03 Jul 2014, 06:51 am
Maldives have high visibility throughout the year, clear water and formations of over 3000 coral reefs and the free flowing tides of the monsoons. This has resulted in one of the world’s richest diving coral reef areas. The abundance of marine life makes Maldives perfect for diving enthusiasts and for those passionate about snorkeling.
Some of the interesting fish species found here are Dogtooth Tuna, Tuna, Trevally’s, Jacks, Sweetlips, Butterfly fish, Mating octopus, Wahoo and Fusiliers. What makes Maldives special for the Snorkelers is the presence of rare marine life species like the giant Napoleon Wrasse. In the late summer and during the fall, snorkelers can see mantas and whale sharks which make for an impressive sight.
Go on a drift dive with the guidance of experienced dive instructors in Maldives. A dive in a house reef is equally rewarding, all you need to do is swim a few minutes from shore. Due to the countless number of reefs found among the 26 atolls in the Maldives, all you need to do is travel 15 to 60 minutes by boat to get to a different dive spot every day.
Dives in the Maldives usually takes place along a faru (reef), a thila (a submerged aquarium like reef, on a channel where the atoll meets the ocean, or on a wreck. Night diving is particularly beautiful as is a macro dive that lets you see tiny, interesting and usually disregarded creatures very closely.
Maldives is also a mecca for surf-enthusiasts from all over the world, with the southwest monsoon bringing with it massive swells, especially from June to September. The sizes range from 3 – 8 feet. There are several well-known surf breaks in North and South Male’ Atoll. Resorts near these breaks are perfect for surfing aficionados, as you can get the full Maldivian experience while riding the waves to your hearts’ content. The lesser-known, but amazing surf breaks further away from Male’ atoll can be accessed by specialised surf cruises (often referred to as surfaries) offered by cruise operators in the country.
Maldives is also home to world’s first underwater music club – Subsix that is built with floor to ceiling thick glass walls on all three sides to allow an unparalleled view of the exotic marine life within the clear blue oceans, as the music fills the space with DJs spinning through the night. The club was constructed on land before it was carefully placed and submerged into the oceans with a restaurant sited above the surface serving delicacies from the Indian Ocean. Accessible only by boat, this club is part of Niyama Resorts under the Per AQUUM group and represents one of the enchanted experiences to visit within the Maldives, and is part of the group’s commitment to providing groundbreaking experiences
So whatever your water fantasy is, it will come alive in the Maldives!
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