DIVE IN…

The Maldives is a nation of islands in the Indian Ocean that span the equator. The country comprises 1,192 islands stretching some 871 kilometres. While the country covers an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometres, only around 300 square kilometres of it is dry land, making Maldives 99 percent water and one percent land – a diver’s paradise! The islands are grouped into a double chain of 26 atolls.

The Maldives is home to about five percent of the planet’s reefs, which are made up both hard and soft coral in a riot of colour. The reefs are home to at least 1,000 species of fish. Lured by the rich nutrients that flow in with the currents, large pelagic fishes such as manta rays and whale sharks also make the Maldives their home.

Fotteyo Kandu in Vaavu Atoll hosts abundant coral and fish, but also includes caves, wrecks, overhangs and swim-throughs filled with yellow soft coral and black coral bushes at deeper depths. You may see reef sharks, jack and tuna, plus large schools of snapper.

South Ari Atoll hosts Broken Rock, a unique formation that has a canyon which breaks the reef in two. Look for large fan corals in the canyon and Napoleon wrasse, turtles, scorpionfish, moray eels and good coral growth on the reef. Kudarah Thila is a marine protected area that has a small reef full of soft corals and abundant fish life.

Bring a dive light to explore the arch and a large overhang that make the dive unique.

SWEET TREATS

FOR PARCHED LIPS

TOP RIGHT A school of powder blue tangs BOTTOM RIGHT A diver amongst yellow snapper

PLAN YOUR VISIT GETTING THERE