Renowned the world over as a true beach holiday Mecca the island archipelago of the Maldives is a destination with elaborate and enticing connotations. Frequented by honeymooners and beach lovers alike this one of a kind island collective in the Indian Ocean is fast gaining a reputation as a diver’s paradise due to its inherent natural heritage. Teeming with clear ocean waters and innumerable lagoons the Maldives is an idyllic haven made for underwater exploration with breathtaking coral reefs bordering every atoll. Home to a diverse and eclectic mix of marine creatures, deep sea flora and fauna, Maldives is the ideal venue for novice divers and seasoned explorers alike to uncover what lies beneath the surface.
North Male Atoll is the self- proclaimed king of all Maldivian diving sites as it is frequented by expert divers for its stunning natural beauty and inimitable allure. Literally infested with steep drop-offs, enchanting caves and large coral reefs the venue is also a hot-pick site to witness sharks and mantas going about their day. With its ocean floor containing several ancient shipwrecks with artificial reefs formed around them this captivating diving site also offers soft corals at the Girifushi Thila and moray eels, octopuses and white tip reef sharks for those who venture down to Manta Point. Other must-see highlights along the North Atoll include the Okobe Thila, Banana Reef,Miyaru Faru, Victory, Hans and Lion’s Head.
The second must-see dive site in Maldives is of course the Ari Atoll which is known for its expansive network of channels and thilas. Inhabited by manta rays, hammerhead sharks and whale sharks Ari’s best sites include whale shark haven Gangehi Maavaru and plankton headquarters Maamigili. Guitar sharks, nudibranchs, turtles and frogfish on the other hand are visible down Maaya Thila although grey reef sharks, batfish, and schools of fusiliers are found at Fish Head. Home to a number of shipwrecks such as the Fesdu Wreck, Halaveli Wreck and Hammerhead Point other points of interest along the Ari Atolls include Broken Rock, Ukulhas Thila and Kudarah Thila.
The best liveaboard diving venues in the Maldives are concentrated along the South Male Atoll which is home to Cocoa Thila where grey reef sharks, eagle rays and fusiliers roam free while Guraidhoo Kandu South is also ideal for spotting moray eels, squirrelfish and lionfish. The Vadhoo Caves, Kuda Giri Wreck and Medhu Faru are other hot-pick sites at the locale in addition to Embudhoo Kandu.
Travellers in search of a luxury Maldives island resort will be more than pleased with the Anantara Veli, Maldives. Offering guests contemporary amenities in the heart of paradise this stylish rest is one of most resplendent Maldives boutique resorts in the archipelago.
