To lovers of sandy beaches and luxurious living, the Maldives is the ideal holiday destination as its expensive resorts offer the best in standards of hospitality and the unspoiled white sand beaches of this island archipelago are both unmatched and uninhabited. There are thousands of diving sites off the shoreline of the island archipelago. The wide variety of marine life and the impressive coral formations are its main attractions.
In recent times, Night Diving, a unique twist on regular scuba diving has come to the fore here. It combines the sheer wonder of immersing oneself in the seawater and the adventure of plunging into a deep dark abyss. More than 700 species of fish can be found in these waters such as triggerfish, clownfish and even the grey reef sharks. Though the name may sound imposing, reef sharks are largely harmless and are not afraid of scuba divers.
Several areas where a large diversity of marine life can be found are known as thilas and are submerged reefs that can be found close to the coastline. In addition to the fish, interesting species of marine plants, starfish and crustaceans can also be seen in abundance. The excitement of night diving lies in the reduced visibility. During the day the tropical sunlight permeates these waters and visibility is at an optimum. This is in stark contrast to what happens at night: a diver’s range of vision is limited to the illumination given by a battery powered torch, the beam of light cuts through the murky water allowing divers to follow a fish that catches their fancy.
Night diving is not for beginners, however; therefore novices are advised to familiarize themselves with the scuba equipment and gain experience on a few regular dives before making an attempt. Friendly diving instructors can be found in many Maldives luxury resorts. Travellers must take the plunge while they are here, as this country offers the best possible scuba diving and snorkelling in the region. A villa in Maldives such as the Nalandhu Maldives offers some of the best accommodation and travel options for guests who wish to experience the country’s undersea wonders.
