The Beach House Maldives Integrates With The Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts

The first ever property of the Waldorf Astoria in the Asia Pacific could be found nowhere else, but in the Maldives

Effective since March 1st, 2010, The Beach House Maldives was renamed “The Beach House Maldives, The Waldorf Astoria Collection”. The Beach House Maldives has affiliated with legendary Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts. And in celebration to the newly upgraded resort’s debut, guests from different parts of the world were invited to join its inauguration ceremony and became part in a chapter of the resort’s exclusive history.

Located in the refined, lagoon-surrounded Haa Alifu Atoll, the 35-acre resort features 83 Maldivian-style villas, 3 world-class restaurants, 4 bars, and a luxurious spa. And each villa comes with a private pool and butler.

Since July 1, 2009, the Hilton Worldwide Management Team has been in the Maldives, working on key developments as part of the US$ 58 million renovation project – which had gloriously led to the Beach House Maldives in becoming the first Waldorf Astoria property in the Asia Pacific.

“An independently branded hotel since 2007, The Beach House Maldives has built a solid reputation for world-class luxury and quality that epitomises the Waldorf Astoria name,” said Martin Rinck, President of The Hilton Worldwide – Asia Pacific. “The Maldives remains one of the most sought-after luxury leisure destinations in the world, and we are delighted to be able to offer our guests the unique experience of Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts on the beautifully private and breathtaking island of Manafaru”.

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.

Mumbai’s Parth, World’s Youngest Scuba Diver

Parth Sanghvi of Mumbai is the World’s Youngest Scuba Diver

Mumbai’s Parth Sanghvi broke the world record to be the youngest scuba open water diver this week after he dived 40 feet underwater near Grande Island in Goa, Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) said today.

10-year-old Parth awarded PADI junior open water scuba divers certificate

Anindya Mukherjee, PADI instructor, said that 10-year-old Parth was awarded PADI junior open water scuba divers certificate on February 23, a day after his birthday, at exactly at 7:01 a.m.

The 10-year-old from Mumbai broke the earlier record of Egypt’s Natasha Turner, who had become the youngest diver at the age of 10 years and three days.

“Parth got the certificate at the age of 10 years and one day, which is two days short than Turner,” Mukherjee said.

Accompanied by his father, Mehul, a certified diver, Parth jumped off the grande Island near Vasco port town in Goa to break the record. Parth is a fourth standard student of CNM School at suburban Ville Parle in Mumbai.

The boy was trained at Goa Aquatic dive resort at Candolim near here before he jumped in for the world record.

“Parth had his first encounter with scuba at the age of nine years and four months when he went to Phillipines for a holiday with the family,” Mehul told reporters in Mumbai.

“The minimum age of scuba diving is ten years, so he took up the bubble maker course where they teach the basics of scuba diving,” Parth’s father said.

Mehul, who runs an import export business in Mumbai, said that Parth was really inspired by experience, so his parents decided that he starts the course on his tenth birthday.

“Three months before he started his course, Parth studied the open water diver manual by PADI,” he said.

In Indian, Sahil Pisharody of Mumbai, had formerly achieved the record of youngest scuba diver of nation when he dived at the age of 10 years six months, Mehul said.

“It was really amazing world down the water. I saw lot of fishes and a ship wreck too,” Parth said.

His coach, Mukherjee, said that the boy came back with two shells, although it is prohibited to disturb anything underwater.

“He said he wanted to show them to his younger brother, so we allowed it,” the coach added.

Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Celebrates 10th Anniversary

The International SCUBA Diving Hall of Fame is hosting its 10th anniversary awards banquet and induction ceremony Saturday, 30 January, at Pedro St James. Eleven persons will be honoured for their contributions to the growth of SCUBA diving as a sport and for their contributions in the fields of dive travel, entertainment, art, equipment design and development, education, exploration and adventure.

Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Founded in 2000

Founded in 2000 by the Ministry of Tourism, the Cayman Islands is home to the ISDHF, created to establish a link between the Cayman Islands, a premiere diving destination, and diving enthusiasts worldwide who have made significant contributions to the recreational SCUBA diving industry.

New Members of Scuba Diving Hall of Fame

The 2010 inductees are Dr Eugenie Clark, known affectionately as the “shark lady,” a world-renowned ichthyologist and authority on sharks; Benoit Rouquayrol, who developed, patented and manufactured a self-contained breathing apparatus that became the first production SCUBA diving system; Wyland, a marine life artist and leading advocate for marine resource conservation; Nick Icorn, a diving pioneer regarded as the “keeper of the flame” for preserving diving’s illustrious history through his collection of representative samples of diving gear; Professor Louis Boutan, the first diver to take underwater photos; Francis Toribiong, who started the first dive operation in Palau and discovered the Blue Corner, one of the most famous dive sites in the world; Henry Albert Fleuss, who produced the first practical and successful closed-circuit breathing apparatus; Commandant Yves Le Prieur, who co-founded the world’s first recreational SCUBA diving club in 1935; and Auguste Denayrouze, who worked with the inventor Benoit Rouquayrol to develop and manufacture the self-contained breathing apparatus, and successfully marketed it internationally.

The early pioneer awards for Professor Louis Boutan, Henry Albert Fleuss, Commandant Yves Le Prieur, Benoit Rouquayrol and Auguste Denayrouze will be given posthumously.

Each year, the Ministry of Tourism also honours Caymanians, paying tribute to the important role they played transforming the Cayman Islands into the premier diving destination that it is today. This year’s local honourees are Charles Ebanks, known locally as Captain Chuckie, and Patrick Noel Evans.

Special guests will be Ron and Valerie Taylor, who filmed the live shark sequences and underwater action footage in film and TV productions including Jaws, Orca and the Blue Lagoon; Sylvia Munro, who received the first early pioneer award on behalf of her father who made the silent movie version of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea in 1915; Dan Orr, President of DAN; and the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment & Tourism for the Palau Islands, Hon. Harry Fritz.

Also at the event on Saturday night, artifacts which have been collected for the planned Hall of Fame building will be displayed, including a customized wet suit from the movie The Daring Game, starring Lloyd Bridges; a circa 1947 La Spirotechnique Cousteau & Gagnan CG 45 regulator, recreational diving’s first production regulator; and a pair of Sea Net wooden diving fins circa late 1940s.

How to Wash Your Scuba Gear

How to Wash Your Scuba Gear

Taking good care of expensive scuba gear is a very important trait that a scuba diver must get accustomed to. An exceptional part of this effort requires you to wash your scuba gear meticulously after a day of diving activity. This ensures that your precious equipment functions safely and at the same time also prolonging its life span.

Scuba Gear Cleaning: Tip 1

You can start by setting up two large tubs, one filled with fresh water and the other one containing water and detergent. You may also use a hose for cleaning your scuba gear. These are basically the necessary preparations for this activity. Make sure that you rinse off sand and dirt before washing your scuba gear.

Scuba Gear Cleaning: Tip 2

Always clean your scuba gear individually as each piece involves a specific methods of care to be undertaken. Let’s begin with the regulator. Now the first rule in cleaning this piece of equipment is to ensure that the dust cap is properly attached. This prevents water from entering the first stage regulator, as it contains internal components sensitive to moisture. With dust cap securely in place, submerge the regulator in fresh water for at least 4-5 minutes. Once done, allow the regulator to dry.

Scuba Gear Cleaning: Tip 3

Next on our laundry list is the BCD. Start by soaking the BCD in water, shaking it up and down to wash away saltwater and dry salt crystals. Once the outer part is clean, proceed by washing its inner portion. Push down the deflate button of the low pressure inflator and use a hose to pour fresh water into the exhaust valve. Let the water flow in the bladder until it is about one quarter full then shake the BCD around until thoroughly cleaned. After doing this, empty the bladder and allow it to dry. Now you’re done cleaning the BCD, move on to washing your other scuba gear.

Scuba Gear Cleaning: Tip 4

Washing the remaining pieces of your scuba gear are much easier than the previous tasks. Some of the other items remaining on the list are your fins, mask, and snorkel. Clean these items simply by submerging them in a tub of fresh water while dunking the scuba gear up and down. Once done, hang the scuba gear and allow it to dry.

Scuba Gear Cleaning: Tip 5

Lastly, wrap up your scuba gear laundry session by cleaning your wetsuit, boots, and gloves. They should also be washed in fresh water, but it is also ideal to use a specialized detergent available in many supply stores. Make sure you also have a strong hanger for your wetsuit. Again, hang the scuba gear you just washed and allow them to dry.

PADI Open Water Diver Certification

PADI Open Water Diver Course

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the basic scuba diving certification. It is available at all PADI certification agencies.   The course must cover a standard set of basic skills and knowledge. Naturally, scuba diving training may differ from agency to agency but the end result is the same.

People aged between 10 and 15 years can take the Junior Open Water course and those 15 years and above can take the full Open Water Course. Any Junior Open Water certified child will automatically be a certified Open Water Diver on this 15th birthday and no recertification will be necessary. All divers need to be in good health with no major health problems.

An Open Water Diver is able to dive to depths of 60 feet or 18 meters. Until this depth the Open Water Diver  is not required to be accompanied by a dive master or instructor. Open Water certification also entitles you to continue with the Advanced Open Water diver and other specialty dive courses.

The Open Water Diver course usually takes 3-5 days if taken at dive vacation sites. Others may choose to learn it part time which may take weeks or months. During the course, the aspiring diver will be subjected to knowledge development classes which will teach basic diving techniques, how diving affects your body, safety, equipment selection and maintenance, dive planning and a preview of the skills you will need in the water. An exam is given to make sure the diver is ready to begin training in the water.

Next on the list is confined water training which is basically diving in a controlled environment like a pool or shallow, sheltered ocean water. What’s important is the water is shallow enough to stand up for your safety, so that you can develop confidence in learning all the basic skills you’ll need to enjoy scuba diving safely. Gradually you can move to deeper waters for advanced skills and safety drills.

Open water training is a great experience.  This is the real thing.   No more simulations and pools just your team, instructor and the open waters. This is the time to practice your skills with the instructor so much so that you gain the confidence to perform them with ease in real diving situations. Let us not forget that while learning you will be able to appreciate what the underwater world has to offer and maybe develop a lifetime love for scuba diving.

Once you have passed all requirements you will be declared a certified Open Water Diver. This certification lasts forever and does not need to be renewed. Although it is recommended that you take a scuba review before diving if you haven’t dived for a year or so. The scuba review is a short refresher course with a professional.  The main objective is to help you keep your skills in check.

Fotteyo Kandu Dive Site

Fotteyo Kandu Dive Site

Many scuba divers consider Fotteyo Kandu as the best dive site in Maldives. It is also included in the top 5 dive sites in the world. During the northeast monsoon season when the currents are incoming, a good variety of fish species gather at the channel’s entrance. These species include the grey reef shark (which patrols the channel mouth), Jacks and Tuna. In the deeper water divers will see schools of midnight and red snappers form huge groups. The wall consists of caves and overhangs which are filled with colourful corals. The best place to make your safety stop is in the middle of the channel entrance. Like many dive sites in the Maldives, a surface balloon is a must at Fotteyo Kandu.

At Fotteyo Kandu, there is a Thila inside the channel with 2 narrow sandy channels on either side. These channels are occupied by the titan triggerfish and are used as a mating ground. Beware of this fish and don’t get close to them if they start to behave strangely, they can be quite aggressive.

Fotteyo Kandu is also known for its early morning hammerhead shark dive. This dive is performed very differently from the day dives at Fotteyo Kandu. Early in the morning, scallop hammerheads rise from deep waters to the shallower depths and divers will be able to get a glimpse of them.

Find out more about Fotteyo Kandu here.

Okobe Thila Dive Site

Okobe Thila

Okobe Thila is found in the North Male Atoll, and is considered to be one of the most uniquely shaped thilas in the area. Comprised of three large coral heads, the abounding marine life includes Eagle Rays, Jacks, Tuna, Napoleon Wrasse and Bannerfish. Given the strength of the current, divers may zigzag from one coral head to the other while observing the fish life. As always, planning for a safety spot and surface balloons are a must.

For more information, diving tips, GPS points and photos of Okobe Thila, visit this Okobe Thila information page.

Maldives Victory Wreck

Maldives Victory Wreck Dive Site

The Maldives Victory Wreck is a gorgeous dive site, but must be approached with precaution. Spanning a length of 110 meters and a depth of 35 meters, divers are advised to plan their dive with an adequate air supply. Plans should also made to allow divers to complete the entire dive safely as well as to return to the mooring lines attached to the buoy. Additional dangers at Maldives Victory Wreck come in the form of sharm jagged seashells and urticating hydroids that surround the dive site.  Jagged fragments of metal protruding from the wreck also present a source of injury for divers. A buoy is present to mark the site of the Maldives Victory Wreck’s mast, to which is attached a descent and ascent line. Divers may use this to swim from the mast to the bow following the superstructure and back to the stern. Classified as an advanced dive site, the Maldives Victory Wreck should be approached with caution, planning and experience.  When careful planning and caution are implemented, Maldives Victory Wreck is an extremely rewarding dive site.

For more information about the Maldives Victory Wreck, visit this dive site information page.

Madivaru Rangali Dive Site

Madivaru Rangali Dive Site

Madivaru derives its unique name from the local language of the Maldives, Madi standing for the word “Ray.” Manta Rays abound in this area during the North East Monsoon, and are a beautiful spectacle to behold. Although there are many cleaning stations along this reef, the point where Manta Rays are most active is halfway along the northern side. With the coral reef sloping down gently from its highest point at 8 meters to the atoll floor at about 30 meters, safety precautions are always a must. With the current being strong at times, safety precaution plans should include safety spots as well as surface balloons.

For more information, maps and diving hints for Rangali Madivaru, visit this Madivaru information page.

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