The calm, turquoise blue waters of the Maldives offers scuba divers a fantastic diving experience; beneath the atolls lies a underwater paradise, filled with a myriad of colourful marine life and vast coral reefs that stretches across great distances. Aside from the usual reef dives, another amazing experience is scuba diving among the many spectacular shipwrecks that have met their final resting place along the shallow reefs.
There are several shipwrecks that litter that the ocean floor, fused with the reefs that sank them, the wrecks are now home to marine life and various plant species endemic to the Maldives. Island hotel and resorts, like the luxuriously, tranquil Adaaran Select Meedhupparu amongst others, organises special wreck diving explorations for the adventurous.
Some of the best reefs near the islands are actually shipwrecks that have been transformed over the years by marine life into impressive underwater habitats. The British Loyalty is a must see for divers in search of historical wrecks, according to records, the 134 metre long British cargo ship is the only wreck in the Maldives to be sunk during battle in World War 2, after being torpedoed by the Japanese at the end of the war. Submerged at a depth of 33 metres, on a clear day it’s possible to view parts of the ship from the surface.
Divers can explore the ship by entering through the hole left by the torpedo strike. The ship is covered, inside and out with coral, and several species of marine life live in the wreckage. Fish like wrasse, parrot fish, triggerfish, clownfish, angelfish and even sea turtles are just a few that can be seen in abundance. Wreck diving is a unique way to experience and view how nature adapts and takes over these long-lost relics, whilst the story behind these vessels are just as intriguing.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
