The Bulhalhohi Caves Dive Site

At the Northeast of Rangali lies the magnificent beauty of the Bulhalhohi

The Bulhalhohi offers a broad spectrum of natural beauty and exotic marine life

As the name implies, caves are the biggest attraction to this dive and can be found North East of Rangali. Diving here is only allowed on the Eastern and Southern sides. The largest of these caves can be found on the Southern side of Bulhalhohi. Visibility can lower and a lamp will be needed to dive here. Beautiful corals and a wide array of marine life inhabits these caves.

Location: South Ari Atoll, Northeast of Rangali

Rating: Intermediate to advanced

Description: Diving is only on the South and East sides, where grey reef shark and white tipped reef sharks swim past when there is current. The largest of the caves lie in the middle of the South part.

Depth range: 6 – 30 metres.

Marine life: In the caves are wonderful soft corals and fan corals. Big schools of batfish, turtles, reef sharks, nudibranches, nusiliersbig groupers and napoleonfish can also be found here.

Instructor’s comment: A lamp is necessary for this place. A fast overhead descent and a free swimming safety stop is necessary.

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The “Washing Machine Current”

The “washing machine current” is mostly present within the atolls of the Maldives

For scuba diving beginners, this is one thing that must not be panicked on

Diving around the atolls of the Maldives is simply blissful. However, there is this phenomenon called the “washing machine current“, wherein the underwater current tends to swirl like the water in the washing machine, caused by an interruption of local currents and whirpools that could drift an inexperienced diver off the reef. These currents could be avoided. If you are ever taken by these currents, be sure not to panic – as for the number one rule in scuba diving. Do not stress yourselves when taken by these since they are not really dangerous as they sound. Once you drift off  the reef, you could just simply return to the surface and swim back to the boat, since these currents are only present underwater. You could also use a negative buoyancy entry to get past the heaviest surface currents to regroup in mid-water and start your dive. As with most atolls, expect high-speed drift diving on the outside of the outer reefs and relaxed coral diving on the inside of the lagoons. Oftenly, there is also a cold thermocline once you reach the deep waters of the Maldives so, you must also dress appropriately.

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The Angaga Thila Dive Site

The Angaga Thila is one of the best dive sites in the Maldives

It is located at the South Ari Atoll, South of Angaga

The Angaga Thila in is considered to be one of the best dive spots in the Maldives for advanced divers. With its rich marine life, the Angaga Thila has been known for its grey reef sharks and stonefish.

• Rating: Intermediate to advanced

• Description: Reef top lies at 8 – 10 metres, around the thila it is 20 metres. The edge falls over at 40 metres.

• Depth range: 10 – 30 metres.

• Marine life: Angaga thila is famous for the grey reef sharks that patrol the area when there is current. If you are lucky you will find stonefish, snails and cleaning crabs on the reef top. Hunting tunas, schooling barracudas, the fastest animal on earth – the mantis shrimp, octopus, a rare and beautiful patterned puffer fish, whitetip reef sharks, a school of banner fish, turtles and stone fish all make Angaga their home. Around the thila are some caves with good fish life. At the edge you are most likely to catch glimpses of some big game fish.

• Instructor’s comment: Fast overhead descent and free swimming safety stop necessary.

Maintaining Scuba Equipment

Scuba equipment should be properly maintained at all times

Proper maintenance would not just prolong the function of your equipment, it could also prevent underwater problems

Caring for your scuba gear should just be as articulate as the required training before you dive. Proper functioning of your equipment is very essential for your safety and your enjoyment underwater, that is why we are to give you tips on how to care for your equipment.

• The easiest part to maintain among all scuba gears is your mask. After each dive, you should always rinse your masks thoroughly with fresh water and toothpaste to get rid of the saltwater and to prevent your mask from fogging. The same is to be done with your scuba fins, sand and other objects may cause discomfort on your next dive. Store your equipment in a cool, dry place to prevent cracking and warping.
• Your Buoyancy Control Device or your “BCD” may tend to accumulate little salt crystals that can damage the fabric in time. Just pour a small amount of water into the bladder of the BCD and squeeze it out. You should also rinse the oral inflator with an antiseptic solution to kill off bacteria and germs that tend to congregate in your inflators. Also make sure to store your BCD’s partially inflated.

• Proper care for your scuba tank can prolong its life for decades. It is best to make sure that your tank is never left totally empty. Be sure to dip your tank into fresh water to rinse the cylinder and the valve. If you won’t be using your tank for a few months, make sure to drain the oxygen to about 1000 kPa to reduce potential for corrosion. And always store your tanks away from direct sunlight.
• Always rinse the scuba regulator while it is still attached to the tank and after every dive. Keep its dust cover ssecurely in place and rinse it with a strong stream of fresh water. Make sure not to press the purge button while rinsing the regulator. Scuba tanks and regulators have to be professionally serviced at least once a year.

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Diving Tips For Beginners

Scuba diving would take you into depths of amazement and beauty

And every scuba endeavor would require the right preparation in order to maximize your enjoyment underwater

Before Diving

Before any dive, a beginner must be in a reasonably good shape and must be comfortable underwater. The last thing you would want in scuba diving is to panic underwater. Although scuba diving does not necessarily require rigorous swimming, it is best to feel comfortable underwater just as you are above surface. Beginners should always enroll in a certified dive school to get a genuine experience of diving in a safe and controlled environment. Aside from the basics taught by the qualified instructors, safety skills such as clearing your mask underwater, signaling, managing low air supply and reinserting oxygen regulators are also taught. The PADI is known to be the premiere diving certification in the world.

Gearing Up

All scuba diving activities should be done with the basic, appropriate gear, and these would be your mask, fins,  buoyancy-control devices or your “BCD’s”, and your wetsuits. Most dive shops would provide the necessary equipment, but would-be divers might to consider having their own masks and snorkels because those masks in the dive shop might not suit your face pretty well, which would make you clear your mask more often when underwater. New divers are always required to dive with guides or “buddies” who could check and help with the necessary equipment.

The First Dive

It is also important to choose a reputable guide for your first dive. Not only would they have the best experience underwater, they would also be prudent enough in dealing with any problems that may be encountered underwater. Being relaxed is the most important thing when scuba diving. Experienced guides are also the ones who would take you to the best dive spots and would make sure that your first dive would be a memorable one.

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Preventing and Dealing with Muscle Cramps While Underwater

Maximize your enjoyment underwater by preventing muscle cramps

Learn more in order to enjoy more

Muscle cramping is a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction that causes severe pain which oftenly occurs in the legs or shoulders as a result of chills or muscle strains. Aside from the physical distraction and discomfort, muscle cramps could also cause underwater anxiety, which could lead to further problems. And you know you wouldn’t want to have problems underwater. Nevertheless, there are still several things that could be done if you ever experience cramping underwater.

• The initial thing to be done once you get a cramp underwater, of course, is to alert your dive buddy about the situation. In that way, he/she could help you mobilize underwater.
• Establish neutral buoyancy by breathing correctly. Neutral buoyancy would allow you to float steadily and stretch your muscles. Neutral buoyancy is always to be practiced in all scuba diving simulation exercises.
• It is recommended to stretch and massage the cramped muscle to ease the pain. If you ever experience cramping in your calf muscle, it would be best to pull the tip of your fin and pull it towards you to stretch the calf muscle. Or you could just have your dive buddy do it for you.
• Getting enough potassium in your diet would prevent your muscles from cramping. Bananas are a very good source of potassium, with 1 banana containing 451 mg of it. It would be good and healthy to include bananas during meals before scuba diving.

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Scuba Diving for People with Disabilities

Scuba diving isn’t a sport limited only for those people without physical disabilities

Scuba diving is an open sport for everyone, even for the disabled – may it be physical or mental, as long as they get the proper instructions and certifications

Scuba diving is a sport that offers a unique glimpse of the underwater world to everyone. People with disabilities should never be discouraged since scuba diving lessons aren’t limited to the able-bodied only. It’s never too late for anyone to explore the underwater beauty through scuba diving. Here are the ways to get scuba certified even for the disabled.

• Train with a certified instructor/agency with a facility equipped to train disabled persons. You would be able to choose a program that would suit your promising scuba diving capabilities in accordance to the particular disability. This program would instruct potential scuba divers proper techniques and the necessary safety procedures.
• Scuba divers are categorized according to their diving capabilities. Level “A” divers must dive with at least 1 buddy. Level “B” divers are required to dive with at least 2 buddies. While the Level “C” divers must also dive with at least 2 buddies, with one of which must be a certified and trained CPR provider.
• After being certified in the open-water course, you could still achieve an advanced scuba diving certification. Scuba diving would never limit your capabilities for as long as you are willing to learn more and enhance your skills further.

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Last Minute Deal on Dream Catcher II Diving Safari

Last Minute Deal on Dream Catcher II Diving Safari

Dream Catcher II, a luxurious liveaboard possessing seven comfortable suites and an unforgettable diving experience, is offering an unbelievable last minute price.

Last Minute Price

If you’ve always wanted to go to the Maldives, this is your chance! Dream Catcher II is offering an unbeatable last minute price of just USD $225 per person per night. This price includes accommodation, all meals and snacks and all diving (two or three dives per day).

Contact Maldives Dive Travel NOW to take advantage of this last minute price & reserve your space!

*Act NOW, availability is limited.

Dream Catcher II Itinerary

During this cruise, taking place from from April 26 to May 3, Dream Catcher II will cruise around the best dive spots of the Ari, North Male and South Male Atolls, renowned for theri colorful coral, clear water and abundance of marine life.

Furthermore, it is still Manta Ray season in the Maldives, so expect to be wowed by the beauty and size of these magnificent, gentle creatures. It is estimated that there are around 10,000 Manta Rays living in the Maldives, and it is not uncommon to see groups of up to 150 Manta Rays at a cleaning station at one time.

Dream Catcher II Ammenities and Accomodation

Built in 2008, Dream Catcher II is an eleganlty designed, immensley comfortable liveaboard ship.   The 102-foot yacht comprises accommodation for up to 17  guests throughout 7 luxurious cabins.  All guest rooms are air-conditioned, have private en-suite bathrooms and sea-facing windows, making sure that all guests can appreciate the stunning beauty of the Maldivian landscape at all times.

In the living area on the ship, guests can enjoy use of state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment as well as Nintendo Wii and a wireless internet connection.

Dream Catcher II Activities

It goes without saying that the primary activity on the boat is scuba diving.  Guests enjoy two or three dives a day plus one night dive each week.  While the marine life varies with the season and the weather, common sightings include whale sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks, hammerheads and a plethora of smaller, reef-dwelling creatures.  Aside from diving, guests also enjoy snorkeling, fishing, visits to remote, uninhabited islands, cultural visits to local communities and a shopping excursion in the capital of the Maldives, Male.

This last minute offer will sell out fast, so book now and take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy luxury cruising in the Maldives at an unbeatable price!

*All prices subject to change without notice.

Preventing Hypoxia in Scuba Diving

Hypoxia is a medical condition wherein your body is deprived of oxygen, which could lead to serious tissue damages

Here are simple ways to prevent hypoxia during your dive

Even the most experienced divers could encounter hypoxia if they do not take proper precautions. Divers usually experience hypoxia during altitude dives, since the air pressure decreases gradually as you go deeper underwater, thus, providing less oxygen.

Symptoms of hypoxia include:

• fatigue
• shortness of breath
• light-headedness
• exhaustion

If these symptoms are experienced underwater, it is best to be escorted by your dive buddy as you resurface SLOWLY. It is ideal to resurface slowly by stopping and familiarizing yourself with the water level at least every 3 feet. You may also equalize your ears as you stop at each level to prevent ear problems as well.

In order to prevent hypoxia, you should make sure to rest before you dive. Resting would provide your body an ample supply of oxygen for such activities. Try also not to strain yourselves when hauling your dive equipment. And once you get into the water, make sure that you catch your breath before descending underwater. Resurfacing slowly would prevent your body from shock caused by the sudden change in pressure, hence, preventing hypoxia and decompression sickness from occurring. If you live at a high altitude area, then it is best that you try to familiarize your body with the sudden change in air pressure by staying in lower places for a while before scuba diving in the ocean. Proper training is very essential in scuba diving and it is also best to be trained by certified dive centers.

How to Prevent Your Mask from Fogging

Fogging could be one annoying problem that you may encounter underwater

And to save you the upset of not being able to enjoy your dive, here are the best and easiest ways to prevent your masks from fogging

The dive mask would be one of the most essential equipments in scuba diving and snorkeling. It will enable you to see underwater and obviously, without it, it would be impossible for you to explore the underwater bliss of the Maldives beaches.

One very common problem once you go underwater in these masks is fogging – where moist builds up in the inside of the lenses, which make it difficult for you to visualize underwater. And here are the easiest ways to prevent your masks from fogging underwater.

Use the Frugal Method

1. Spit on the mask and smother it all over the inside of the lens. This may sound gross, but it definitely works! And the best part is – it’s free and unlimited, you can even do it on your way to the dive site.
2. Rinse the mask with water and you are ready to go.
3. Wet the mask and your head before wearing it. You will find that the mask is easier to adjust as well if it is wet and moist – including your wetsuit as well.

Use the potato method

1. Cut a potato in thin, potato chip-like slices.
2. Rub a piece of a potato slice all over the inside of the mask.
3. Rinse the mask with water and you are ready to go.

Use the defogger method

1. Buy a commercial mask defogger preparation. These are available at nearly every dive shop that you would visit.
2. Apply the preparation according to its directions.
3. Don the mask and get in the water.

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