The islands of Maldives are a treasure-trove of natural wonders. Un-spoilt in a big way, the nation still retains its authentic charm. The waters are still sparkling blue, the sands are still crystal white, the temperatures are warm and inviting and there is a blissful silence in the air. There is a richness in the surroundings that comprises of roaring waves and a look inside this endless blue expanse will offer you a string of surprises; surprises that will sweep you off to another world all together. Among its many wonders, its reefs are quite stunning and beautiful to examine.
The reefs of Maldives has for years been its most popular underwater wonder. Boasting an array of islands and atolls, the reefs you find in Maldives are endless and each are adorned with its very own picturesque set of corals. There are several types of corals that thrive in the Maldivian seas. The hard corals are the ones that grow in large colonies and leave behind a type of limestone skelton where more corals can grow on. Hard coral can be seen in a variety of shapes including the flat sheet, brain coral and the branching staghorn. Then there is the soft coral; soft corals are found existing solitarily on the ocean floor. Fan and whip corals are some of the varieties found and unlike hard coral they do not leave behind limestone skeletons which enables the growth of more of its kind.
These species are one of the most attractive parts of the underwater world and ornament the sea with its many beautiful colours. The living part of the coral is actually a very tiny polyp that exists retracted and only reaches out at night for its prey. In addition to the beautiful corals that adorn the Maldivian seas, the reefs provide homes for a number of different interesting fish species of different colours and sizes.
For those of you who crave to explore this underwater paradise, the Maldives resorts are an excellent place to start with. The Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has everything you would need including exquisite in house facilities making it the finest of the Maldives spa resorts.