maldives

The Adventure of Snorkelling

From vibrant corals to a range of fish species including ethereal-like manta rays, the Maldives offers one of the best snorkelling destinations on the planet. Here’s your chance to enter this whole new “world”.

Best times for snorkelling

Snorkelling in Maldives can be pretty much enjoyed all year round while at your Maldives resort; however January to April is a particularly great time for this activity since the waters are clearer and the weather at its best. Do keep in mind that the weather from May to September can be less predictable.

In search of Nemo & Co.

Be it clownfish (Nemo!), bannerfish, powder blue tangs, fusiliers parrotfish, butterflyfish or hawksbill turtles, the ocean surrounding the Maldives offers much to see. Resorts the likes of Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort have reefs nearby providing the ideal chance to get up close to this marine life.

Underwater superstars

Of course, there are certain marine creatures that add to the excitement of a snorkelling adventure; graceful manta rays, unhurried whale sharks and stealthy blacktip reef sharks swimming in their natural habitats are sights that are certainly unforgettable.

Image of resort — Image Credit: Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

Adding splashes of colour

Marine life aside, you can also look forward to seeing a stunningly vibrant array of corals on your snorkelling expeditions; staghorn, finger, brain and table corals are amongst the varieties that can be spotted here, each adding to the charm of this underwater spectacle.

Image Credit: Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Scuba Diving: An Adventure to Explore Ocean

Scuba diving is a diving technique that involves self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (thus the name ‘scuba’). This specialized diving gear provides the diver with the ability to spend more time underwater that surface divers which means that there is more time to explore the deep blue! And that’s the reason why divers simply love what they do!

How scuba diving came to be

In early times divers used the closed-circuit scuba that allowed the diver’s breath to be recycled and sent back to be inhaled, however, there was a risk of oxygen intoxication that came with increasing depth. It was all thanks to Henry Fleuss the diving engineer who perfected the rebreather equipment in 1878 that the discovery of many treasures under the sea has been made possible today.

Types of scuba equipment

There are 2 types of scuba apparatus that are available for divers to use. The open-circuit apparatus provides oxygen to the diver and allows the user to exhale the air into the water. This is an economical piece of equipment and easy to use. The rebreather apparatus is where the diver’s exhaled breath is recycled and sent back for inhalation. This equipment is quieter and resourceful.

Deep-sea animals to look out for

What makes a diver passionate about what they do is encountering various queer ocean creatures that only a diver would have the luxury of seeing! Species like whale sharks, manta rays and Caribbean reef sharks are some of the monstrous yet magnificent aquatic beings that you might get a glimpse of. Furthermore, the red spotted blenny, leafy sea dragon and pygmy seahorse are some of the tiny but fascinating creatures one could ever see.

Diving hotspots

If you’ve perhaps planned a holiday to the Maldives, five-star resorts such as the well-known Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort are ready to provide the gear you need as Maldives is a famous diving hotspot. All you have to do is take the plunge! Indonesia, Australia and Hawaii have some of the most fabulous diving spots in the world too!

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Adventurous Hanifaru Bay in Maldives

Hanifaru is an island in Maldives that is home turquoise blue waters and a bay with pristine white sand beaches. The reef teems with marine life and it is one of the few popular dive destinations where you get to see the magnificent Manta rays.

The Bay

Measuring not more than a football field, The Hanifaru Island is located in the Baa Atoll in the archipelago of Maldives. The island is home to a pristine white sand beach and a bay of turquoise blue waters that teems with marine life which makes it a popular dive and snorkelling destination.

The Manta Ray

MantaRay | Image Credit - Agsftw, CC BY-SA 3.0 Via Wikimedia Commons — MantaRay | Image Credit – Agsftw, CC BY-SA 3.0 Via Wikimedia Commons

The Hanifaru Bay is a breeding ground for the enigmatic Manta rays; a magnificent creature that gracefully swims across the oceans. Manta rays are a type of rays which belong to Manta genus and are known for its gigantic size measuring over 7 meters in width and weighing over a whopping 1350 kilograms.

What can you do in the bay?

Being a popular dive site in Maldives one of the exciting things you could do here is feeding the rays and other feeble sea creatures in the bay. This is one of the most sought over activities that tourists love doing. If you are lucky you can even see mantas do barrel rolls which is a spectacle to watch and will certainly be an experience worth your while

Best time to visit the bay

The right time to visit the bay is between May to November as this is the time period when there will be a concentrated plankton population in the bay which invites in these beautiful creatures for a feeding frenzy.

Places to Stay and diving Excursions

As the island of Hanifaru and the area surrounding the island is a protected reserve there aren’t any accommodation options in the island but you can find many resorts in the islands located close proximity to the Hanifaru islands the likes of Dhigali Maldives, you can book a diving excursion form almost any resort in Maldives but it is recommended that you plan your stay at a hotel near Hanifaru Bay in order to reduce the time and money spent on travel and for your convenience.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Windsurfing in Maldives

Maldives is one of the most popular tourist destinations for beach holidays and water sports. Windsurfing is one of the more popular water sports in Maldives which combines sailing together with surfing.

eNil from Portsmouth, UK, 462670058 79bd8c4442, CC BY 2.0 Via Wikipedia Commons

Maldives is the ultimate destination for water sports. The lovely strong winds, the turquoise waves and the year-round sunny weather present the perfect conditions for the sport.

Perfect place to windsurf

Maldives is an island nation that comprises of 26 atolls made of over a thousand coral islands. Choose to stay at a Maldives luxury resort the likes of COMO Maalifushi, The Maldives which offers this activity and a great option to consider since it has a windsurfing course for novices or those looking to get reacquainted with this thrilling recreational activity.

Figure out your equipment

The equipment needed for this activity is not complicated at all and once you have got the balance mastered and learn how to navigate, you can be skimming the surface in no time.

When to go

Beginners can go anytime. As the sun is always shining, suitable wind conditions can be found somewhere around the collection of atolls. If you are a skilled surfer and are looking for something suitable for your skill level, though, things get more selective. The best time for you to visit would be from May to October.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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Diving in Maldives -Beauty of the world under

Anyone who ever plans to visit Maldives will surely have diving in mind, it is one of the must try activities on the islands.

Discover Scuba Diving — Img by: Summitandbeach via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Diving in the Maldives is an extra ordinary experience as the clear blue waters let you see every colour and beautiful coral reef the seabed has to offer. Planning your vacation with travel agencies like Maldives Resorts Club lets you put together the perfect holiday activities for your tastes, be it a lazy day lounging by the beach or having thrilling adventures.

Best Dives

scuba diver — Img via : publicdomainpictures

Literally, every island in Maldives will have a diving spot around it, and of them, all the greatest dives are at the Fotteyo Kandu, Kuredu Express, Okobe Thila, Kandooma Thila, Broken Rock and Kudarah Thila. These sites have some of the most vibrant fishes and are home to both soft and hard corals respectively.

Going underwater

The water is not chilling and the temperature stays around 27 degrees throughout the year. Diving can be done during all the months except the monsoon periods and during the sunnier days, the visibility under water can up to an impressive 70 feet. Manta rays, tuna, eagle rays, a variety of sharks and more pelagic animals can be found in the open ocean near the reefs.

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+

Exploring the underwater beauties in a whale submarine

Maldives is a group of islands that are surrounded by crystal clear azure waters that are teeming with a rich variety of marine life. To explore the beautiful life below the seas, diving and snorkelling is always the more popular options as it allows you to discover the marine life at your own pace. However, for non swimmers and those who have an innate fear of swimming in the sea, this can be problematic. In Maldives, all inclusive hotel excursions feature a variety of water sports and activities, like diving and snorkelling, that will keep you entertained and busy during your entire holiday, such as those offered at Maafushivaru Maldives.

Travelling with little kids can also mean that they won’t be able to experience the beautiful life that lives under the glistening waters of the Maldives, but fear not! The German Whale Submarine, the first of its kind, was created to allow anyone and everyone a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the diverse population of sea creatures. This submarine that was invented by the Germans and can hold a total of 50 passengers is believed to be the largest deep diving submarine that’s used for tourist activity.

The submarine initially dives to a depth of 25m, then 40 meters and finally up to a depth of 150 metres. Each of the three stops promises you a completely different view of the sea, without ever getting wet!

Each tour will be accompanied with an expert guide in marine life who will be point out the various species you come across, such as lionfish, anemone fish, parrotfish, eels, manta rays, sting rays, sea turtles, butterfly fish, whale sharks, grey reef sharks, white tip sharks, eels and many more! So keep your eyes peeled for the exotic marine life. Some submarine tours even allow for night dives.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Wildlife in Maldives

Most countries have a certain kind of local wildlife that they are proud of, from the big game that roam Africa’s national parks to the majestic Bengal tigers in India; the Maldives archipelagos is no different, except here, you won’t need a 4×4 vehicle to admire the local wildlife as most of its located under the clear turquoise waters that the Maldives is famous for.

The waters surrounding the atolls have a worldwide reputation for spectacular diving that entices hordes of visitors to the country every year, and with good reason. There’s an enormous diversity of sea life, a vast formation of colourful coral reefs and over 2,000 species of tropical fish found in the waters surrounding the famed Resort Maldives islands.
The area is home to several indigenous varieties of mantra rays, sting rays and eagle rays, as well as many kinds of sea anemones and jellyfish. Most of the leading resorts located here, like the Kuramathi Island Resort Maldives include special diving and snorkelling excursions for guests to get up close the marine life and appreciate the beauty of these sea creatures.

It’s not uncommon to see schools of whales, dolphins and even the elusively timid whale shark, passing by or sea turtles like the green turtle, the hawksbill turtle and the leatherback turtle. Indigenous land mammals and reptiles are rare here and the most common birds in the Maldives are ocean birds.

Wherever you go, there’s always something or some creature that will captive your attention, whether it’s a school of fish in the shallows waters near the shore or whales in the deep blue seas further from the islands. Whatever it may be, one thing is for sure; the crystal clear water and beautiful coral, brightly illuminated by the tropical sunshine is truly an underwater paradise that is not to be missed.

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.
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Diving with Manta Rays in Maldives

The wealth of sea life in the Maldives makes it one of the top diving destinations in the world and one of its biggest underwater attractions is the manta rays. Getting the chance to swim with manta rays is one of the most memorable experiences you can have; they move so gracefully, almost like an aquatic ballet, gently soaring through the tranquil blue waters.

Growing up to 9 meters wide, these exotic looking sea creatures assemble in large numbers annually, between May and June in several locations around the Maldives, even swimming quite close to numerous Maldives Resorts and hotels. The manta rays gather here to feed on the abundance of plankton and can be seen at “cleaning stations” near reefs, where the small cleaner wrasse fish remove parasites and clean gill cavities.
Most of the luxury resorts here, like the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, offer special snorkelling and diving excursions to watch the manta rays in their natural habitat. It’s not unusual to sight large schools of over 100 manta rays feeding in the shallow surface waters. These extraordinary feeding masses are unique to the Maldives and are considered one of the world’s most remarkable natural underwater events.

Manta rays are naturally inquisitive creatures and are not bothered by human presence; they may even approach and swim around you, that is if you can control your enthusiasm and stay still for long enough to enjoy the spell binding sight. However, be warned, in areas heavily frequented by divers, they have become very wary and won’t come near you but you can still enjoy the sight of them swimming around. If you’re lucky enough to experience the truly magical feeling of being in the midst of these beautiful sea creatures as they glide through the water, consider your Maldivian retreat well spent.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Alimantha Island

Maldives is sure to be on most people’s travel bucket list. The island’s surrounding waters are one of the main reasons for most of the tourist to make their way down to this paradise island. One of the reasons for many people to visit the island is to stay at an Maldives luxury hotel as the accommodation itself can turn out to be quite an experience. Among the various resorts that have come up here one that has managed to earn a reputation for itself among its guests is, Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives that offers 33 over water suites.

Alimantha is one of the government-sanctioned lists of dive sites in the Eastern part of Maldives. The surrounding waters of the island are an excellent place to go diving and explore the abundant marine life of Maldives. There are dive centres that organise full day as well as half a day tours into the Ocean. There are also night dives that are organised off the shore of Alimantha, which is a once in a lifetime experience. The reefs around the island are also a spectacular site not to be missed. Alimantha is often listed in the must visit places in Maldives. There are also water activities offered by the sports centre located on the island. Perfect for all those adrenaline junkies.

There are plenty of other places to visit while in the Maldives such as Hukuru Miskiiy which is the Old Friday Mosque located in the capital Male. As well as the national museum that is located in the capital. Apart from that sitting and watching the waters sweep the shore from your recliner itself is a great experience!.

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

Start Your Adventure Journey in Maldives with Diving

The pleasant cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean, known as the Republic of Maldives is blessed with spectacular natural beauty and is endowed with a relaxing atmosphere that is more than conducive to taking some time off from one’s busy and hectic schedule. Thousands of tourists that flock to the Maldivian isles in their pursuit of pristine beaches and tropical sun are scarcely disappointed because residing in a Maldives resort hotel is sure to cater to your every need.

Maldives embodies the true spirit of having a ‘holiday in the sun’, and whether you seek adventure and excitement during your vacation, or a quiet and peaceful getaway, these isles will not disappoint. For the adventurous tourist, there are a multitude of water sports on offer, and diving is possibly one of the best ways to begin exploring the wonders of the marine world that resides beneath the calm waters of the Indian Ocean. While the North and South Atolls are both renowned for their exquisite diving sites, holidaymakers residing in a resort in the South Male Atoll such as the Anantara Veli Maldives Resort & Spa will have the opportunity to explore ‘kandus.’ The eastern reef of the Atoll alone is home to over six kandus, or channels, that are ideal for diving as they attract a myriad of marine life that come to feast on nutrients brought in by the channel.

For the lucky few, Cocoa Thila can offer one of the best diving experiences in the South Male Atoll for this particular site, on a day with a moderate current, is frequented by grey reef sharks, sweetlips, groupers, snappers and eagle rays. However, for those who wish to dive to see grey reef sharks, the Embudhoo Kandu channel is the best.

While diving in the South Male Atoll has its own attractions, divers who wish to explore the abundant coral life in Maldives should make their way to the North Male Atoll, which hosts some of the most pristine and beautiful coral reefs in the world. All in all, diving in Maldives, whether it is sharks or coral reefs that you seek, is an experience worth having.

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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