Scuba Vacation: Dive In Maldives

Dive In Maldives

Posted by Blogger Boys

The Maldives is situated off the Western Seaboard of Southern India stretching between the 7 degree meridian in the North to just below the Equator in the South. The Atolls are actually the tips of a submerged volcanic mountain range sculptured by the ocean currents and overlaid with centuries of rich coral growth. There are two main seasons, NE Current (Our Winter) and South West Current (Our Summer), dictated by the prevailing winds at the different times of year. Diving is good all year round, although June is liable to be more rainy due to the period of change from the NE monsoon to the SW. During the NE Monsoon the clearer water is to be found on the East side of the Atolls. Active currents bring in good predatory pelagic action, with a variety of sharks and eagle rays, particularly in the channels. At this time of year the nutrient rich waters on the West side create a perfect environment for the large plankton feeders such as Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. In the SW Monsoon the scenario is reversed, the Mantas and Whale sharks migrate to sites more on the Eastern side of the Atolls and predatory pelagic action is found in the channels on the West side.New divers to the area may come across local terminology that they are not familiar with, here are some descriptions of different dive site features.

1) Maldives Victory
The "Maldives Victory" is a 110-meter long cargo vessel that sank in February 1981. The dive takes you 12 meters down a rope to the ship's main deck, where you will be sheltered from the strong currents. Here you will be amazed by the colorful marine life that calls the Maldives Victory home, from large groupers and tunas to giant trevallies and schools of fusiliers. Come face to face with turtles guarding the bow of the vessel and its stunning corals, or step back in time and explore the ship's former accommodation quarters and bridge. On your ascent you will have a majestic bird's eye view of this beautiful vessel. This dive is best undertaken by experienced divers only.

2) HP Reef
The plethora of soft corals in every conceivable colour explodes like a paint splash over three enormous coral heads and overhangs. Between the tides, an enormous flow of water oozes through this channel.
Jacks, Blue striped snapper, groupers, fusiliers and eagle rays are seen here. Lurking amidst the corridors of a luxuriant coverage of iridescent corals are red coral groupers, giant cods, crocodilefish, and scorpionfish.

3) Banana Reef
Banana Reef is the first dive site discovered in the Maldives and still among the best. The plate corals (Acropora) on the reef slope are some of the most pristine in the Maldives. The best diving on this banana shaped reef is at the north eastern end where there are caves, gutters and precipitous overhangs filled with ornamental fishes and soft corals. Napoleon Wrasse, Moray eels in amazing numbers and thousands of Schooling Bannerfish fluttering in the water like butterflies in a deep blue sky makes this dive site one of the most popular dive sites in the Maldives.

4) Kahambu Thila
Kahambu in Dhivehi (the local language) means Hawksbill Turtle and these are frequently sited on this small reef. The striking feature are the black coral trees surrounded by small glassfish. The reef is also the home of Fred the frogfish. Here you also find lionfish, scorpionfish, the very shy cometfish and whitetip reef sharks cruising arround.

5) Middle Point
"Middle Point" is situated in the middle of the Tamburudhu channel and offers a drift dive for the experienced and adventurous. It rises from 100 meters below the sea to ten. When commencing your dive you will jump into the deep blue of the ocean with nothing much around you until the current takes you to the front point of the reef, where you will observe a large school of gray reef, silver tip and white tip sharks circling the deeper waters. Looking up at the surface you will discover eagle rays dancing in the current accompanied by tunas and barracudas. After some time of underwater dreaming, you can let the current carry you along the reef and enjoy the other treasures it has to offer.

6)Randhi Wreck
A 25 metres long steel wreck lying on its side at about 27 metres in sand. The shallowest part of the wreck comes up to 22 metres. You can get a closer look at the keel, the railing, the propeller and into the cargo hold. It is covered in soft corals and tube anemones. Many big lionfish and pufferfish live here.