05 exotic wildlife in the Maldives that is sure to thrill nature lovers – rewarding encounters

With over 1,000 islands and 26 atolls under its care, the Maldives beckons the inquisitive vacationer to suit up and go adventuring within its shallow as well as deep blue waters which are a playground for varying species of fish. Known to number well more than 2,000 such species, one’s appetite for exploring will know no bounds when scenes of the ocean floor and eye-catching coral reefs fall into view. The Tilapia and Tune are commonly found inhabiting these warm oceans while on the flip side, sightings of the Longnose Hawkfish, Barracuda, Surgeonfish and Bluestripe Snapper will surely have you wanting to remain down below for as long as time and one’s resources allow.

Aside from the Whales, Whale Sharks and Dolphins that feature among the biggest marine mammals in the Maldives, the Rays that live and feed off the resources in these seas cannot be excluded under any circumstance. While a snorkelling trip or boating expedition will have you well placed to catch a glimpse of the Rays, a handful of resorts afford unobstructed access to their very own Manta Ray and Stingray feeding sessions that are extremely exciting and insightful to the visitor. During seasonal gatherings, Eagle Rays are known to join in with their fellow siblings, the Stingray and Manta Ray for one marvellous spectacle and in terms of where best to go, Manta Ray Point or Hanifaru Bay will certainly complement your every fancy. With the advent of the Southwest Monsoon, these animals can be spotted gliding over corals hunting for food in the form of plankton.

Based on the understanding that the Maldives is home to favourable conditions for a wide range of wildlife, it isn’t hard to make sense of why the world’s most popular sea turtles live and breed here. While local conservation initiatives continue to focus on maintaining these environments for the betterment of these species, divers as well as snorkelers will find sea turtle spotting one of the top things to do. In Maldives, travellers will be able to see the Hawksbill Turtle, and Leatherback Turtle together with the Green Turtle which inhabits these areas, particularly from June to November which is considered a breeding season. Therefore, it is wiser to book a form of accommodation during the mentioned period such as Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives which can be your base from where such adventures can be scheduled.

The oceans and islands that comprise the archipelago present conditions that are conducive towards migratory birds that descend on the Maldives from Eurasian regions. Therefore, the Frigate Bird which is a kind of sea bird is easily spotted when on holiday here while the Pond Heron, White-breasted Waterhen and Black-naped Tern feature prominently which is why it is a ‘must’ to carry your trusty pair of binoculars or camera before you step out of your room.

Ardent nature lovers will simply be in their element no sooner they stumble upon sightings of the Agamid Lizard and the Oriental Garden Lizard which are easy finds in and around some of the resorts in the Maldives. Considered very much endemic, these land-based reptilians will serve as a great way to partake in a photography session that is bound to linger long in one’s memory.