Regarded as the best destination for snorkelling in the Indian Ocean, the pristine reefs of the Maldives are part of an extensive underwater range, made up of vibrant corals set around the edges of ancient volcanoes. These beautiful reefs stretch across great distances, creating eye-catching formations that have made Maldives beach villas, like the ones found at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi, highly sought after by travellers.
All coral reefs are teeming with marine and plant life, many of whom live among the reefs. While they may look like one giant “plant”, the coral is made up of tiny “polyps”, minuscule invertebrates that are related to jellyfish that form a huge colony. Each one is a mere couple of millimeters in size, but collectively, they form sections that can act together as a single organism. It is estimated that there are up to 10 different varieties of coral, each with their own unique shape and vast array of colours.
The corals receive their nutrients in two ways, firstly they are dependent on algae, which photosynthesizes sunlight; the coral then extracts some of the energy garnered by the algae in return for providing shelter. The second way is through small fish who get caught in stinging cells. Hence why you may have heard of certain corals that sting, these are the stinging cells, feeding the coral. The coral generally grows close to the water’s surface, within reach of the sun’s rays which feed the algae.
The Maldives coral reefs play an important role in the diverse marine ecosystems, providing a “nursery” for the various species that co-exist on the reefs. They also act as barriers, protecting the low-lying atolls from storms and erosion. The warm ocean currents and sunny skies give life to these majestic coral reefs that have made the Maldives into what it is today; one of the world’s most unique marine destinations.
Caleb Falcon is a creative nomadic travel writer, who is well informed and experienced on a wide range of interests that would connect to the needs of any type of traveler. Google+
