The
Maldives is renowned for its coral gardens
and multiple coloured tropical fish that
swim lazily in the crystal clear waters.
For a visitor, the ideal holiday cannot
be fulfilled without a glimpse of these
underwater marvels. The turtles, rays, sharks
and seaweed growth provides a breathtaking
view. It is no wonder, the Maldives is included
among the best diving spots of the world.
The average visibility is around thirty
meters sometimes even extending to sixty
meters.
The best marine habitat
(AsiaWeek
August 2000)
Maldivian
waters are a paradise for divers. The 'Cyber
Diver' has rated the Maldives as one of
the top 10 marine habitats in the world
(the only one with in Asia). Under the category
"best dive sites" the archipelago
is described by Cyber Diver (AsiaWeek August
18 2000, P 93) with the telling phrase,
"too many to list". Bellow are
some of the very popular dive sites in the
Maldives and are ranked among the best in
the world.
Rainbow
Tila
Location : South off Girifushi Island
Depth : 8m - 30m
Type of Dive : Driftdive
Kani Corner
Location : Outside corner of Kanifinolhu
Depth : 10m - 30m
Type of Dive : Driftdive
Maldive Victory
Location : In front of Hulule Airport
Depth : 16m - 30m
Type of Dive : Wreck dive, ascent &
descent on a rope
Vaadhoo
Caves
Location : North end of South Male Atoll
Depth : 3m - 30m
Type of Dive : Driftdive
Lions Head
Location : Vaadhoo Channel
Depth : 3m - 30m
Type of Dive : Driftdive
Aquarium
Location : outside corner of Lohifushi Island
Depth : 10m - 30m
Type of Dive : Driftdive
Banana Reef
Location : Male' Atoll
Depth : 3m - 30m
Type of Dive : Driftdive
Old
Shark Point
Location : Vaadhoo Channel
Depth : 3m - 30m
Type of Dive : Driftdive
Rasfari
Location : Outside of Rasfari Island
Depth : 10m - 30m
Type of Dive : Driftdive
The Diving School
Dive schools
are found in almost all resorts. Some liveaboards
are also equipped with dive bases. The schools
offer internationally recognised certificates
and are usaully affiliated with PADI, NAUI
or CMAS. The courses are conducted by qualified
instructors. Almost all schools offer PADI
Open Water Diver certificates while some
schools even provide courses up to professional
levels.
The dive equipment
Most diving
equipment can be hired from the dive schools.
Davie safety
It is always
rewarding to regard these beautiful waters
with some caution. Diving alone is never
recommended. It is best to dive in groups
and with a good instructor.
It is better
if you do not make decompression dives and
never go below thirty meters.
The currents
and tides can become quite nasty sometimes.
It is advisable to take the currents and
tides into consideration while diving. It
is also good to be not too far away from
the boat as this may be useful in case of
an emergency. |