subject: Diving to see manta rays and sharks in the Maldives [print this page] Diving to see manta rays and sharks in the Maldives
Diving to see manta rays and sharks in the Maldives
The Maldives is an ideal destination for those who wish to see some of the larger marine animals at close range. Its warm, calm and clear waters are packed with incredible diving locations due to the 26 ring-shaped reefs or atolls, which are comprised of some 1,200 coral islands. Some of the best divesites in the world for seeing sharks and manta raysare located in the Maldives.
Rays and sharks both belong to the cartilagenous order of fish, known as chondrichthyes, which means their skeletons are entirely made of cartilage rather than bone. Many species of shark,as well as manta rays,are considered pelagics, meaning they inhabit the pelagic zone, oropen sea. Large pelagics in the Maldives include manta rays and whale sharks, which are both filter feeders, consuming a diet of zooplankton. Bothspecies of gentle marine giants are non-aggressive and quite trustful towards divers.
The warmest months in the Maldives are April, May and June. These months afford the best opportunities to see manta rays and whale sharks because of the plankton bloom. Filter feeding frenzies created by blooming plankton, gathered together by tide and ocean current, provide amazing opportunities to witness large numbers of mantas gliding and swooping through the water. These graceful ghostlike creatures appear to fly rather than swim and sometimes spiral and dance around one another as they feed.
Manta rays
Mantas are the largest of the ray species, measuring up to nearly 7 meters wide (over 20 feet) and can weigh up to 1,400 kilos (3,000 pounds). Entertaining and acrobatic swimmers, it is not uncommon to see mantas performing loops and even leaping out of the surface of the water. They often exhibit curious or friendly behavior towards divers, but it is best passively observemanta raysand not touch them as they can be scared off and even damaged by physical human contact.
Mantas are best observed while feeding on plankton and at "cleaning stations", which are areas of reef where the rays stop to be tended to by cleaner wrasse, small colorful fish that remove parasites and dead tissue from the skin and gills of manta rays. A cleaning station can attract up to 150 manta rays at once.
Where to see manta rays:
The Maldives is home to around 10,000 manta rays. Mantas often congregate around coral reefs where cleaning stations are located and follow plankton around the different atolls of Maldives throughout the year, depending on the weather and currents. Manta Point (Rangali Madivaru)in Baa Atoll is one of the most famous sites for seeing mantasas is Lankan Manta Point in Ari Atoll.
Sharks of the Maldives
There are over 26 species of sharks in the Maldives, resting atop the food chain of this incredibly diverse collection of underwater ecosystems. Some of the most common and popular species among divers are the massive whale shark;grey and white tip reef sharks, the hammerhead shark and leopard shark.
Since whale sharks and mantas are both filter feeders, they can often be seen together feasting on plankton. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world up to 12 meters or 40 feet long and can live up to 100 years of age. As its name suggests, the whale shark resembles and behaves more like a whale than a shark. The magical sight of these friendly, white-spotted behemoths as they glide through the water is an absolute thrill for any diving enthusiast.
Where to see sharks:
Though ocean life is plentiful throughout the Maldives, Ari Atoll is the part of the islands considered best and most dependable for seeing a variety ofsharks. Species like gray reef and white tip sharks, whale sharks and hammerheads are plentiful there. Maaya Thila, Maalhos Thila and Fish Head, all three in North Ari Atoll,arepinnacle dive sites particularlyrecommended for spotting grey and white tipped reef sharks. Kudarah Thila in South Ari Atoll is another famous site for the same shark species.
South Mal Atoll too contains greatspotsfor sharks and pelagic species.Guraidhoo Kandu is a perfect dive site for beginners and features reef sharks and numerous pelagic fish like the amazing spotted eagle ray. Also in South Mal Atoll is another spot suitable for divers of all levels, theKuda Giri wreck, located next to a pinnacle or reef tower. Here one might catch a glimpse of the fascinating guitar shark, which has a shape somewhere between a ray and a shark.
White tip reef sharks are generally more active at night when feeding on octopus and fish, but can also be observed resting on the ocean floor. Grey reef sharks are commonly seen in groups and are a popular site on reef dives in the Maldives.
In order to gain access to the best dive sites and the largest variety of shark species as well as manta rays,it is highly recommended to participate in a liveaboard diving trip.
Ecological/conservation issues:
The survival of manta rays and sharks especially whale sharks is threatened by over fishing, traditional Chinese medicine and other industries. Many dive sites in the Maldives have been designated official Protected Marine Areas, where activities such as fishing, coral mining and waste disposal are prohibited in order to preserve vulnerable marine speciesand help them to thrive.
