|
WHAT TO DO IN THE
MALDIVES
Not only do you discover aspects of the planet
denied to most people, but you make a lot of good friends as well!
The Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty. The profusion of
psychedelic colours and the abundance and variety of life underwater
have fascinated divers and snorkellers since Maldives was discovered
as a diving destination. The highest level of visibility that one
could expect- sometimes exceeding 50 metres - and warm temperatures
throughout the year makes diving in the Maldives a delight you would
want to experience over and over again. The Maldives has some of the
best dive sites in the world and many visit the Maldives repeatedly
for the sole purpose of diving.All resorts in the Maldives have
professional dive schools with multi-lingual instructors and conduct
courses for beginners as well as the advanced. Many of the resorts
have excellent house reefs. Just a short swim from the beach and
snorkellers too can experience the same pleasures from the surface.
SCUBA DIVING
Every resort in the Maldives caters for scuba divers and
international certificates of all types are accepted. The dive schools
are well equipped, and regulators, BCDs, computers, masks, snorkels
and fins are available for hire. For those learning to dive resorts
offer a variety of dive courses are conducted in several languages,
with courses conducted in English, German, Italian, French and
Japanese in most of the For those learning to dive all resorts conduct
open water and advanced courses such as night diving, rescue diving,
underwater photography. Courses such as naturalist and shark
specialist courses have proved most popular due to the growing
interest in the marine environment. At resorts, diving is conducted
daily all year around and it is only rarely that diving has to be
cancelled. Most resorts would have access to a protected reef on the
leeward side of the island that enables them to dive even during times
of rough seas and strong winds.
SNORKELING
Snorkeling over the shallow reefs of the islands is an ideal way
to explore the underwater world. The house reefs of most of the
islands are just a few strokes away from the beach. Even if the reef
are quite shallow and one may simply walk up to the reef to enjoy its
beauty. Snorkeling equipment is available at all the resorts. Some
organize regular snorkeling excursions to give visitors a chance to
experience the diversity of marine life and reef structures in the
Maldives.
SNORKELING TRIPS
-
Choose a mask that fits
snugly.
-
Test this by putting it to
your face without using the strap and breathe in through the nose. If
it fits properly it will not fall off, even when you lean forward.
-
Choose a pair of fins that
fit your feet comfortably and a snorkel that fits easily in to your
mouth.
-
Get advise on the best
snorkeling spots and how to reach them.
-
Find out the potential
problems such as waves, currents and difficult entries and exits.
-
Wear a t-shirt to protect
yourself from the sun and a waterproof sunscreen on exposed areas of
your skin such as the neck and the back of your knees.
-
And finally, do not walk
or step on the corals, to protect yourself and the corals from injury
and damage.
SUBMARINE
Until today,
divers are said to be the only people who truly enjoy their holidays
in the Maldives. After all, what is a visit to the Maldives without
experiencing its magical underwater world?
Now with the introduction of the German built Whale Submarine, divers
and non-divers alike can enjoy the enchanting beautiful coral reefs
and magnificent tropical fish from the comfort of an air-conditioned
submarine with friends, family or loved ones. This incredible
adventure takes place aboard the world’s deep diving largest passenger
submarine! Descend to100 feet below the ocean surface and witness
ocean life and other treasures, sights once only seen by scuba divers.
Boasting with a 100% safety record worldwide this is a must experience
for every visitor, an excursion only available in a very few parts of
the world.
Maldives is fast
establishing itself as a destination for surfers. Surfing is
relatively new to the Maldives, especially compared to more
established activities such as scuba diving. However, the recent
O’Neil Deep Blue Contest held in this year has placed Maldives firmly
on the world’s surf map. While most of the recognized surf breaks are
in Male’ Atoll, there is certainly more to be discovered. For resort
based surfing it is advisable to choose one of the resorts on the
eastern side of North Male’ Atoll where you could get access to a
number of excellent breaks.
SURF SITES
A selection of popular surf spots
Chickens
Villingilimathi Huraa (Kuda Villingili), Uninhabited island. Eastern
reef of North Male’ Atoll : Requires speed. Long, excellent
left-hander that has two sections. A pleasant thin, peeling, racing
lip. However conditions must be perfect, otherwise it’s not make able.
Best winds are NW-NNE (offshore). Named because of a poultry farm on
the island. Access by boat.
Cokes
Thulusdhoo, Atoll Capital. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll: A short
but intense ride. A big wave tube spot. A steep barreling takeoff,
then a very shallow inside section that opens up even more than the
takeoff. Best on mid to high tide, however, can be surfed at low tide
if the swell is big enough. Ideal on a straight south swell and winds
NW however, can be surfed in winds from any direction W - N.
Named after the Coca-Cola factory on the island, beautiful view of
palm fringed beach from the surf zone. Access by boat.
Lhohi
Lohifushi Island Resort. Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll: Good and
hollow left-hander with two sections. Need big SE swells and high
tides to work well. Best during NW-NE offshore winds. Named after the
island resort Lohifushi. Access by boat or from Lohifushi Resort.
Piddlies /
Ninjas
Kanifinolhu Resort. Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll: Slow
right-hander, good for beginners and long-boarders. Best on W-NW winds
with a moderate S swell. However swells larger than 4 feet spoils it.
Named Ninjas because many Japanese surfers seem to like it. Access by
boat.
Sultans
Tari Village Resort (Kanu Huraa) . Eastern reef of North Male’ Atoll:
Perfect long left, which picks up more swell and is more consistent
than any other break. ‘Macaroni Bowl’-a second tube section, which
develops after the fast take off section, mellows out for a cutback.
‘Lockjaws’ - if you are game try out this very fast and shallow end
section, which comes after the ‘Macaroni Bowl’. Rides are 75 to 100
yards long. Reserved for the exclusive use of the resort guests.
(Strictly enforced by Tari Village Resort management) Best winds; N,
but can be surfed with NE-NW. Best months - February, March and April.
Accessible from the shore.
Honkey’s
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll:
Excellent, long, world-class right-hander. One of the most consistent
waves of Male’ Atoll, which never closes out, even on the biggest
swells. The take-off is a steep outside peak called ‘Phantoms’, which
slingshots into a very long, walled, super fast section called the
‘Pinnacles’, over four feet. All three sections can be thrilling,
almost insane tubes. Rides are 100 to 150 yards. Best on high tide
with any wind from W to N. Access by boat.
Tomb Stones
Thamburudhoo (Uninhabited Island), Adjacent to ‘Sultans’. Eastern Reef
of North Male’ Atoll: Long, left-hander. Starts small and increases in
size and intensity as it wraps 90 degrees around the island. A six
feet wave on the take-off will end up at least eight feet on the end
section, called ‘Fred’s Ledge’. Long rides and tubes through all
sections. Best on low tides unless swell is huge. Best winds, ENE-N
(this is the only wave that works on a ENE wind). Best swell, straight
S. Best months for this wave, February, March and April. Affected by
strong currents in the Southwest monsoon from May to October. Access
by boat.
Male’ Island Point
Full Moon Beach Resort, Furana Fushi Island, Eastern Reef of North
Male’ Atoll: Long, right-hander, offshore in winds S to W. Breaks
rarely and only large swells. At three feet it has a dry reef to surf
on. In the big swells of 1987, when many of the islands were flooded,
this was surfed at a perfect six to eight feet.
Gurus
Male’, the capital. Eastern reef of Male’, Southern tip of North Male’
Atoll: A couple of shifting peaks, popular with locals, riding
surfboards and boogie boards. The reef picks up plenty of swell. Best
in W winds. Accessible from the shore.
Twin Peaks
Miyaru Faru near the island of Gulhi, inhabited island, Eastern Reef
of South Male’ Atoll: Sectiony left, which picks up more swell than
most of the breaks in South Male’ Atoll. Can have a good end section
in a big S swell. Best in N winds, the higher the tide, the better.
Access by boat.
Quarters
Gulhigaathuhuraa, uninhabited island attached to Palm Tree Island
Resort. Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll: Really nice, fast little
right-hander that picks up less swell than most other places.
Best in winds W to NW. Named after the resort workers’ quarters on the
island.
Kate’s
Boduhuraa, Uninhabited Island near the Palm Tree Island Resort.
Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll: Small short left. Best in winds NW
to N.
Natives
Kandooma Resort, Eastern Reef of North Male’ Atoll: A short right,
that needs a big swell. Best SW winds.
Riptides
Guraidhoo, Inhabited Island. Eastern Reef of South Male’ Atoll: Small
reef in the middle of the channel on the southern side of the island;
fast right-hander, one of the best waves in the area. The area is
subject to strong currents. Best on W to SW winds. Access by boat.
SURFING SEASON
The weather in Maldives is influenced by two monsoons; the
northeast monsoon and the southwest monsoon from November to April
brings fine weather coincides with the high tourist season. The
southwest monsoon from May to October is often wet and rainy. However,
this period provides the best surf.
FISHING
Fishing is not only the lifeblood of the Maldivian economy; it is
also a popular pastime among locals as well as visitors. Maldivians
enjoy a variety of different types of fishing. The most popular among
these in night fishing. The boat leaves the island and anchors at a
reef before the sunsets and darkness sets in. the lines are tethered
with hooks and sinkers and dropped overboard from both sides of the
dhoni. If the fishing is good it gives a lot of excitements to
everyone. If not it gives you an excellent opportunity to relax under
the night sky as the boat gently rocks with the waves.
Morning fishing or big game fishing involves trolling, usually outside
the atoll along the reef. Fishing enthusiasts may prefer to bring
their own equipment if they wish to experience the excitement during
their visit.Almost all the resorts organize night fishing trips at
least once a week. Big game fishing or morning fishing, if not
included in the resorts weekly program, may be organized on request. |
Information provided by Maldives Tourism Promotion Board,
Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Maldives.
