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AQUATIC ESCAPES
JEREMY TREDINNICK SUGGESTS FIVE WAYS TO ESCAPE ISLAND FEVER IN THE MALDIVES - ON, IN, UNDER AND OVER THE WATER
The result is a huge variety in underwater experiences, from gentle lagoon dives on colourful reefs to underwater explorations of abandoned wrecks and exhilarating drift dives along the outer walls of the atoll, where visibility can reach 50m.
Many of the Maldives’ best dive sites are found in the North Malé and South Malé atolls, within an hour of the capital of Malé. However, each resort has its own collection of great locations within minutes of its island.
“One of our best dives within easy reach is Cocoa Th ila,” says Cinzia Mariolini, dive instructor and base leader of the Ocean Paradise dive centre on Naladhu’s neighbouring Bodu Huraa island, which guests use for scuba activities.
This is a typical adrenaline-fuelled dive on a thila , or shallow underwater reef that sits smack in the middle of a major channel or pass between the ocean and lagoon.
Incoming and outgoing tides bring strong currents, which are a challenge to the diver but filled with nutrients that result in healthy coral growth and plentiful reef fish. Bigger specimens might include grey and white-tip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, dogtooth tuna, and huge shoals of trevally and snapper. If you hanker after such excitement, these channels o?er it in gallons.
For gentler diving, lagoon thilas and island reefs o? er overhangs festooned with soft coral. Here, among the blaze of bright blue, orange and yellow corals and sponges, the usual reef suspects hang around: parrotfish munch on hard coral; hawksbill and green turtles glide serenely over the reef top; and powder-blue surgeonfish dart through the water.
The Maldives is also a top spot to see one of the underwater world’s favourite animals: manta rays. These massive but benign behemoths often frequent channels, then head for sandy areas where they hover, whilst tiny cleaner wrasse shoot up from hiding places to pluck minute parasites from their gills and mouths.
It is not widely known outside hardcore surfer circles, but the Maldives is one of the world’s top surf destinations, with its own homegrown surf clique and an annual world surfing competition. A die-hard Aussie surfer at the Four Seasons Resort on Kuda Huraa explained to me why many come back every year.
“There’s really something for everyone,” he said. “You’ve got some nice long right-handers with gentle take-o?s, or you can do some serious tube-riding on hollow waves - and all close to luxury places like this! It’s heaven!”
The main surfing destination is North Malé Atoll, which boasts some of the country’s best waves - although South Malé Atoll has half a dozen named waves too.
Top breaks have specific names such as “Lohis” - a consistent long left-hander; “Chickens” - a truly fast wave with rides of up to 500m; and “Sultans” - an easy right-hander with an intense wrapping section at the end. Right-handers apply to when the wave is breaking from the left to right and the surfer must turn to the right to get on it (the opposite applies to left -handers).
The best waves happen from April to October, with the biggest swells likely to occur between June and September.
It will come as no surprise that sailing and other water sports are popular in all the Maldives’ resorts - after all, water vastly outstrips land here, and Maldivians are renowned throughout the Indian Ocean as great seafarers.
Resort watersport centres are packed to the nines with all sorts of gear: windsurfer rigs hang tidily, waiting for novices, intermediates or advanced wave riders; colourfully painted wakeboards and water skis lean against the walls, and Hobie Cats sit patiently next to rows of kayaks, their sails furled but ready to go at a moment’s notice.
A Hobie’s twin hulls’ light weight and incredible manoeuvrability make it one of the simplest of sailboats to learn to use, but for sheer fun and excitement, it’s a heavyweight in sailing terms. Year-round breezes ensure that there is always an opportunity to go skimming across the lagoon.
There are also larger sailing vessels based in Malé, and you can arrange for a wooden dhoni (a traditional Maldivian vessel) to take you on day trips or a longer cruise. Perhaps the ideal arrangement is to spend a few days at a luxury island resort, then book a cabin on a charter vessel such as the MSS Barutheela ( www.barutheela-maldives.com ), a replica of an 18th century Spanish Galleon that tours the islands and atolls.
Finally, if you have no wish to get wet, but still want to experience the magic of the Indian Ocean seascape, take oFF on a scenic flight in a Maldivian Air Taxi seaplane ( www.mataxi.com ). A low-level flight over pristine rings of coral is an inspirational way to end your sojourn. The Canadian Otter aircraft seats up to 18 passengers and can be chartered from any resort for an aerial tour of the surrounding atolls, with a picnic on a desert island all to yourself.
Romance, excitement, genuinely awe-inspiring scenery - that’s the Maldives. For once, you can believe the hype.
The result is a huge variety in underwater experiences, from gentle lagoon dives on colourful reefs to underwater explorations of abandoned wrecks and exhilarating drift dives along the outer walls of the atoll, where visibility can reach 50m.
Many of the Maldives’ best dive sites are found in the North Malé and South Malé atolls, within an hour of the capital of Malé. However, each resort has its own collection of great locations within minutes of its island.
“One of our best dives within easy reach is Cocoa Th ila,” says Cinzia Mariolini, dive instructor and base leader of the Ocean Paradise dive centre on Naladhu’s neighbouring Bodu Huraa island, which guests use for scuba activities.
This is a typical adrenaline-fuelled dive on a thila , or shallow underwater reef that sits smack in the middle of a major channel or pass between the ocean and lagoon.
Incoming and outgoing tides bring strong currents, which are a challenge to the diver but filled with nutrients that result in healthy coral growth and plentiful reef fish. Bigger specimens might include grey and white-tip reef sharks, napoleon wrasse, dogtooth tuna, and huge shoals of trevally and snapper. If you hanker after such excitement, these channels o?er it in gallons.
For gentler diving, lagoon thilas and island reefs o? er overhangs festooned with soft coral. Here, among the blaze of bright blue, orange and yellow corals and sponges, the usual reef suspects hang around: parrotfish munch on hard coral; hawksbill and green turtles glide serenely over the reef top; and powder-blue surgeonfish dart through the water.
The Maldives is also a top spot to see one of the underwater world’s favourite animals: manta rays. These massive but benign behemoths often frequent channels, then head for sandy areas where they hover, whilst tiny cleaner wrasse shoot up from hiding places to pluck minute parasites from their gills and mouths.
2 SURF’S UP
It is not widely known outside hardcore surfer circles, but the Maldives is one of the world’s top surf destinations, with its own homegrown surf clique and an annual world surfing competition. A die-hard Aussie surfer at the Four Seasons Resort on Kuda Huraa explained to me why many come back every year.
“There’s really something for everyone,” he said. “You’ve got some nice long right-handers with gentle take-o?s, or you can do some serious tube-riding on hollow waves - and all close to luxury places like this! It’s heaven!”
The main surfing destination is North Malé Atoll, which boasts some of the country’s best waves - although South Malé Atoll has half a dozen named waves too.
Top breaks have specific names such as “Lohis” - a consistent long left-hander; “Chickens” - a truly fast wave with rides of up to 500m; and “Sultans” - an easy right-hander with an intense wrapping section at the end. Right-handers apply to when the wave is breaking from the left to right and the surfer must turn to the right to get on it (the opposite applies to left -handers).
The best waves happen from April to October, with the biggest swells likely to occur between June and September.
3 FISHY TALES
4 SKIMMING THE SURFACE
It will come as no surprise that sailing and other water sports are popular in all the Maldives’ resorts - after all, water vastly outstrips land here, and Maldivians are renowned throughout the Indian Ocean as great seafarers.
Resort watersport centres are packed to the nines with all sorts of gear: windsurfer rigs hang tidily, waiting for novices, intermediates or advanced wave riders; colourfully painted wakeboards and water skis lean against the walls, and Hobie Cats sit patiently next to rows of kayaks, their sails furled but ready to go at a moment’s notice.
A Hobie’s twin hulls’ light weight and incredible manoeuvrability make it one of the simplest of sailboats to learn to use, but for sheer fun and excitement, it’s a heavyweight in sailing terms. Year-round breezes ensure that there is always an opportunity to go skimming across the lagoon.
There are also larger sailing vessels based in Malé, and you can arrange for a wooden dhoni (a traditional Maldivian vessel) to take you on day trips or a longer cruise. Perhaps the ideal arrangement is to spend a few days at a luxury island resort, then book a cabin on a charter vessel such as the MSS Barutheela ( www.barutheela-maldives.com ), a replica of an 18th century Spanish Galleon that tours the islands and atolls.
Finally, if you have no wish to get wet, but still want to experience the magic of the Indian Ocean seascape, take oFF on a scenic flight in a Maldivian Air Taxi seaplane ( www.mataxi.com ). A low-level flight over pristine rings of coral is an inspirational way to end your sojourn. The Canadian Otter aircraft seats up to 18 passengers and can be chartered from any resort for an aerial tour of the surrounding atolls, with a picnic on a desert island all to yourself.
Romance, excitement, genuinely awe-inspiring scenery - that’s the Maldives. For once, you can believe the hype.
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