Maldives has always been one of the world’s favourite getaways. Boasting stunning turquoise waters, fine white sands and sweet scented palm trees, the country is a tourist haven. Unsurprisingly most vacation activities in Maldives centre around the beach. One can try out a number of exciting adventure water sports such as kite surfing, paragliding, jet skiing, wind surfing and scuba diving. The latter is a ‘must do’ activity when vacationing on the islands. Maldives’ extensive coral reefs make it a home to a number of amazing and colourful marine life, and one need not be a nature lover to appreciate it.
From the outside the Maldivian waters seem calm and peaceful but those who dive beneath the waves will discover a world bustling with activity. The coral reefs form the perfect home for many aquatic fauna. In addition to a variety of coral, divers will also come across a variety of vibrant fish including clownfish and parrotfish, sea turtles and even sharks. As a thriving ecosystem, the Maldivian reefs host a number of predators including barracuda and several varieties of shark. The most popular shark would be the gigantic whale shark, the largest fish in the sea. The whale shark however is a gentle giant, known to be quite friendly to divers. Lucky divers may also get the chance to witness manta rays at ‘feeding stations’. With adults having an average wingspan of about twenty feet, the fierce looking creature is actually quite harmless.
There are a number of terrific diving spots to explore, with different fish found in different areas. The Ari Atoll is the best place to witness whale sharks, manta rays, hammerhead sharks and barracuda. The Vaavu Atoll, widely considered as one of the best Maldivian diving spots, is also a great place for shark sightings. Featuring fast moving currents, the Vaavu Atoll has a number of excellent underwater caverns to explore. A good guide can help decide which spots to visit.
Those who want to go scuba diving will find enough and more operators. One can rely on one’s Maldives resort to help pick a good one. Those who would like to try out a variety of water sports should consider staying at Maldives Island resorts like the Adaaran Hudhuranfushi, which has the infrastructure for a variety of water sports.