Joanna James
Diving in Maldives is a wonderful adventure that gives you the chance to discover a whole new world under the water. So, here's a list of the top dive sites in Maldives.
Manta Rays are a most graceful species of fish that can be frequently seen in the waters of Maldives. However, there is one place is renowned for spotting manta rays and that is the Manta Point. This is located on the North Malé Atoll in Maa Kandu. What's so special about this place is that it is a 'cleaning station' where the giant manta rays come to get cleaned by tiny wrasse fish. While the manta rays benefit from a good cleaning, the wrasse benefit by getting a good meal of the parasites from the mantas' wings. The best time to visit Manta Point would be from May to November.
Home to a range of pelagic and colourful corals, the South Malé Atoll features wild drifts in deep wrecks, channels, and caves. From the eastern side, there are 6 channels that feed the atoll with much marine life like schools of fish such as sweetlips, eagle rays, red snapper, white sharks and grey sharks. Some of the best areas to dive in are close located close to the COMO Cocoa Island, The Maldives, so if you're booking with them, you can also get diving excursions arranged by the hotel.
Lying beside a narrow channel, the HP Reef receives many currents that provide nourishment for impressive growths of blue corals. The coral also attracts a large variety of pelagic and reef fish. Other sites to see at HP Reef include a range of spectacular caves and a 25m swim-through vertical chimney. The HP Reef is a protected marine area.
Also a protected marine area, the Banana Reef is so called because of its curious banana shape. The reef is home to a wonderful array of marine life ranging from sharks to barracuda, moray eels, and the giant Napoleon wrasse. Because it's amazing marine biodiversity, the Banana Reef became one of the first dive sites in the Maldives to become internationally famous.
If you're fond of sharks this is the place to dive. Fish Head (a.k.a Shark Point) is one of the best shark dives in the Maldives. You will be able to spot the 16 resident grey reef sharks here in one single dive. In the past, sharks were fed in this area; however, it is strictly banned now.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
