A Divers Dream Come True In Sunny Maldives

They say you havent been to Paris unless youve seen the view from the summit of the Eiffel tower

, and you certainly havent been to the Maldives if you have yet to discover its stunning ocean floor littered with fascinating dive sites. Ideal for beginners and avid divers, the plethora of diving opportunities available on the island archipelago caters to variety of tastes, interests and skill. Brimming with shallow lagoons for beginners and deep water pinnacles for the experienced diver the island paradise of Maldives is a treasure trove to explore what lies beneath the surface.

The highlight of any diving excursion in the Maldives is concentrated in the North Male Atoll which enjoys a reputation as the nations top diving venue. Teeming with caves, drop offs and expansive reefs this particular region is a great place for encounters with mantas and sharks. Home to several shipwrecks that form artificial reefs, the must-explore areas within North Male include the Girifushi Thila with its soft corals and Manta Point where white tip reef sharks, octopuses and moray eels are abundantly found. Other points of interest include Lion's Head, Miyaru Faru, Hans Haas Place, Maldives Victory and Okobe Thila while Banana Reef is equally captivating.

The Ari Atoll is considered the second best diving site in the archipelago as it houses extensive thilas, channels and is also home to the enormous whale sharks, hammerhead sharks and manta rays. Top spots in Ari include plankton infested Maamigili and the Gangehi Maavaru where one can snorkel alongside whale sharks although Maaya Thila is the place for viewing nudibranchs, guitar sharks, large frogfish and turtles. Fish Head is another preferred venue as it is swarming with grey reef sharks and hoards of fusiliers while batfish also travel in schools here. The Halaveli Wreck, Fesdu Wreck and Hammerhead Point are also located here in addition to the Ukulhas Thila, Kudarah Thila and Broken Rock.

Considered one of the finest live board diving regions in the country, the South Male Atoll also has a lot to offer diving enthusiasts. Venture down the deep water pinnacle of Cocoa Thila swarming with eagle rays, fusiliers and grey reef sharks or drop down on the reef plateaus of Guraidhoo Kandu South where lionfish, moray eels and squirrelfish are easily spotted. Other hotspots include the Kuda Giri Wreck, Vadhoo Caves and Embudhoo Kandu as well as Medhu Faru.

The Haa Dhaalu Atoll and Haa Alifu Atoll are the best sites in the Far North Atolls where sharks, black tip reef sharks and manta rays form the chief inhabitants. The Northern Atolls also provide fantastic dive sites including the Lhaviyani Atoll, Baa Atoll,Noonu Atoll and Raa Atoll.

Those in search of Maldives resorts surrounded by azure waters and sandy beaches should look no further than the elegant Kurumba Maldives. Built according to traditional Maldivian architecture, this stunning property complete with scenic views and decorative pools is the quintessential luxury Maldives island resort for all discerning travellers.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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