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Scuba diving
is the major tourist attraction in the country and approximately
60% of travellers try diving at least once. A host of recognized
and popular dive spots are available in the Maldives, most can be
easily reached from resorts and the rest are accessible by boat
on diving safari trips.
In addition to myriads of fish and corals, there is the excitement
of diving with turtles, manta rays, moray eels, whales, and shark
and enjoying some of the country's accessible shipwrecks, as well
as the Maldive Victory off Hulule Airport, thought by many
enthusiasts to be among the most thrilling wreck dives in the world.
Just about every resort operates a diving school to keep its guests
occupied; however, you can also just wear a mask and flippers and
swim a few of strokes from a beach to savour the fascinating moment
of the country's submarine plant life.
As there are fabulous breaks accessible from the resorts near Male,
Surfing has become increasingly popular in the regions. Surfing
safaris to the isolated atolls can also be organized. It is always
a good idea to reserve surf trips with a well known surf travel
agent since the Maldives is certainly not the kind of country where
a surfer can take a few boards and go towards for the waves.
The watersport enthusiast has a great deal of chances to go sailing,
parasailing, water-skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing.
An upmarket option at some resorts is Big game fishing; however,
there is a 'tag and release' policy, so you are not allowed to keep
your catch. If you can't get enough fishing during the day, you
can also go night fishing on board a dhoni, a traditional
boat.
Some people are just never satisfied, which must be why banana
boat riding has become popular at most resorts. Up to 12 people
climb onto a huge, blow-up banana, which is then hauled around a
lagoon by a speedboat.
The enthusiasts prefer to bring their own telescopes even though
some hotels offer these facilities. Stargazing is an outstanding
activity here as there are few ‘city lights’
disturbing the stars twinkling in the evening sky over the islands.
Gazing at them without the telescopes is also possible as the air
is about as clear as you’ll find anywhere on earth and even
the moon seems closer.
Badminton is available at
many resorts sited around the country.
‘Bai Bala’
is a Maldivian tag game. Local associations compete and hold tournaments
on many of the inhabited islands. Consult your hotel or resort staff
for additional information.
Basketball can be played
at numerous resorts and hotels.
Beach Volleyball
is a favoured activity at many resorts worldwide and the same goes
for the Maldives.
Parasailing Fly above the islands,
drift over the sea…gaze down through the crystal clear blue
sea below and view layer after layer of many large groups of fish,
see dolphins gambol below you and be amazed by the experience that
will stay with you long after you land on the soft white sands of
your glorious island retreat.
Sailing can be experienced
on one of the many catamarans offered by most resorts or
in a local sailing boat, a traditional dhoni. This
is a fun experience and well worth trying, particularly at sunset
or in the early morning. It's quite normal for large groups of dolphins
to frolic around your boat or to see myriads of flying fish taking
flight as the boat passes by.
Snorkeling for beginners
and experts, without a doubt the country must rank as one of the
very best places for snorkeling and diving in the world. The varieties
of submarine life and the crystal clear blue sea with visibility
up to 60 metres is hard to find anywhere else. Snorkeling in the
Maldives is a specialty at all the resorts. All equipment required
for snorkeling or diving is on hand at the resorts; however, any
enthusiasts who prefer to bring their own snorkeling gear will be
welcome to join the rest should they wish. With only a few exceptions,
almost all resort islands have a "house reef" which is
literally a stone's throw away. With a never ending variety of marine
life at depths starting from one metre onwards. |
| Useful travel links |
| Scuba
Spots |
online scuba
diving directory in the world |
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