Marine Life And Reef Conservation

Marine life conservation is also a very important part of the scuba diving experience and the various types of marine species should be properly managed and taken cared of

Marine and reef conservation today is something that is still largely ignored and taken for granted. And the delicate balance and biodiversity within these ecosystems is very crucial in preserving their species and habitats.

As a scuba diver, you should be aware that underwater species are very delicate and even though you might want to pet them as the way you pet your dogs or cats, doing this to underwater species might cause a lot of stress and disturb their natural protection methods. It is hard to imagine how delicate these ecosystems are and upsetting them might cause greater risks in the future.

Reef conservation is another thing that could do a lot to support our ecosystem and our scuba divers as well. Plankton and algae play a very essential part in the underwater life. They don’t just provide food to most of the underwater species, they also are very important to the reefs and are actually what gives them their extravagant colors. While many natural events that we do not take part in could affect these reefs negatively, what more if we play a role in it, which basically happens every single day? It is important that we do our best to control our pollution which is an excellent first step to reef conservation.

If you love scuba diving, you can do your part today by spreading awareness about the importance of these ecosystems and by exerting extra efforts in preserving and taking them seriously.

For more information and for bookings, visit MaldivesDiveTravel.com!

Maldives Regenerates its Corals

Vabbinfaru, Maldives – After years of scientific research, scientists watched astoundingly under the full moon as they witnessed reproducing corals eject pink-orange eggs and copious amounts of sperm, which confirms that the Maldives’ endangered reefs are on its way to regeneration.

“That was the first time in the history of the Maldives that we had discovered coral spawning! It went into our hearts.”, stated by marine biologist, Azeez Hakim, who was one of the watchers that evening. Twelve years ago, a spike in the water temperature, brought about by the El Nino phenomenon, had nearly killed 2/3 of the Maldives coral reefs. Those scientists had blessed the Maldives with a great gift, it was like saving the island from an upcoming economic downfall.

“If the reef is gone, we are gone”, stated by Hakim.

The researchers have found a way to regenerate those coral reefs by using cone-shaped steel frames which served as nurseries for the corals, passing small electric currents through the metal to form limestones, on which the corals could grow after they had produced their eggs and sperm.

The coral reefs play a very important role in the economy of the Maldives. Aside from its beaches and turquoise waters, those reefs lure the tourists as they exhibit pure, natural, underwater beauty, which is basically the main attraction in scuba diving. The corals also serve as building materials for Maldivian homes. And without the coral reefs, coastal erosion could ravage 1,200 islands lying low in the ocean.

“Before 1998, we never thought that this reef would die. We had always taken for granted that these animals would be there, that this reef would be there forever. El Nino gave us a wake-up call that these thing are not going to be there forever.”, Hakim said.

Today, the world is going through another El Nino crisis, and coral regeneration would play a big part in the marine life and the lives of the Maldivian people.

Maalhos Thila Dive Site

Maalhos Thila Dive Site

Here’s a treat for the more advanced scuba divers visting the Maldives! Maalhos Thila dive site in the Maldives starts at a depth of more than 25 metres.  At Maalhos Thila dive site, there is a beautiful selection of coral heads that can be found 28-29 metres below the surface. You can see three large coral heads at Maalhos Thila, all of which are covered with colorful soft coral.

What to see at Maalhos Thila

Look around you while you dive at Maalhos Thila and you will see a variety of great marine life, including the White Tip Reef Sharks and Giant Sweetlips surrounding these coral heads. Also in the surrounding area are caves and overhangs that are filled with blue and yellow soft corals as well as Blue Striped Snappers. Along the top of the reef, you may see a diverse selection of hard corals. Although it is possible to dive at Maalhos Thila both when the current is incoming and outgoing, a safety balloon is always a must, especially when the current is runing out of the atoll.

More information about Maalhos Thila

To find out more about the amazing dive site, Maalhos Thila in the Maldives, get GPS coordinates and see more photos, visit Maalhos Thila

A Guide to the Top 10 Dive Sites in the Maldives

A Guide to the Top 10 Dive Sites in the Maldives

The Maldives is absolute paradise for scuba divers.  The sheer variety of dive sites, marine life and coral specimens makes the Maldives a diving destination without comparison in the world.  There are hundreds of dive sites in the Maldives worthy of a mention on this “Top 10”, but here are just a few of the Maldives dive sites you should try to check out on your scuba diving holiday in the Maldives.

Cocoa Thila Dive Site

Eagle Ray at Cocoa Thila Dive Site

Cocoa Thila is another of the Maldives premier dive sites.  It is a pinnacle site (Thila means pinnacle in Dhivehi). Cocoa Thila is home to some very pretty coral formations, and owing to the large slope and the depth difference, there is a good variety of fish, ranging from grey reef sharks off the northern side to Eagle Rays, Trevallies and Oriental Sweetlips. The currents here can be strong, so the site is recommended for intermediate and advanced divers, but it’s thanks to the currents that the marine life at Cocoa Thila is so diverse and constantly changing.

Click here for more information about Cocoa Thila and other great dive sites.

Kuda Haa Dive Site

Kuda Haa, for many scuba divers, is one of the best dive sites in the world.  Located off North Male Atoll, Kuda Haa comprises two humps of coral reef which are frequented by an amazing variety of Maldives marine life, including Fairy Basslet, Snapper, Moray Eels, Tuna and Lion Fish.  In the shallower parts of the reef, harmless reef sharks are often spotted – one of the primary reasons for the dive site’s popularity.

Click here for more information about Kuda Haa and other great dive sites.

Fotteyo Kandu Dive Site

Fotteyo Kandu is ranked among the top 5 dive sites in the world, and is rightly considered by many to be the best dive site in the Maldives. It is a great dive site for seeing Grey Reef Sharks, Jack and Tuna in and schools of Midnight Snappers and Red Snapper that congregate in large groups. The wall of the dive site features caves, overhangs and swim-throughs at different depths. These caves and overhangs are filled with colourful yellow colour like soft coral, deeper caves and overhangs are filled with huge bushes of black corals. The pinnacle in the middle of the channel entrance is the best place to do the safety stop.  The strong currents mean that a surface balloon is a must at Fotteyo Kandu.

Click here for more information about Fotteyo Kandu a and other great dive sites.

Lion’s Head Dive Site

Lion’s Head is one of the Maldives’ most beautiful dive sites, named for one of the coral formations here that is shaped like a lion’s head.  Located off the southern end of North Male Atoll, it is a renowned for encounters with Grey Reef Sharks.  Lion’s Head is also home to some spectacularly colorful coral formations, and steep overhangs and a wall reef.  The currents here can be strong, intermediate to advanced level, and scuba divers are likely to be swimming with Rainbow Fusiliers, Napoleon Wrasse, Trigger Fish and a great variety of Nudibranchs.

Click here for more information about Lion’s Head and other great dive sites.

Hukrueli Faru Dive Site

Hukrueli Faru (Madivaru) is a colorful reef dive site located off of Ari Atoll in the Maldives.  The name Madi means Manta in Dhivehi, because of all the Manta Rays that visit here in the Northeast Monsoon season.  It is a deep dive site with the reef going down to almost 100 feet in places.  Apart from the Rays, Hukrueli Faru (Madivaru) is a  good place to see great coral formations and a nice array of coral-dwelling fish.

Click here for more information about Hukrueli Faru and other great dive sites.

Kudarah Thila Dive Site

Kudarah Thila is a popular dive site in the Maldives which enjoys a lot of incoming currents.  It is a marine area protected by the Maldivian government and as such has a nice variety of interesting fish.  The coral here is abundant and coral formations are very colourful including a lot of black, pink, orange and yellow corals on the small reef.

Click here for more information about Kudarah Thila and other great dive sites.

Banana Reef Dive Site

Banana Reef was among the earliest dive sites to ever be discovered in the Maldives and remains a favourite among scuba divers today. The best diving at this site is on the banana-shaped area in the north-eastern side where there are caves, gutters and overhangs filled with fish life and soft coral. Spend as much time as possible near the coral heads; if you begin the dive with your left shoulder to the reef, this is an excellent way to observe the area. At Banana Reef, you are likely to see many fish, including Oriental Sweetlips, Giant Squirrelfish, Bannerfish and many other species that congregate in this spot. When the currents are strong, underwater turbulence can be experienced near the near the large overhang. Stay near the wall and don’t let the current push you away. A parachute is necessary as boat traffic can be heavy at times.

Click here for more information about Banana Reef and other great dive sites.

Maldive Victory Wreck Dive Site

In 1981, a 360-feet freighter named Maldive Victory, coming from Singapore, ran aground onto the southern tip of the airport island in the Maldives, springing a leak and sinking rapidly.  The wreck is now one of the Maldives’ premier dive sites and attracts many scuba divers each year.

There are extremely strong currents here, so all divers descend and ascend along a dive line.  Once you have descended to the depth of the boat the wrecked ship acts as a shelter from the currents and you can move around easily.  Most items from the boat, including the compass, have disappeared from the boat and so there is not that much to see inside the cockpit, but you can dive into other parts of the ship to have look around.  You should take a flashlight and go with a divemaster or someone who knows the boat well.

Click here for more information about Maldive Victory and other great dive sites.

Wattaru Kandu Dive Site

Wattaru Kandu is a great dive site for intermediate divers wishing to see Stingrays, Garden Eels and Reef Sharks. Recommended for intermediate level scuba divers, Wattaru Kandu can have some strong currents, which vary according to the season.  Coral formations here are pretty and colorful, and are home to a good variety of fish and marine life.  On the coral, divers can expect to see some Big Jacks, Turtles, and Napoleon Wrasse. Wattaru Kandu is located off the North Male Atoll, and is easily identified by a sandbank and the reef top, which can be seen from above the water.   Another special feature of this Maldives dive site is the large population of harmless Remora fish, who like to suck on divers and snorkelers as they pass by underwater.

Click here for more information about Wattaru Kandu and other great dive sites.

Lankanfinolhu Faru Dive Site

Lankanfinolhu Faru, a popular dive site in the Maldives is also known by some as Manta Point, due to the frequent Manta Ray visitors seen at this site by scuba divers.  Other marine life common here are turtles, wrasse and several types of moray eels.

Lankanfinolhu Faru ranges in depth from 40 to 130 feet, and throughout the site there are spectacular coral formations. The Manta Rays swim up to the shallower depths of the site to be cleaned – small fish swim through the manta rays’ gills and remove the plankton.  The Manta Ray cleaning process can last about 20 minutes, and if you hang out quietly, you will not disturb these amazing Rays.

Click here for more information about  Lankanfinolhu Faru and other great dive sites.

Coral Reef Man Cured!

Coral Reef Man Undergoes Surgery to Remove Reef-Like Barnacles on his Body!

A Chinese man, dubbed ‘Coral Reef Man’ has been cured of a terrible “reef-like” condition after a year of treatment.

Lin Tianzhuan, from South China began to grow these strange “barnacles” when he was just 13.  Now, 25 years later, they have finally been removed and he has only a few scars left to show for his crazy complaint.

Artificial Coral Reefs Sunken Off the Bahamas

New artificial coral reefs have been created in the Bahamas

Artificial coral reefs have created Two new wreck dives are now accessible to scuba divers visiting Nassau in the Bahamas.  In a joint venture between the Bahamas Government and Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, two new artificial coral reefs by the names of The Anthony Bell and The Long Island Lady have been made available.

Artificial Coral Reefs in the Bahamas

So far, almost 20 artificial coral reefs have been created in the Bahamas and these two wrecks are the latest additions.  The aim of sinking wrecks and creating artificial coral reefs is to add dive sites for scuba divers and increase underwater marine diversity in the Bahamas.

Artifical Reef “Anthony Bell”

The first artificial reef was created by sinking the “Anthony Bell”, old decommissioned tug boat that used to work off of New Providence Island in the Bahamas. The boat is approximately 90 feet in length and is submerged in about 50 feet of water

Artificial Reef “The Long Island Lady”

The other new artificial coral reef to be created is “The Long Island Lady” and was created by sinking a fishing boat that was sitting in abandon for years in the Nassau harbour. “Long Island Lady” is about 70 feet long and she is sitting on a rocky bottom at about 40 feet in depth, right next to an ocean wall that drops down to 6,500 feet.

Top Five Dive Sites in the Maldives

Top Five Dive Sites in the Maldives

Scuba divers heading to the Maldives, one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world, will be eager to visit as many of the best dive sites as possible during their visit, so we have compiled this guide to the best dive sites in the archipelago of the  Maldives.  Of course, which sites you can visit depends largely upon the season, because the scuba diving seasons dictate which dive sites are the best, and which animals you are likely to see.  Your dive guide will know which are the best seasons, but the following information will give you a good idea of the dive sites to check out.

Broken Rock Dive Site

Broken Rock dive site is one of the most well-known dive sites in South Ari Atoll in the Maldives. This pinnacle dive is literally a broken rock with a wide canyon that splits the pinnacle in two sections. Broken Rock dive site is a great place to see hard coral formations, sea slugs and leaf fish.  For more information about Broken Rock, click here.

Fotteyo Kandu Dive Site

Fotteyo Kandu is not only one of the Maldives’ best dive sites, but also one of the best dive sites in the world – it is currently ranked among the top five across the globe.  Apart from spectacular coral reef formations, Fotteyo Kandu is a great place for spotting Grey Reef Sharks, Snappers and if you are lucky enough to do an early morning dive here, you will likely see schools of Hammerhead Sharks.  For more information about Fotteyo Kandu, click here.

HP Reef Dive Site

HP Reef Dive Site is one of the Maldives’ most spectacular dive sites.  It is home to an amazing selection of marine life, including Eagle Rays, Batfish and Silver Jacks.  Click here for more details about HP Reef dive site.

Kuda Haa Dive Site

Kuda Haa is another of the  Maldives prime pinnacle, or “thila” dive sites.  It is a spectacular dive site, covered with beautiful coral formations, and as long as the currents are not too strong, it is an easy-to-navigate dive site.  Scuba divers at Kuda Haa can expect to see plenty of Frogfish, Leaf Fish and Nudibranchs.  For more information, click here.

Maldives Victory Wreck Dive Site

The Maldives Victory Wreck dive site was created when a boat called the Maldives Victory wrecked on an island in the  Maldives.  The ship has since developed a lot of coral growth and many fish now call the Maldives Victory their home.  It is a complicated dive, usually recommended only for advanced scuba divers, but the  marine life here is impressive, including sea turtles and Napoleon Wrasse.  For more information about the Maldives Victory Wreck dive site, click here.

Other Maldives Dive Sites

There are plenty more dive sites in the Maldives that scuba divers will absolutely love.  In fact, there are so many sites that you could spend months scuba diving in the Maldives and never see all the sites.  Not to mention the fact that every day is different at each dive site.  For more information about Maldives dive sites, check out this great directory of sites that includes GPS positions, maps, photos and tips and advice for safe scuba diving.

Coral Reef Future is Bleak

The Disastrous Future of Coral Reefs

Largely in part to the El Niño phenomenon, increased acidity in the ocean and other environmental factors, coral reefs around the world are severely damaged and require a significant change in our human behaviour to stand any chance of surviving.

Why Are Coral Reefs so Special?

An intact coral reef is one of the most impressive things on the earth.  A unique combination of animal, vegetable and mineral, the coral reef is very much a living organism and can be a dazzling display of colourful fish, coral formations and sheer beauty.  The coral reef is actually very similar in nature to a rainforest, and it is equally important to protect.

Can the Coral Reef be Saved?

People often think that the hypotheses surrounding global warming are extreme and pesimistic.  The “it will never happen” attitude is unfortunately all too common.  However, this is not true.  The coral reef is almost unsalvageable.  It appears that of all the endangered ecosystems, the coral reef will  be the first one to be wiped out, before the polar icecaps.

Australian Report on Coral Reef

A recent report from the Australian government warned that the future of the country’s Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world, was very bleak and it would be difficult to avoid extreme damage to the coral reef.  Experts now predict that within just a few decades, the coral reefs around the world will die, turning them to mere piles of rubble.  If, or more like when, this happens, about one-third of the planet’s marine life will also die.  Then, as a consequence of the reef dying, other ecosystems will fail, like the mangroves, which are dependent on the reef, and then other land based ecosytems that are dependent on the mangroves will also be doomed.  It is very much a domino effect.

Coral Reef Annihilation

Experts around the world concur that the future of the coral reefs is a tragic one.  Alex Rogers, an expert in coral at the London Zoological Society believes their “annihilation” is guaranteed.  These experts believe that the damage caused to the coral reef and the future of the reef systems is an indicator of what will happen to the rest of our planet, only the coral reefs will be the first element completely destroyed.

Tropical Coral Reef Systems

While there are corals everywhere in the world, including the cold waters of the North Sea, it is the coral reefs in the tropical waters around the world that the beauty of a coral reef can be truly appreciated.

How does Coral Reef Grow

Much like the symbiotic relationship we have with plants on earth, the corals are mutually dependent on algae.  Algae photosynthesize, using solar energy to create food for the coral.  The coral in return, gives out the carbon dioxide the algae needs to photosynthesize.  The coral secretes calcium carbonate, which it uses to grow its hard outer skeleton.  While it is a hard skeleton, it is very much in peril.  The ocean movement and the fish are constantly wearing down at the coral, eroding it, making it essential that the coral regenerate constantly.  Add human damage to these factors, and the coral just doesn’t stand a chance.  Chemicals entering the water, scuba divers trampling on coral, boats dropping anchor on reefs and severe overfishing around the world, are just some of the factors making life for the coral more challenging every day.

Can the coral be helped?

Environmentalists around the world are working on ways to regenerate coral reef.  Scientists in Japan are farming coral which they later plan to transplant to the damaged Sekisei Lagoon Reef.  They believe the reef can fully recover within 30 years.  Researchers in the Maldives, at the Four Seasons Resort are sending small electronic charges through an underwater cage and stimulating growth this way.  While these solutions may be effective, it is unfortunately a case of “too little, too late.”  The oceans are now so acidic from years of carbon dioxide deposits that it is just impossible to reverse.  The surface waters of the world’s oceans have decreased by approximately 0.1 pH unit.  It doesn’t sound like much, but is a truly devastating change for coral reefs everywhere.

Maldives finds way to Stimulate Coral Reef Growth

Maldives finds way to Stimulate Coral Reef Growth

Eight years ago, an underwater cage was put in place near the island of Vabbinfaru in the Maldives, with the aim of increasing coral reef growth.

How is the Coral Reef Stimulated?

The underwater cage is about 40 feet long and shaped like a flower, hence the name Lotus, and electrical currents pulse through its framework, encouraging the growth of coral. Since it was installed, coral has almost completely covered the frame so now it can hardly be seen.

Who invented the Coral Reef Stimulator?

The Lotus was developed by a German architect named Wolf Hilbertz and a group of scientists who placed the Lotus near the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Resort after much of the Maldives’, and indeed, the World’s coral reef was destroyed by El Niño. The electrical charges going through the Lotus create a reaction in the water, and limestone begins to appear on the Lotus’ frame, then coral settles and begins to grow on the limestone. The electricity also makes the coral reef grow faster.

Importance of the Coral Reef Stimulator

The Lotus is a particularly important invention because the coral reefs are extremely endangered. They play an important role in the ecosystems of the planet, maintaining key relationships with the mangroves and all the marine creatures living in the ocean. Indeed, they act as a key feeding and breeding ground for most fish in the world, especially those in tropical waters, where coral reefs are most prominent. They are threatened primarily by human beings through climate change, devastating fishing practices and careless scuba divers.

Effects of the Coral Reef Stimulator

While stimulating coral reef growth on just one island in the Maldives will do little to change the overall condition of the world’s reef systems, this is an important discovery and could lead to many more coral reefs around the world being regenerated.

Maldives Triggerfish

Maldives Triggerfish

Triggerfish are some of the most popular fish to be spotted around coral reefs around the world. The Maldives are no exception.

Triggerfish Appearance

The triggerfish can become quite a large fish, sometimes up to 3 feet in length. They travel in groups, and are characterised by their green scales covered in spots or stripes. They are an attractive fish, usually very popular with snorkelers and scuba divers. They have a fairly flat body and two dorsal spines which they can lock, giving them their name “trigger” fish. They use this ability as a defense mechanism against their predators.

Triggerfish Activity and Behaviour

The triggerfish is a generally solitary fish, swimming around the reef feeding on small invertebrates that live around the coral reef. During their breeding season, the triggerfish hides their eggs in a hole and can become quite aggressive in order to protect their eggs. Their have been cases of a triggerfish attacking scuba divers and snorkelers and because some of them have big teeth, these attacks can draw blood, although are unlikely to result in any serious injury.

Triggerfish Species

There are several different kinds of triggerfish, all of which are different in appearance. Species present in the Maldives include the Titan Triggerfish, the Clown Triggerfish and the Picasso Triggerfish. The Picasso Triggerfish is probably the most spectacular of the varieties, thanks to his stunning black, white and yellow markings.

Where to find Triggerfish in the Maldives

While Triggerfish are very commonly spotted in the Maldives, there are several dive sites where encounters are more common than others. These include: The Fihalhohi Reef, Meeru Island and Ari Atoll.

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