For the adventurous traveller, thinking of unique and unforgettable things to do, Maldives is famed as a top snorkelling destinations in the Indian Ocean, and is a definite must try. The crystal blue waters surrounding the atolls are rich with marine life, and home to massive coral reefs, just waiting to be explored. If you’re a novice snorkeller, the best way to start snorkelling is to stay at a resort which has its own ‘house reef’, like the luxurious Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, for example.
“House reef” are reefs which make up the edge of a coral island; home to several species of colourful fish, each reef is protected by its respective resort and generally not far from shore. The size of the reefs can vary, but the bigger and more natural the reef, the more diverse marine life you’ll be able to see. One of the best things about snorkeling is, unlike diving, you can enjoy the beauty that lies beneath the blue waters, without the hassle of much gear or require much training.
If you want to see the larger reefs and sea creatures, snorkelling excursions can be arranged to take travellers to the top snorkelling areas, which in the Maldives, is quite a few places. Around 70 species of coral, in various hues, form the reefs surrounding the Maldives archipelagos, and are home to over 700 species of tropical fish, both large and small, and other marine life that live near the reefs.
Rare marine species like the beautifully patterned and giant Napoleon Wrasse are common sights near the lagoons, while further off, expect to see sharks, turtles, eels and even octopus among the reefs. Manta rays, sting rays and eagle rays are plentiful in these waters and can be seen gliding through the ocean in large numbers. So, whatever the location, whether among the clear waters of the house reef, or further out among the massive sea reefs, the natural beauty of this underwater paradise will leave you with more than a few unforgettable moments.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+