouring BBQ lunches and sipping sundowners amidst sublime serenity.

Dolphin Spotting

In the Indian Ocean waters that surround the islands, you will also find dolphins swimming wild and free. You can embark on journeys out to sea on a luxury yacht and encounter these adorable marine mammals including spinner dolphins that can be seen playing and sometimes acrobatically leaping out of the water!

Sunset Cruises

As the day draws to a close, the sun descends to the horizon and offers a most magnificent sight. One of the best things to do in Maldives is to set off on a sunset cruise during this time to catch this magical spectacle unfold. It’s a perfect activity to enjoy with your life partner while sharing canapés and a champagne toast.

Cruise Around the Maldives

There are many ways you can enjoy a cruise around the Maldives – be it from boarding a traditional boat called dhoni to sailing around in a luxury yacht – and you can do so during a holiday spent at a resort on one of the private islands Maldives has to offer such as Naladhu Private Island Maldives.

The Best Times

Between November and April, you’ll find the driest months of the year when there’s plenty of sunshine and clear blue skies; this spectacular weather brings the ideal conditions to go on a Maldives cruise.

Image Credit: Naladhu Private Island Maldives

Why Go on a Cruise?

This is the best way to see the many islands that make up the Maldivian Archipelago while accessing numerous diving sites and accessing some of the most-coveted beaches all in one package.

Boat Options

You may be offered several boat options for your cruise around the Maldives. It is possible to embark on this journey on a dhoni, a sailboat, a yacht, or a ship.

Types of Cruises

From catamaran cruises and multi-day cruises to shore excursions and whale watching tours, there’s a range of cruises out of which you can opt for one depending on your preference.

Discover the Baa Atoll’s Marine Treasures

A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the Baa Atoll in Maldives gives you a chance to encounter some truly spectacular coral and marine life. Here’s a peek into what to expect.

 

Mantas & Whale Sharks
One of the best things you can do here is to go snorkelling in Hanifaru Bay and swim amongst huge manta rays and even whale sharks! The perfect complement to a stay at luxury villas in Maldives resorts, this activity is seasonal and best experienced from June to October when the plankton concentration is more.

The Blue Hole
Amongst the Baa Atoll’s most enthralling sites is the Blue Hole; part of the house reef at Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences, this unique attraction features a mysterious-looking hole formed by an underwater chimney of sorts lined with corals; an ideal spot for diving or snorkelling, you can see diverse marine life from triggerfish to hawksbill turtles.

More Adventures
Resorts in Maldives that offer snorkelling safaris to explore the Baa Atoll provide plenty of marine encounters including tropical reef fish, Napoleon wrasse, reef sharks, moray eels, green turtles and more. Diving is also popular since there are over 40 sites to explore, while you can go on dolphin spotting cruises too.

Night Expeditions
Depending on the resort, you may also have the chance to go on night snorkelling or diving excursions; it’s not every day you can include that in your list of nightlife activities! Apart from seeing nocturnal marine life, by way of special filters and blue light you can also witness bioluminescent lifeforms and plankton too.

 

 

Dream getaway to Baa Atoll, Maldives

The Maldives is of course the dream destination of every traveller. Out of the 26 atolls in the Maldives, Baa Atoll is special for a holiday, especially because of its huge, shallow lagoons.

Reaching your destination

Once you come to the Maldives by any international flight, you then need to go to your chosen hotel in the Baa Atoll. The best option is to travel by seaplane. You may also opt for a speedboat, but that can be very time-consuming.

The best times to go

Arrange your Maldivian tour between November and April, because this is considered the right season. It’s the dry season, and you are sure not to get hindered by any heavy rainfalls. You may enjoy the hot and sunny weather throughout your journey.

Image Credit: Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences

Staying in Baa Atoll

There are more than 15 resorts located in the Baa Atoll including the very popular ones such as Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences. Make your reservations in advance, and grab the most beneficial Maldives resorts packages out of all.

Things to do

In addition to enjoying the pool, bar, spa, and restaurants at the resort, you may engage in several other fun activities here. Water sports, dolphin watching sessions, and taking a cookery lesson are just some of them.

Cruise around the Maldives

The Maldivian archipelago is made up of over 1100 islands and just a few of them are inhabited. There is much to explore here. So, if you are a first-timer you might be wondering from where to start. But you could get the most of your trip if you went on a Maldives cruise.

Why cruise in the Maldives

Staying at one of the private islands in Maldives is all well and good. But the thing is you’ll never get to see the rest of the paradise. On a cruise on the other hand this is possible.

Image Credit: Naladhu Private Island Maldives

Themed cruises

All the cruises in the Maldives are themed. If you are looking for diving, snorkelling or island hopping, it is no matter, the Maldives has your cruise ready and waiting to be picked.

Best time to go

The weather is great all year round in the Maldives. But the best time to visit if you are planning on a cruise is between November and April when the weather is dry most of the time.

Boats

So, when it comes to a cruise in the Maldives, you even get to select what type of boat you will be travelling on. The destination offers cruised on dhonis, yachts and luxurious ships. You can either make a stop at hotels like Naladhu Private Island Maldives or even camp out at the beach for the night if you aren’t travelling in a luxury boat.

Exciting Things to do in the Maldives

Have you ever daydreamed about what you’d do when you’re surrounded by exquisite stretches of white sand beaches and turquoise waters?! When you make reservations at one of the many Maldives resorts, you will experience the excitement and exhilaration that adventure seekers do.

Parasailing

If you’re looking for a thrilling experience in the Maldives, then Parasailing is a must-experience activity. You’ll feel exhilarated when you feel the ocean breeze on your face while drinking in the views of the azure waters of the Arabian Sea.

Fun Tubing

One of the most exciting things to do in these paradisiacal islands, fun tubing is an excellent activity if you love feeling that insane adrenaline rush through your veins. During your stay at the Maldives at properties such as Baros Maldives, you can try out this fun activity with your loved ones.

Scuba Diving

A different experience from the ones above the water surface, scuba diving provides an ethereal experience for those who brave the deep waters. Swimming alongside manta rays and whale sharks will enhance the sense of adventure.

Water Skiing

One of the most enjoyable water sports is water skiing although you must avoid the months from June through September as the rainy season brings harsh weather conditions. However, one should definitely experience this exciting sport where they get pulled around the ocean behind a boat.

Scuba diving in the Maldives

When compared to freediving, scuba diving is much more practical if your goal is to take in the underwater world at a slower pace. It is a highly-sought activity, especially among first-time divers or amateurs in the field.

Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving| Img via needpix

Diving Lessons

For some of us, scuba diving can be an unnerving task. But with professional training, you will be able to swim like a pro alongside the colourful inhabitants of the sea. Check with the Maldivian resort you are staying at, such as Saii Lagoon Maldives and they are sure to recommend a place that provides diving lessons.

The Equipment

If you can see yourself becoming a regular diving enthusiast, having your own equipment would be a lot easy on your wallet. A regulator, a BCD, and a wet suit are what you need when diving. If you don’t want to carry these around, you can always rent the equipment. Just be sure to check some of the best and the exclusive Maldives offers before opting for a particular resort.

Diving Sites

Reefs, Kandus, Thilas, and Giris, are some of the fascinating diving sites around the Maldivian atolls. You could even explore a wreck and discover something from the past. All these sites will offer you mindblowing experiences of a world that transcends time.

The Experience

It isn’t that surprising that diving is one of the best attractions of Maldives. From being transfixed by vibrant reef fish to getting up close to a gorgeous manta ray, it offers an exhilarating feeling that would last for a lifetime.

 

 

Top Things to Do in Maldives

Island escapes, a world of wonder above and below the water, sublime relaxation; there’s never a dull moment in the Maldives with plenty to see, do and experience.

Water Sports

The ocean which surrounds the Maldives offers water sports enthusiasts lots to look forward to. Those staying at resorts the likes of Hard Rock Hotel Maldives can enjoy snorkelling, diving, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, parasailing, kitesurfing, kayaking, banana boat rides and SEABOB experiences to name but a few!

Image Credit: Hard Rock Hotel Maldives

 

Enjoy Entertainment

Of course, when on holiday, enjoying some entertainment is as good a “thing to do” as any! In the Maldives, celebrations can be experienced at various resorts or inhabited islands. For something different, travellers can look to visit venues such as The Marina @ CROSSROADS which features band performances, special events and live music.

Indulge in Spa Rituals

Resort spas provide holistic healing that will certainly help you unwind and feel revitalised. From traditional Asian therapies with herbs and oils to innovative western treatments featuring sound vibrations, an enriching wellness journey awaits!

Photo by Nicole De Khors from Burst

Embark on Ocean Voyages

There is much to discover on voyages out to sea be it on a luxury yacht, modern boat or traditional vessel known as a dhoni. Sunset cruises are popular for couples, while dolphin watching excursions and visits to inhabited as well as uninhabited islands provide many adventures too.

 

Friendly Advice for Parasailing Thrill Seekers

Parasailing has become a popular pastime on many coastal resorts around the world. Although this is definitely one of the safer extreme sports, there are still a few things you should know before you sign up.

Image Credit: Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

Get to know the ropes

Most parasailing accidents are caused by the ropes breaking. This could be because of strain, overexposure to the elements, knots and numerous other factors. Even if your instructor has years of experience, always check the ropes yourself. If the ropes look frayed or dirty, insist on changing them.

Keep an eye on the weather

Parasailing during strong winds is a big no! Some countries have strict rules about parasailing, and even large resorts like Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, for example, a luxury resort in Maldives, have guidelines. However, others are based solely on the decision of the instructor. The rule to follow is if it’s too windy for an umbrella, then stay on the ground.

A seated position is safer than standing

There are two positions for parasailing: sitting in a gondola or hanging upright in a harness. The first is the safest choice, the latter might sound more fun, but the possibility of an accident is much greater.

Don’t stick too close to shore

The accepted rule for parasailing is the 3-to-1 distance from the beach. Basically, if the instructor gives you 500ft of rope then he should keep a minimum of 1500ft distance from the shore. If he boasts about going closer, pass on the ride.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+