Maldives Natural Attractions

Maldives Natural Attractions

Maldives Natural Attractions | Maldives is a gorgeous destination and a tropical paradise found in the Indian Ocean to the Southern side of Sri Lanka, Maldives is made up of islands categorized as natural atolls with most of them being uninhabited.

Maldives is popularly known across the globe for its pristine white sandy beaches, blooming reef fishes, crystalline, lagoons, palm-fringed islands and lavish water villas

Maldives is endowed with numerous natural attractions fitting the taste of various tourists to appreciate, there are a never – ending array of secrets to discover both above and below the water.

Natural attractions in the Maldives vary in size and stature, thrill and excitement level and unmatched possibilities to appreciate the local flora and fauna on the island.

Maldives is more than just a perfect beach holiday, there is more astonishing discoveries and once – in- a lifetime experiences.

Here is a list to natural activities in the Maldives.

PARKS AND NATURE RESERVES

The government of Maldives gives utmost importance to conservation of the environment and has been working tirelessly to create special zones, bio-reserves and parks to protect its prolific wildlife even further.

ADDU PARK

Addu Park is a new addition to the Maldives list of natural attractions, the park highlights the diversity of the region’s ecosystem found above the ground. The park can be visited a day cycle trip through the wetlands, canoe though red mangroves, relax by the lake, take informative guided tours and bask in the tranquility of the surroundings.

BAA ATOLL

Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is one of the most critical aquatic regions in the world hosting bountiful groups of coral reefs and a rich and colorful oceanic life. The Atoll is protected against commercial activity, the Atoll has become a popular diving site providing some of the planet’s engaging underwater views.

SUNKEN SHIPS AND WRECK DIVING

Maldives is a paradise for divers, the archipelago is home to several shipwrecks and several purposely sunken boats; These vessels are often decades old and they form a distinct underwater environment that helps preserve aquatic life while providing scuba divers with a captivating excursion.

Wreck diving is becoming a popular spot, there are plenty of sites to visit across the Maldivian Islands, many resorts and tour operators thus organizing regular trips to facilitate this growing demand.

Some of the best wrecks dives in the Maldives worth exploring are

BRITISH LOYALTY

An oil-tanker torpedoed by a German U-boat towards the end of World War II, British Loyalty makes for a fascinating wreck dive especially since holes in the ship allow divers to go inside.

The ship Wreck lies at a depth of 33 m and it is primary dive excursions in Addu Atoll.

HTK17A Diver near British Loyalty shipwreck, overgrown with corals, Addu Atoll also Senu Atoll, Indian Ocean, Maldives

KUDHIMAA

The Kudhimaa is located in the South Ari Atoll near the island of Machafushi Kudhimaa, this ship wreck is Japanese boat sunk in 1998. The wreck goes down to a depth of 30 meters making it ideal for intermediary divers.

At this point you will spot many marine life such as lionfish, pufferfish, sponges and batfish which are in plentiful. The boat hosts occasional whale shark.

THE SHIPYARD

The Shipyard is a spectacular diving spot in Lhayiyani Atoll, the Shipyard is called-so for having two wrecks that is Skipjack 1 and 2. Divers exploring this site can expect to come across various marine creatures including damsels, glassfish, butterflyfish, emperor angelfish, and stingrays.

 MALDIVES VICTORY

This site is situated close to Hulhule Airport Island in North Male Atoll, this wreck is a Singaporean vessel that went under in 1981 and it is now home to turtles, bannerfish, eels, pipefish, hawkfish and a fair amount of coral.

MANTAS AND SHARKS

Travelers on a holiday in the Maldives have the privilege to view diverse aquatic life while scuba diving, snorkeling and from above the water during a boat ride from one island to another. Maldives hosts numerous species to explore in the water and most species to lookout for include Manta Rays and Sharks.

 Manta Rays

Baa Atoll is an excellent location to view and swim with Manta rays, this Atoll has snorkeling only spots such as Hanifaru Bay or HorubadhooThila used by a cleaning station. This area witnesses an increase in the Manta ray population between June and November when they come here to feed on zooplankton.

Also, you can come across many whale sharks during the period between June and November.

Adull Atoll is the another significant yet less visited by tourists for diving with Mantas all year round. The southern most Atoll in the Maldives has many scuba diving spots which are suitable for every type of diver.

Sharks

The South Ari Atoll is a perfect destination for drivers who want to Swim with whale sharks, gentle plankton – eating creatures who are also the largest fish in the world, the grey tip and white tip reef sharks are also common in the archipelago and visitors can often come across them while snorkeling.

The Hammerhead Point is an outing meant for only experienced divers, this trip in Rasdhoo Atoll typically commences early in the morning and is an exceptional opportunity to be a part of the hammerhead shark’s natural habitat.

BIOLUMINESCENT BEACHES

Watching the water light up in a twinkling shade of bright blue is a magical experience to have in the Maldives, this natural phenomenon is most visible between the summer months of June to October. The bioluminescence is light emitted by plankton as they come ashore along with the waves, however, tourists the Maldives during the peak season of December to March can occasionally come across this natural attraction.

The Maldives is one of the only six places in the world to witness this natural spectacle regularly, there is no specific time and place to this phenomenon which adds a hint of mystery and excitement for those who are lucky enough to catch it.

The beaches on of Vaadhoo Island in Raa Atoll is famous for hosting this spectacle famously known as “Sea of Stars”, this is best seen on moonless night, one should move towards a dark part of the beach to appreciate the marvel in its full effect.

Underwater Restaurants

Though Underwater restaurants in the Maldives are not technically by natural attractions but they are fascinating humanmade structures that offer an out of this world adventure. There are presently six underwater restaurants in the Maldives namely

• 8 Underseas
• Ithaa, SubSix
• H2O, M6m
• Sea,

These restaurants are found across the islands and located in different resorts.

These resorts offer visitors a chance to feast on gourmet food, these novelty dining spaces exude intimacy and act as an ideal destination to admire the vibrant marine life in the Maldives in an exclusive setting.