Hulhumalé – The Liveaboard Launchpad

Wherever you want to go in a liveaboard, most journeys begin on the aquamarine blue lagoon of Hulhumalé. It’s very hard to believe that this beautiful island isn’t natural, but manmade, down to every single tree planted all over the island.

 

In 1997, after much deliberation and drawing of several master plans, Hulhumalé started to take shape as a mound of sand dredged out of the Hulhulé Farukolhufushi lagoon. Where there were just two islands – the airport and the Farukolhufushi Island, which was developed as a resort – there now are three.

This wasn’t just a whimsical development. Malé, the capital island had been gathering population from all corners of the country steadily over the past decades, and desperately needed to grow, beyond the limits to which it had already expanded by reclaiming land from the small lagoon around the island.

Hulhumalé, just 20 minutes away by ferry and 5 minutes by speed boat, was the best solution, after Vilingili to the west, which had already reached saturation. Now, 15 years later, the phase one of the expansion has come to an end. Although most of the policies that govern the development of the island has changed over the years, the main idea is for Malé city to become the pride and joy of the island nation.

Hulhumalé, along with the Gulhifalhu “Eye of the Maldives” Project, is a major part of the Urban Development Program unveiled in late 2010, which involves connecting the capital municipalities with a bridge.

 

Liveaboard life…

Your arrival into the Maldives will give you a glimpse of Hulhumalé, as it is adjacent to the runway of the international airport. You can either hop onto a ferry to Malé and take the Hulhumalé shuttle from there, or take the bus or a taxi to Hulhumalé, which will travel via the causeway that connects both islands. The latter is of course less stressful especially if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage.

Depending on your itinerary or the company you chose to arrange your vacation with, you will either be lodged at one of the beachside inns on the eastern edge of the island or taken directly to your safari vessel. If it’s the former, you’ll wait for your vessel to be ready while spending a couple of days acclimatizing to the Maldivian weather while hitting the white sandy beaches of Hulhumalé and visiting the capital island for some sightseeing and shopping for any essentials that you may have forgotten, like sunscreen, swimsuits or dive gear.

Hulhumalé has several cafés and department stores where you can look for munchies for your trip around the islands on the safari. The lagoon of Hulhumalé is on the western edge of the island, where you can see dozens of safari vessels moored. Dinghies drop and fetch visitors at the jetty, which is also a stone’s throw from the Hulhumalé ferry terminal from where ferries leave to Malé island.

There are a couple of dive schools on Hulhumalé, who take travelers on day trips to nearby dive spots, but as your safari of the Maldives involves extensive diving, these schools can be helpful if you’re new to the Maldives and can’t wait for the dive cruise to begin.

While there aren’t plans to develop the lagoon as a marina just yet – most probably because during rough weather, the lagoon gets a bit choppy – there definitely will be a marina at Gulhifalhu.

 

 

So what’s the deal about Hulhumalé?

Hulhumalé is in stark contrast with every other island of the Maldivian Archipelago. Nowhere else are the roads paved with asphalt, for one thing. The roads are quite regularly spaced, and are wide and well thought out with parking spaces at intervals: something that Malé island desperately needs.

The contrast becomes even more evident when you visit Malé. Pavements are so narrow that people walk single file, that is, until it suddenly vanishes! There’s neither rhyme nor reason to the urban sprawl of Malé, stopped only by the very edge of the house reef that was filled up in the 90’s.

Hulhumalé – The Liveaboard Launchpad is a post from: Maldives Blog

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Novice Diver in the Maldives?

You had fallen into the trap of being goaded into taking some diving lessons, and the next thing you know, bam! You’re on a trip to the Maldives to snorkel in Hanifaru Bay, in a fit of excitement to check out the surreal beauty of the archipelago. But what if halfway, your confidence falls through?

 

The sight of Maldives when you’re coming in to land at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Malé can be astoundingly beautiful and for a select few, terrifying. The beauty is of course, the near miraculous outlines of the Atolls fringed by aqua lagoons and tiny patches of white and green islands, not unlike omelets sunny side up. These atolls were once a series of mountains, or even volcanoes, worn down to sea level over the course of millions of years, way before human beings have ever walked on the planet.

And if you’re in the latter bunch, who clutch at their seat upon the sight of the archipelago, yes, some of the dive spots in the Maldives needs experience, but don’t worry, there are plenty of places where you can go diving, or even snorkeling, with proper guidance.

 

 

Getting to know Maldives, underwater

One of the easiest ways to get used to diving, without all the paraphernalia at the beginning is to go free diving with just a snorkel, mask and fins. Free diving lets you get used to what you’ll be seeing and feeling, without the apprehension of all the complicated procedures, and the ever constant worry of getting the “bends” or decompression sickness.

No matter how deep you dive on a free dive and how fast you surface, you’ll never get the bends, because there are no additional gasses in your circulatory system other than what you had in your lungs to begin with. Of course, there’s no better feeling than to swim up and break the surface of the water like a dolphin while free diving… something I learnt you can’t do while diving.

I had loved the experience of going snorkeling around the house reef of Horubadhoo Island. Sloping off towards the sea on the southeastern side was a field of living branching coral, and about 30 feet below were small grottos where pipefish hid in anxious worry that I might be intruding upon their homesteads. Off in the distance was a line of lobsters marching off to some imaginary, yet epic battle.

Well, diving in the Maldives is quite unlike anywhere else in the world, simply because of the astounding clarity of the sea. While tidal action can vary between seasons and the phase of the moon, strong currents around unusual reefs are often the main cause of aborted dives.

Most dive masters around here will take you on drift dives as it’s easier and gives you a lot more time to look at the flora and fauna. As the atoll structure causes the ocean to flood into the atoll when the high tide comes in, it’s generally safer to dive during then, rather than right after high tide as you might get swept out into the ocean.

 

 

So what should you expect, after Hanifaru?

Hanifaru, now accessible only for snorkelers after being declared a protected area, is a great place to get in touch with Maldivian waters and getting acquainted with megafauna. Believe me, after you see the gentle giants of the sea – whale sharks – and gigantic manta rays who all feed on plankton, there will be little else to surprise you, size wise.

Dive spots around the Hanifaru region are many, with nearly every channel into the atoll as interesting and unique as the other. However, channels can get a little difficult, so culling the list down to the easy spots, you could check out the following:

Maaddoo Giri is one, where you can see a few transparent pipefish and black coral. A few pink corals would be nothing compared to the gigantic tubelike structure that you can explore. Rising up vertically from a depth of 20 meters to almost 10 feet to the surface, you might get lucky and spot anglerfish around here.

Towards the northern chunk of southern Baa Atoll, the Voavah dive spot is a spectacular location that’s an easy night dive. Fishwatchers will be thrilled with the extensive varieties of gobies in the western sea of this uninhabited island. Anemone-like structures can be seen in abundance on the reef, and on the seaward side, you’ll see butterflyfish, red bass and blue-striped snappers, while on the sandy sea floors and near seaweed, you’ll see plenty of white spotted razorfish.

 

Another spot for easy nighttime dives is the Landaa Giraavaru Lagoon, where your safari boats can drop you off near the island onto an undersea sand slope that is quite close to a coral reef that rises to about 7 feet below sea level.

Entire schools of catfish, cardinalfish, fusilier and butterflyfish can be seen, along with snappers, on the slope which is colonized by sand gobies, and sponge reef gobies hiding under fan sponges.

Such wealth of marine fauna can also be seen along the reef of Kamadhoo island, where the coral reef is brilliantly fluorescent in ultraviolet light during daylight, and hiding amongst it are blue and clown triggerfish wrasse, basslet and hawkfish. Shrimps can be seen amongst and on sea whips here, and you’ll find it greatly soothing that the currents aren’t as strong as you may experience in other dives.

It’s very unlikely that you will come to harm in any of these areas, and you will find your confidence in diving growing after these visiting these spots. Always follow the buddy system protocol and seek the advice of your dive master before and after dives.

While the before dive advice will often include not indulging in alcohol, the after dive advice is particularly important. If you’d been diving continuously, it may be necessary that you do a few shallower dives towards the tag end of your vacation and have at least 24 hours above the sea before you get on an airplane.

Of course, you’ll be coming back… after all, once you see the Maldives the way it’s meant to be seen, there’s very few other places on Earth you’ll want to dive at.

Discover Hanifaru bay Maldives dive Travel 

Check out our amazing offer ! Manta Madness and Whale Shark Action in Hanifaru Bay – Baa Atoll. stay seven and pay FIVE nights. Click here for more details

Novice Diver in the Maldives? is a post from: Maldives Blog

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Maldives as a Surf Destination

For decades, Maldives has always been a well-known place to have a wonderful vacation for divers. But what about all those folks who love surfing?

 

It all began with Antony Hinde, who taught the Maldivians the thrills of surfing. Stranded in a shipwreck on their way to Réunion Island in 1973, he and Mark Scanlon, both Australian, are known as the founders of the Maldivian Tourism Industry back then.

Known as the Father of Surfing in the Maldives, he was instrumental in bringing about modern surfing techniques into the Maldivian repertoire of using planks.

Although now you have many options to experience the ocean, like either staying in a resort all your trip, or going on a cruise around the islands on a safari boat, or even a combination of the two, or just trusting your luck at finding a great experience with just your backpack, the best idea still is island hopping, where you discover not only the subtle variations of every Maldivian village, but also the great surf in every island.

 

What to expect in the Maldivian Surf Scene

The warm equatorial climate and the high humidity all year round mean you’ll need nothing much except short fins, your surfboard and shorts! Having the best breakers during the monsoon season around September and October, the rest of the year waxes and wanes around this maximum, giving an opportunity for the less experienced surfers to improve on their game for the next peak.

It’s also interesting to note that the surf points in atolls other than Malé atoll get a bigger bunch of visitors from February to April, mainly due to the increase in consistent wave activity in the other atolls. People say that the surf season is quite similar to that of Indonesia, with off-shore conditions and waves of 3 – 8 feet height.

While these waves may not be as formidable as the ones in Tahiti or Mentawai’s, it can be challenging as the reef breaks can be quite a bit difficult to maneuver.

You might want to consider chartering a vessel, if you’re planning a holiday during the off-peak season. Some safaris are specialized in diving and some in surfing, while others are mostly about fishing, so make sure you know which one that you’re mostly interested in and make the right choice.

Most of the equipment can be rented here, but most surfers choose to bring their own stuff. A normal short-board, a mid-range gun, a long sleeve rash guard for sun protection if you burn easily, and a helmet are all important items that must be in your kit, and neoprene booties are crucial due to the sharp coral in every surf point in the Maldives.

 

 

Some popular surfing locations in the Maldives

While most of the surf points in the Malé region can be accessed via speed boat rides at the most 40 minutes long, the Atolls of Meemu,Thaa and Laamu are usually accessible via resorts or charter operators. These atolls have the capacity to turn out the longest swell periods as it sits between the northern and southern atolls of the archipelago. Exploring these atolls on a surf cruiser will be the best option, as most of the secret locations having the best surf are known only to a handful of people.

The following surf points are all reef breakers, and caution is advised even for advanced surfers as surfing in these waters can lead to injury if one takes too many risks.

Pasta Point: Tony Hussein-Hinde set up shop in this area. Named for the fact that the location used to be an Italian resort, the surf point gives perfect lefts. Unaffected by wind, the surf picks up the most swell and has a 300 yard tubing wall for pull ins, called the Macaroni Bowl before it comes into the shallows called, “Lockjaws”.

Beacons, in Gaafu Dhaalu, is an exposed reef break. If you have a northerly breeze, the consistent right handers can give you hours of entertainment, if you watch out for the reef and the currents, and if not too crowded. Beacons give you great breakers in every tide.

 

 

Meanwhile, in higher tides, Chickens is a good left hander that’s quite fast and can get hollow if it’s a wave from the south. Chickens is at Villingilimathi Huraa and is best if you visit on a charter vessel.

Cokes is a right hand reef break on the east of Thulusdhu Island. You can experience the big wave tube, but the rides are short albeit intense. You’ll have consistent waves from mid to high tides, and maybe not worth the wait at low tide, even though big swells wash up from time to time. These high frequency waves are usually best for experienced surfers.

Honkey’s is a great surf point for surfers at every experience level. This left hander is on the same reef as another surf point, the Sultans. Unfortunately, it also gets quite crowded at times, but is made up by (and also probably because of) the fact that it is quite easy to access this surf point.

Backpackers and tourists alike love the surf scene in the Maldives, where a number of international surfing competitions have been held in the past years. Professional equipments are available at several sporting shops in the capital city as well as many of the resorts in the Maldives.

Maldives as a Surf Destination is a post from: Maldives Blog

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The Maldivian countryside – Diving in Contentment

If you felt that going to a resort or on a cruise near the center of a country – its capital city – would involve being in the busy rush that accompanies civilization, you must check out the remote areas of the Maldives, at the North and the South.

You wouldn’t want to have to be with large groups of people on your vacation, especially if you’d spent a significant time planning it and spending on it. While diving is never a solitary sport, you still can choose to be with as few people as possible, if you book a safari boat with your buddies, or a guest house.

But what if you’d really rather go off the beaten path? In the Maldives, we don’t really have paths, but rather, places that attract people in droves. Ever since Hanifaru Bay became a protected area, everyone’s been raving about the whales sharks and the manta rays that congregate in the bay.

Yet the adventurer always seeks out the new.

 

Rural Maldives, above and below sea level

Travelling to atolls north of Baa and Lhavivani usually gets you away from the hubbub, and into a time and place that is extraordinarily conserved, when judging by the fact that the rest of the country is rushing into the modern era. The marine diversity is amazing and very raw, and is perfect for divers who love exploring new places.

One has fewer encounters with whales sharks and mantas in this region, and dives can be a bit tricky, considering the stronger currents and larger geography. Many famous wrecks are located in this area, and most have run aground on the Maamakunudhoo Atoll, which is enroute to Bengal, in the way of ancient sailors.

Also known as the Malcolm Atoll in the British Admiralty Charts, Maamakunudhoo Atoll is grouped with the Haa Atoll, which also probably is the largest atoll on Earth of this kind.

Chances are that you might actually run across these wrecks, like the Persia Merchant that ran aground in the 17th century, and the Hayston and the George Reid dated in the 19th century. However, it’s important to note that the steep edges of the reef and the violent surf around the Maamakunudhoo Atoll swept away much of the wreckage within hours, but you might just be lucky enough to find some of it strewn across the floor of the lagoon.

 

 

In the opposite direction, towards the south… 

You might be a little disappointed when diving in the southernmost atoll of the Maldives, the Addu Atoll, if you expect to see a lot of reef fish. Others, who love wrecks and larger marine animals would be delighted though, with the profusion of white tip and grey sharks, turtles and other pelagics. The four seas of Addu ae known as the Gan Kandu, the Viligili Kandu, the Maa Kandu and Kuda Kandu. The channels into the heart-shaped atoll have few caves, and the currents are relatively strong due to the fact that Addu is almost a full enclosure from the ocean around it.

There are many dive points in the area, and two of the noteworthy resorts in the region have regular trips. Near Herathera Island, know known as Amari Addu Maldives Resort, the dive spot called Las Pueblas is a place to come across turtles and barracuda. But what’s most interesting about this dive spot is that it’s also named after the cliff cities of the south western native Americans, as the reef has a steep wall containing many small caves. The reef edge of Herathera Island is at a depth of 20 meters and drops 55 meters to a sand plateau.

 

 

If you’re in the mood for a slow drift dive, you can opt for the Maa Kandu Beyru dive spot. Great for novice divers, this dive offers sights of beautiful table and brain corals, and school of fusilier, eagle rays, turtles and glimpses of manta rays make this a memorable dive.

For the more daring,  Shark Point proves to be a suitable choice. On the north east tip of the atoll, on the outer side of Hulhumeedhoo island, the outside reef drops from 5 to 30 meters to a sand plateau, 30 meters wide. Here you’ll find a rather interesting congregation of sharks, where about 15 white-tip sharks or 5 grey sharks can be found at any given time. Beyond the plateau, towards the open ocean, the reef drops to more than 60 meters in depth, and on days when the waters are clear, you can see big sharks swimming in the deep blue below.

Indeed, even if you’re tired of diving, Addu and the northern Haa atoll are still interesting places to be. In the North you’ll find the well preserved Utheemu Palace, which is the birthplace of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, a national hero. In the south, the lovely causeway that connects 4 islands together is a great drive en route a tour to visit the remains of the British battery built early in the Second World War, in Hithadhoo, after you’ve seen the British War Memorial at Gan Island.

 

The Maldivian countryside – Diving in Contentment is a post from: Maldives Blog

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What to expect in a dive safari in the Maldives.

Planning a trip to the Maldivian Archipelago for a dive vacation can be fun. Here’s a few pointers for the newbies out there who want to experience the undersea wonderland of these coral islands.

If you’re new on the scene with dive safaris, you’re in for a few surprises. As you’ll be spending most of your time on or in the sea, you might have already got some preconceptions, from what you’ve read and heard.

Whatever you may heard about meals before diving will be debunked by your captain, chef and dive instructor, who will make sure that you’re in peak condition for your next dive. Diving requires strict focus and concentration, so you should leave the stiff drinks until after the dive, as there could be complications otherwise. Don’t sneak a drink!

Packing a few extras is probably a good idea. Invest in a pair of masks, maybe even two, that seal well around the edges and is comfortable, as it makes a world of difference having to accommodate an ill-fitting mask throughout your dives. A pair of fins that won’t chaff your feet and heels is a good find, and a snorkel that fits snugly in your mouth without biting into your gums, is all you need, as you can rent everything else from the safari.

If you’re still unsure about diving and prefer snorkeling instead, only because it sounds expensive, you need to clear up that misconception quickly. The PADI license will cost somewhere between $200 to $500, and will last your whole lifetime. You can use it to dive virtually anywhere in the world, not only the tropical seascape of the Maldives, but in caverns, lakes, quarries and so on.

 

 

But what about the Sharks?

Sharks usually don’t hunt humans, unless you venture into their hunting ground, which is something that both your captain and dive instructor will avoid. Besides, sharks wouldn’t approach what it would see as an animal that is quite out of place in the ocean, with flashing lights from cameras and the exhaust of the scuba tanks streaming out!

Your instruction in diving will include the necessary skills such as swimming, and will gently introduce you to the sea, if you’re the type of person who has a fear of the deep blue. It goes without saying that women and men are equally welcome to dive anywhere in the world, with ongoing gender equality drives in every field.

 

 

Dive for your health!

With the exception of a few rules, you’ll find that diving is quite healthy. First one is that you must not change depths too quickly, or you will suffer what diver’s call “the bends”, or decompression sickness. This usually happens if you ascend from deeper water too fast, which causes bubbles to form in your blood. Your instructor will assist you in ascending, and you must always follow his directions.

You also have to watch out for pressure equalization: always equalize your inner ear pressure when ascending or descending. It sounds complicated, but it really is quite simple. Simply pinch your nose and blow gently against your nostrils until you feel your ears pop. You might already know this if you are accustomed to travelling in airplanes, or have visited a hill resort.

If you feel that diving might be too much stress for your body, or have a medical condition, have a quick check with the Divers Alert Network. The non-profit safety organization is affiliated with the Duke University Medical Center, and will inform you of your options, and it usually is a yes, despite your doctor’s recommendations. This is because normally, doctors take a very conservative stance against any sort of exertion. Here in the Maldives, people are actually encouraged to go swimming for a variety of maladies, as the healing properties of the sea salts coupled with the gentle exertion quickly heal many an illness.

 

The effect is compounded when you go deeper, as the pressure and the weight of water displacement makes you gradually work harder. It’s quite like having strength training and cardio training combined, but with the exhilarating sensation of weightlessness and a thrilling marine panorama all around for you to enjoy.

Diving can be a fun experience for someone who hasn’t done it before. But it isn’t all about going on a brand new adventure. There are several careers that involve diving, like cinematographers that specialize in underwater filming, a career in marine biology which will lead to a better understanding of the Earth’s ecosystems, or even practical applications like saving someone’s life in a search and rescue mission, or becoming a diving instructor yourself, all of which are quite lucrative jobs that lets you wander freely through the world and doesn’t tie you to a desk!

 

What to expect in a dive safari in the Maldives. is a post from: Maldives Blog

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Watersports in the Maldives – A world of water to enjoy

Thought that diving and bathing in the sea were the only things to do in the remote islands of the Maldives? Think again! Choose from a plethora of sports that is as varied in the exertion required, as the amount of adrenaline that will be pumped into your system!

 

The Maldives has always been one of the best places in the world to go diving. After all, the location of the archipelago that consists almost only of coral reef islands is in the warmest ocean on Earth, the Indian Ocean, which is an important fact to note for divers as they can be a little bit more comfortable in the depths of the seas.

Although the difference is slight, the amount of time one can spend underwater is greatly enhanced. In fact, the summery warmness of the atmosphere is a lovely feeling after a dive. What do you do though, if after all your careful planning, nature conspires against you with lower visibilities or you just don’t feel like going back into the water again? And what about your family, what if there aren’t people holding a diver’s license?

For adults and children alike, most of the liveaboards, guest houses and even some of the inhabited islands have sports that will keep you engaged and thrilled. Indulge in the extensive selection of water sports available during your holiday.

Most of these activities are extras that will be charged in your final bill, while others are included in your holiday package. Activities like Catamaran Sailing, Windsurfing, Canoeing and Kite Surfing can be done in the shallow lagoons that surround most of the islands and are usually for those who love to enjoy every single moment of their lives… extreme sports.

After all, what can be more exhilarating than harnessing the pure power of nature and one’s body, and being immersed in the elements all day long, before a wonderful winding down in a spa or just relaxing by a bonfire barbecue at an isolated beach?

There are things to consider of course, like proper skin care. Most travelers forget that the sun in the equator can be far harsher than above the tropics, and suffer painful sunburns that can usually be avoided by spending just a few moments beforehand applying some sun protection. There are many strengths and waterproofing available; anyone planning to be in rushing brine should look up the stronger waterproofing.

 

Power Sports

Involving a motorized vehicle, power sports usually are driving at the very edge of extreme. Water skiing, wake boarding and knee boarding are for just one person at a time, while Fun Tubes and a Banana Boat ride can take more people. All of these sports are designed to use either a larger, more powerful speed boat, but usually a jet ski will be adequate in calm waters. Fun Tubes are like a gigantic life saver with handles that you can hang onto while the tube is dragged though the sea and the waves by a speed boat. These can usually accommodate up to 4 riders.

Also known as a water sled, a Banana Boats are inflatable recreational dinghies meant that are towed. Seating from three to ten riders, these boats are meant for the riders to sit on a larger, main tube and resting their feet on two adjoining tubes which also function as pontoons that stabilize the larger tube. The boat owes its name to the design, as the larger tube is usually yellow and shaped like a banana. One of the main objectives of the ride is to cling on as hard as you can, as the driver of the speed boat will attempt to capsize the banana by doing sharp turns, so it’s always required that you wear a life jacket.

Prefer to keep dry?

If you would rather not get wet, but still be out exploring the ocean just the same, you can choose to go see the reef, paddling along in a glass bottom boat that lets you see the vibrant sea life below, while keeping you relatively dry above.

If you want to guarantee dryness, why not choose to go for a Dolphin Safari? You can either go on a speedboat, or a catamaran, and cruise the waves searching for a pod of dolphin on its way into or out of the channel. Watch them spin and dance at the prow of your boat, and if you’re lucky, and the boat is slow enough, you can get so close to them that you can actually touch them!

Of course, there’s Sunset Sailing, Full Moon Sailing or taking a trip around the nearby islands on a Dhoni, which imparts romance and adventure in equal measures, and will keep you in close proximity with the sea while keeping you absolutely dry!

 

 

The choice of many can’t be wrong, right?

Well, what’s popular around in the Maldives these days is the lovely feeling of going snorkeling. Snorkeling is fun for two reasons… it can never get too cold as you’ll be in the warmer waters in the lagoon, and it can never be too dangerous… you can never run out of air, nor will you have problems with decompression, even if you free dive, because whatever gas in your bloodstream will always come back to the lungs.

Surfing is also going to be in season, with the change in the weather that will bring larger breakers to a lot of the famous surf spots, like Beacons, Chickens, Cokes, Lohis, Sultans and even the Raalhugandu to the north of the capital city, Malé.

Indeed, the Maldives is one of the most glorious places on Earth where romance abounds perhaps here, under a coconut palm on the beach, or there, on the sundeck of a safari boat. Maybe you can even re-enact the famous scene in the movie Titanic, by standing at the prow of a dhoni at sunset… one thing’s for sure, you’ll never run out of things to do in the Maldives! Ask us about your favourites activities when you make your booking .

 

Watersports in the Maldives – A world of water to enjoy is a post from: Maldives Blog

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Dhoni Stella – Set sail in the style of a Maldivian Hero

Maldives was liberated from Portuguese invaders in the late 16^th century by Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam, ever since earning him the status of one of the beloved legendary heroes of the country. His epic struggle for freedom has been told and retold countless times, ever since the details of the story had disappeared into the mists of history.

One of the facts is quite clear, believable or not, that Thakurufaanu used to dart in between islands and entire atolls on boat a boat he built himself – The Kalhuoffummi. It is believed that this dhoani – a Maldivian boat – attained incredible speeds even though it was driven by the wind in the sails.

Misty-eyed Maldivian historians and elderly alike still praise the hero for his efforts in what was a short, intense battle when Thakurufaanu and his brothers overthrew André André’s garrison in the capital city, Malé, thus freeing the country in 1573.

 

 

Feeling historical already? Well this is your chance to experience the Maldives like no other has ever done before: Maldives Dive Travel has now acquired two boats that were designed with reference to the structure of Kalhuoffummi.

Named, Dhoni Stella I and II, the boats is designed with two cabin suites each that caters from two to six travelers, and since you aren’t going to be at war while on your vacation, instead of battle equipment, the safari boats are designed with all the luxurious amenities that is prerequisite for a lovely getaway in the most romantic spot on Earth.

Come up with your own vacation plan, or choose one that caters your desires, be it snorkeling, some light diving or intense under the ocean adventure for the experienced divers and the experienced captain and crew will take care of the rest.

Your time onboard Dhoni Stella I and II will alternate between the air-conditioned authentic wooden cabins that are sophisticated in its simplicity, the cuisine of Maldives with a dash of Italian favorites, the top notch service by the competent crew and a choice of four options to charter the vessel.

Tourists staying at resorts can use the boat for an exclusive full day trip or for excursions and return to the resort for the night. Travelers who prefer to go off the beaten path would love the full charter option of the vessel, where you can embark at Malé – the capital island of the Maldives or from any resort, and choose where to go.

Between choosing a combination of cruising itineraries with a where you get to spend overnights either on the vessel or a resort, and a full safari charter tailor made for divers, snorkelers and fishermen, one would be inclined for the latter if one is into the aqua scene, as this package is designed by Max Molteni, an expert on Maldives and author of the book ‘Maldives Cruising Guide’.

 

Which boat to choose ?

 

The differences between the two boats are in design, as Dhoni Stella I is the best choice for a couple or a family as it has a ‘Master Cabin Suite’ for two adults and a ‘Twin Cabin Suite’ for two adults  and a child. Dhoni Stella II on the other hand, is best for two couples or two families as it has two ‘Triple Cabin Suites’ which has three adults and one child occupancy per suite.

Everything else is the same on both boats, as all the cabins have their own private toilet, fresh water from an onboard desalination plant, diving facilities, dive guide and gears, and fishing gears made available on request from the English-speaking crew members that include a captain, a chef and two stewards. The vessels are equipped with a motorized dinghy that facilitates transport onto and off islands and sand-bars.

While internet isn’t available on board, tourists are given a local SIM card which can be used to get online with a wireless modem on the 3G network that blankets almost the entire country.

 

Offers by Maldives dive travel

 

Maldives Dive Travel is offering a package from 1^st July to 31^st August where children and teen-agers are free of charge on board. There are also special deals where you get free nights. If you stay for 7 days, you pay for only 6, stay for 10 nights and pay for 8, or stay for a fortnight and pay for only 11 days. This offer is valid from the 1^st of June 2012 to 25^th December 2012, and then from 7^th January 2013 to 25^th December 2013.

Visit the islands of the Maldives on boat Dhoni Stella I or II, and imagine the breathtaking beauty of the seascape afire in the setting sun; inspiration for the hero that saved the country so long ago. Have a beach barbeque with your catch of fish and eat under the canopy of the sparkling starry sky, a style that is truly Maldivian. Book now !

Dhoni Stella – Set sail in the style of a Maldivian Hero is a post from: Maldives Blog

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1. Black Pearl Liveaboard Sets Sail for First November Dive
2. Black Pearl set to sail tomorrow on a full charter.
3. Maldivian Government Moves to Protect its Whale Sharks and Allocates Protect Areas

The Hanifaru Bay diving ban explained

Hanifaru Bay is a world-renowned snorkelling and diving spot but as of this year diving has been banned in the bay.

The bay is located in Baa Atoll and is roughly the size of a football pitch in size. During the Southwest Monsoon when the moonlight, tide and other conditions are right, the bay comes alive with vast concentrations of zooplankton. ‘Mega fauna’ like whale sharks, manta rays and giant oceanic mantas are attracted by the plankton and are drawn to the bay in unusually high numbers, making for an incredible natural spectacle.

 

The opportunity to see up to see several whale sharks and up to 200 mantas in one place draws tourists from all over the world. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List Threatened Species assessment, whale sharks are classed as ‘Vulnerable’ while manta rays are ‘Near Threatened’. Hanifaru Bay is one of the only places in the world where scientists have recorded whale sharks and mantas aggregating in such high numbers to feed.

The government of the Maldives decided to implement strict rules and measures in an effort to minimise damage to the ecosystem there following a massive increase in the number of tourists visiting it. One of the most significant changes is the ban on diving in Hanifaru Bay, making it effectively a snorkelling-only zone. Divers can still dive in the area outside of the bay and in the rest of Baa Atoll but inside Hanifaru Bay all visitors must adhere to the new regulations. The diving ban came into effect in January 2012.

The Reef

 

Hanifaru reef is a semi-oval shape surrounded by deep channels. On the eastern side it is exposed to open ocean. The western corner is the shallowest part of the lagoon, protected from the open ocean, and there is a small sand cay there. There isn’t very much hard coral in the lagoon but turtles and seabirds can be spotted there. On the south-eastern side of the reef there is a small bay which is around 700 metres long and 80 to 200 metres wide, connected to the main reef in the east and a channel opening into open ocean to the west. The whale sharks and mantas use this channel to enter the bay unless the tide is high enough for them to cross the reef.   The southern part of the bay, near a sandbank, is where the zooplankton gets trapped in large numbers and the whale sharks and mantas feed on them.

Vessel Regulations

 

Hanifaru Bay was declared a Marine Protected Area in 2009, which gives it the highest level of protection in the Maldives. It was made a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in June 2011. There are three main functions of a Biosphere Reserve – conservation, sustainable development and learning.

A Hanifaru Management Plan was drawn up to co-ordinate and implement the programme. It is co-financed by the Global Environment Facility and implemented through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Maldives.

Under the regulations, only five safari boats, resort vessels or local boats are allowed to drop off visitors near Hanifaru Bay at one time and each vessel can only have access every other day. Vessels must stay at least 50 metres from the mega fauna. No vessels can enter the bay and the special drop-off zone can only be used by vessels, researchers, in water tour guides, Environmental Protection Agency rangers and visitors in possession of Hanifaru Tokens.

How this affects visitors ?

 

There is also a restriction on the number of visitors allowed in the water at one time. Anyone wanting to snorkel in the bay must have an official Hanfaru Token purchased either from a safari boat or from the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund . The token entitles each group to up to 45 minutes of snorkelling time in the bay. Visitors have to leave the boat in the drop off zone and enter Hanifaru Bay by swimming through a designated entry point.

Visitors also have to abide by special guidelines (the national Maldivian Whale Shark Tourism Guidelines) when they come across any of the mega fauna. They must stay at least three metres away from the creatures and not attempt to touch them. If the whale sharks happen to swim in their path, snorkellers have to remain motionless and wait for them to move away from them.

Every visitor will be given a laminated map of Hanifaru Bay and the main sites within it. On the back is a list of permitted and prohibited activities in the area, which tour guides are also required to explain to visitors.

Anyone who breaches the Hanifaru Management Plan is liable to penalties under Maldivian Law defined in the Environmental Liability Regulations, and the Hanifaru Management Authority can withdraw or suspend licences and permits for anyone breaching the Management Plan.

 

For more information on booking a trip to Hanifaru Bay and for tours to other great dive sites around the Maldives. Check out our special offers and get the best holidays deal in the Maldives !

The Hanifaru Bay diving ban explained is a post from: Maldives Blog

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1. Visit Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll, Maldives
2. Hanifaru Bay Dive Trips 2010
3. Hanifaru Bay
4. MV Orion Offers Unbelievable Last Minute Deal for the Hanifaru Safari!
5. Diving Holiday Destinations
6. Whale Shark Dive Trips 2010
7. Hanifaru Bay Videos
8. Maldivian Government Moves to Protect its Whale Sharks and Allocates Protect Areas
9. Giant Rays’ “Feeding Frenzy” Spots Protected in Maldives
10. MV Sting Ray Ends the Diving Season After Hammerhead Dive

Escape into rural Maldives

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they get tired of sitting at a desk year in, year out, doing the same things over and over again. Some call it “mid-life crisis”, some call it “wanderlust”, but I prefer to think of it as nature itself calling out my name over and over again, telling me that this isn’t what human beings were designed for.

That’s when I know I have to take a few days off work, pack a few bags, print out a couple of Google Maps and vanish.

With technology like 3G mobile internet available at nearly every point in the Maldivian archipelago, it’s hard to get lost if you have a phone with a GPS and apps like Foursquare, Layar and Maps loaded. Discovering local favorites becomes as easy as turning on your phone.

Maldives at Last !

 

After landing in Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Malé, one of the first things you should be doing is getting your phone a local SIM card and applying for the 1 Gigabyte internet connection. Grab the next speedboat to the capital island, and walk into the MTCC ferry terminal to check up on boat schedules to the nearby islands.

It’s better to take the boats rather than flying to the countryside, because for one, you’ll get to experience what it’s like to live in a country that’s almost fully seas and oceans, and you’ll also make new friends with the friendly Maldivian people.

You should pack as little as possible, preferably just a backpack, because anything more than a backpack quickly becomes a burden. Keeping an eye out for multiple pieces of luggage isn’t something you should be bothered with, on a trip where you set out to be as free as possible.

Arrival into the islands should be simple enough. Disembark as soon as possible, ahead of other travelers and find the guest house representative , he will be waiting for you. It’s highly unlikely you’ll ever find a bathtub, but you’re in for a treat if your room has what’s called a “Valhukotari”, which is local for ‘Well-Room”. Some of these rooms are well-appointed and spacious enough to have a well and a bench! Meanwhile, there are other accommodations in the more rustic settings that offer a “Gifili” instead of a bathroom. These are entirely open air bathrooms which let us bath under the canopy of the sky.

Of course, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for peeping toms though!

Usually your arrival will be at the end of a day, which means it would be prudent to grab a quick shower and set out to look for a nice spot to dine at before spending a night either walking the shores of the island feeling as lost and happy as Robinson Crusoe or just going to bed, your mind lulled to sleep by the gentle sighing of the waves at the breakwater.

 

Experience the island life

 

The Maldivian Islands are filled with tiny little treasures… a hidden temple here, an ancient graveyard there. These places can have astoundingly intricate stone carvings or lacquerwork that will leave you with more questions than answers about the enigmatic origins of the people of Maldives.

There’s nothing more to be said about the beaches that hasn’t already been written or photographed and available all over the internet, because yes, it’s as perfect as they’re depicted to be. But you cannot truly say that you’ll know exactly what it feels like to stand at water’s edge, your feet dipped in the sea, your eyes absorbing the vivid seascape painted with the colors of a fiery sunset and the sibilant whispers of the warm westward wind wending its way home.

The Vibrant sea life

 

The only thing that can beat the experience is lying in the sea, your head cradled by the power-soft beach and your body being massaged by the warm brine of the Indian Ocean; you can close your eyes and drift off to liminality in your mind and imagine Mother Earth cradling you in her lap.

While there’s abundant flora and fauna in the woodsy parts of the larger islands, the wealth of the Maldives lies below the surface of the aquamarine seas. Rent out a pair of flippers and a snorkeling mask and poke around the house-reefs of the islands, where you will encounter thousands of colorful tropical fish, hundreds of types of iridescent corals and perhaps a couple of encounters with a moray eel and an inquisitive octopus or two.

If you have a PADI Diver’s license, join a day tour available at some of the more developed islands and understand why the Maldives captures the imagination of millions of divers around the world. While being one of the warmest, prolonged skin diving in the Indian Ocean can cause hypothermia, still lets you stay under for far longer than other places.

Where the time stands still

 

Check out the historic places like the Utheemu palace in the north, or the abandoned Royal Air Force base in the south if you like to poke around and flip the pages of history, or just laze away the days surfing the waves and catching the perfect winter tan that only the very wealthy used to sport back in the late 90’s. Often, a helpful shopkeeper at souvenir shops and cafes will point you in the right direction for yet another discovery if ever the internet fails you.

Time stands still once you’re immersed in the daily idyllic life of the villagers in remote island communities, where the biggest thing to happen would be a fantastic catch of fish or a harvest of vegetables. You’ll find that your energy slowly recharges itself and a million floating points click onto a unified idea, and the inner strength that you’ve always wanted to summon comes to you naturally.

That’s when you know that it’s time to head back home. But not just yet, because jumping right back into civilization can be quite a culture-shock. It’s a good idea to spend a couple of days in the capital city as well, hanging out at the cafés and soaking in the idle banter of the local populace as well as other travelers.

You can now get a taste of Maldivian island life whilst staying in relaxing, clean and comfortable surroundings – or even round off a fantastic diving holiday on a safari boat with a few extra nights on land. We’re delighted to announce that Maldives Dive Travel is now offering guests the opportunity to book guesthouses on local islands, get instant access to the guest house page here

Escape into rural Maldives is a post from: Maldives Blog

No related posts.

Traveller’s dream.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they get tired of sitting at a desk year in, year out, doing the same things over and over again. Some call it “mid-life crisis”, some call it “wanderlust”, but I prefer to think of it as nature itself calling out my name over and over again, telling me that this isn’t what human beings were designed for.

That’s when I know I have to take a few days off work, pack a few bags, print out a couple of Google Maps and vanish.

With technology like 3G mobile internet available at nearly every point in the Maldivian archipelago, it’s hard to get lost if you have a phone with a GPS and apps like Foursquare, Layar and Maps loaded. Discovering local favorites becomes as easy as turning on your phone.

 

After landing in Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Malé, one of the first things you should be doing is getting your phone a local SIM card and applying for the 1 Gigabyte internet connection. Grab the next speedboat to the capital island, and walk into the MTCC ferry terminal to check up on boat schedules to the nearby islands.

It’s better to take the boats rather than flying to the countryside, because for one, you’ll get to experience what it’s like to live in a country that’s almost fully seas and oceans, and you’ll also make new friends with the friendly Maldivian people.

You should pack as little as possible, preferably just a backpack, because anything more than a backpack quickly becomes a burden. Keeping an eye out for multiple pieces of luggage isn’t something you should be bothered with, on a trip where you set out to be as free as possible.

Arrival into the islands should be simple enough. Disembark as soon as possible, ahead of other travelers and find your guest house representative. It’s highly unlikely you’ll ever find a bathtub at a budget accommodations, but you’re in for a treat if your room has what’s called a “Valhukotari”, which is local for ‘Well-Room”. Some of these rooms are well-appointed and spacious enough to have a well and a bench! Meanwhile, there are other accommodations in the more rustic settings that offer a “Gifili” instead of a bathroom. These are entirely open air bathrooms which let us bath under the canopy of the sky.

Of course, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for peeping toms though!

Usually your arrival will be at the end of a day, which means it would be prudent to grab a quick shower and set out to look for a nice spot to dine at before spending a night either walking the shores of the island feeling as lost and happy as Robinson Crusoe or just going to bed, your mind lulled to sleep by the gentle sighing of the waves at the breakwater.

The Maldivian Islands are filled with tiny little treasures… a hidden temple here, an ancient graveyard there. These places can have astoundingly intricate stone carvings or lacquerwork that will leave you with more questions than answers about the enigmatic origins of the people of Maldives.

There’s nothing more to be said about the beaches that hasn’t already been written or photographed and available all over the internet, because yes, it’s as perfect as they’re depicted to be. But you cannot truly say that you’ll know exactly what it feels like to stand at water’s edge, your feet dipped in the sea, your eyes absorbing the vivid seascape painted with the colors of a fiery sunset and the sibilant whispers of the warm westward wind wending its way home.

The only thing that can beat the experience is lying in the sea, your head cradled by the power-soft beach and your body being massaged by the warm brine of the Indian Ocean; you can close your eyes and drift off to liminality in your mind and imagine Mother Earth cradling you in her lap.

While there’s abundant flora and fauna in the woodsy parts of the larger islands, the wealth of the Maldives lies below the surface of the aquamarine seas. Rent out a pair of flippers and a snorkeling mask and poke around the house-reefs of the islands, where you will encounter thousands of colorful tropical fish, hundreds of types of iridescent corals and perhaps a couple of encounters with a moray eel and an inquisitive octopus or two.

If you have a PADI Diver’s license, join a day tour available at some of the more developed islands and understand why the Maldives captures the imagination of millions of divers around the world. While being one of the warmest, prolonged skin diving in the Indian Ocean can cause hypothermia, still lets you stay under for far longer than other places.

Check out the historic places like the Utheemu palace in the north, or the abandoned Royal Air Force base in the south if you like to poke around and flip the pages of history, or just laze away the days surfing the waves and catching the perfect winter tan that only the very wealthy used to sport back in the late 90’s. Often, a helpful shopkeeper at souvenir shops and cafes will point you in the right direction for yet another discovery if ever the internet fails you.

 

 

Time stands still once you’re immersed in the daily idyllic life of the villagers in remote island communities, where the biggest thing to happen would be a fantastic catch of fish or a harvest of vegetables. You’ll find that your energy slowly recharges itself and a million floating points click onto a unified idea, and the inner strength that you’ve always wanted to summon comes to you naturally.

That’s when you know that it’s time to head back home. But not just yet, because jumping right back into civilization can be quite a culture-shock. It’s a good idea to spend a couple of days in the capital city as well, hanging out at the cafés and soaking in the idle banter of the local populace as well as other travellers.

You can now get a taste of Maldivian island life whilst staying in relaxing, clean and comfortable surroundings – or even round off a fantastic diving holiday on a safari boat with a few extra nights on land. We’re delighted to announce that Maldives Dive Travel is now offering guests the opportunity to book guesthouses on local islands, get instant access to the guest house page here

Traveller’s dream. is a post from: Maldives Blog

No related posts.

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