Posts Tagged ‘Maldives’

Discover a Vibrant World Underneath In Coral Capital Maldives

With nearly 2000 coral reefs, outcrops and sandbars to its name it is no surprise that the Maldives is considered the coral capital of the world.  This is why avid snorkelers and scuba divers from across the globe descend on this paradise island enclave for an underwater excursion within its 26 natural atolls. It is believed that the sheer enormity of the Maldivian coral heritage is due to a volcanic eruption that occurred centuries ago which jolted the ocean floor forming and leaving  behind breathtaking coral reefs along its destructive path.

The Maldives is in fact a part of a mountain range beneath the surface of the ocean that stretches across the Chagos Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and several others. Ensconced in the coral reefs one finds captivating lagoons while the corals have grown around the tips of the underwater mountain region. Home to one of the world’s most extensive and complicated coral reef networks, the variety of marine life that inhabits the reefs is equally impressive. It is said that nearly a thousand fish species including sharks and planktons reside within Maldivian coral reefs. Scientists have also identified nearly 200 types of corals within the island enclave making its coral heritage diverse as it is expansive.

A veritable treasure trove for deep sea divers and snorkelers, it is astounding that almost every atoll in the Maldives contains faros reefs, reef channels, interior lagoons, rims and massive reefs. Liveboard diving remains the preferred diving method within the islands as the sea’s currents are used to propel one from one point to another. Divers exploring the Maldivian sea bed can expect to catch more than a glimpse of barracudas, sweetlips, jacks and Napoleon wrasses while parrot fish and snappers also encountered by many a traveller.

Some of the best diving sites on the islands are contained in the channels where caverns, overhangs and deep sea caves ensconce a large variety of marine species including gorgonian fans, invertebrates and colourful sponges. Teeming with sessile marine animals the ‘Thilas’ are the areas within atoll lagoons in which summits of rocks nearly reach the surface of the ocean. Renowned as verdant regions where soft corals thrive on natural nourishment levelled by crashing water bodies, these regions usually boast a list of inhabitants that include crustaceans’ fish varieties.

 If it’s a luxurious Maldives island hotelone’s looking for there’s no finer alternative to the Velassaru Maldives. Whether its vibrant villas, charming suites or enchanting water bungalows this stylish Maldives resortoffers guests the absolute best in island accommodation.

Beauty Beneath the Surface in Mesmerizing Coral Reefs in the Maldives

Ideally spread out across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives can best be described as paradise on earth. With a majority of its landmass surrounded by sandy beaches, the natural atolls of the country are also home to some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world. A popular hotspot among avid divers and snorkelers, the island enclave encompasses a whopping 26 natural atolls with nearly 2000 vibrant coral reefs dotting the ocean floor.

Experts believe that the origin of the Maldives’ extensive coral reef heritage is due to a monumental underwater volcanic eruption that rocked the ocean bed. It should also be noted that the coral reefs themselves contain a number of stunning and breathtaking lagoons within their folds. Complete with coral outcrops and sandbars, the Maldives is home to perhaps the globe’s most complex and diverse composite coral reef network. Providing shelter for many colourful varieties of fish and other marine creatures, coral reefs are the most diverse ecosystem for marine life. Almost a thousand fish species are said to inhabit the Maldivian reefs including plankton and sharks while 200 varieties of coral have been identified in the country.

Ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving activities each atoll on the islands comprises of large reefs, as well as several faros reefs with individual reef channels, rims and inner lagoons. The most popular form of diving in the Maldives is setting adrift on liveaboards where the ocean’s current is used to move from one location to another. Guests can get a firsthand look at snappers, Napoleon wrasses,  sweetlips and jacks while parrot fish are also frequently spotted by divers.

When diving in the channels, visitors can enjoy the overhangs, caves and caverns in which soft corals grow and flourish. Expect to see gorgonian fans, vibrant sponges and invertebrates that inhabit the waters. In the regions inside atoll lagoons, divers can see towering rock peaks that reach the surface in some cases. Known as ‘Thilas’, these areas are infested with colourful sessile creatures. Such formations are believed to cause water to surge from the ocean bed to crash against the walls, simultaneously nourishing the soft corals, sponges that dwell on the sides. Sustaining a host of crustaceans and species of resident fish, the formations also create an environment rich in marine life and thus perfect for divers.

 Visitors in search of luxury Maldives hotels should look no further than the John Keells Hotels Group for the best rests in the island enclave. A renowned name in the Maldives travel  industry, the stylish establishments under the group’s management are some of the finest hotels in the country.

Dining in Maldives ? Exclusively for the Gourmet and the Epicurean

Maldives is like an idyllic paradise for the holidaymakers the world over. The country is famous as a tourist destination to spend a romantic, family or sporty holiday in the bliss of the tropics. Maldives is composed of thousands of islets nestling numerous island resorts that you can call your own little paradises.

Look around and you see a great blue ocean embracing the white beaches full of sparkling soft sand. Some islets are so narrow and small it almost feels like you are floating above the ocean and the feeling itself is surreal and inspirational. Tourists in Maldives equally enjoy the delight of local food offered at numerous restaurants snuggled in these island resorts. From haute cuisine to simple traditional delicacies you can take a whole new culinary adventure while you dine at the restaurants in Maldives.

 You can pick your choice of cuisines from continental to traditional Maldivian, western, Indian, Japanese and Chinese. And delight in your favourite flavours of pizza, pasta, cakes and ice creams. They smell simply awesome, look absolutely fresh and their appeal is at the helm so you simply can’t resist ordering more and more. Apart from the three main meals you can also request for special candle light dinners at some of its restaurants, and one by the seaside to make it all the more romantic.

Dining in Maldives is even more enjoyable when you get to taste their local delicacies and cuisines. The traditional Maldivian meal comprise of rice and fish soup called garudhiya. Rihaakuru or fish paste is a popular side dish. Other traditional dishes in Maldives include chapati called roshi and mashuni made with shredded smoked fish mixed with coconut and onion.

 One of the most popular delicacies in Maldives is called hedhikaa, the Maldivian savoury snacks and short eats made from smoked fish and scraped coconuts and simple ingredients. The top picks are fishcakes called kulhi boakibaa, fish pastry called bajiyaa, fish balls called gulha, fish rolls called keemia and fish pancakes called masroshi. Seafood is one of the food specialties in Maldives as it’s the most abundant and the skipjack tuna is definitely one of their favourites.

To pamper the sweet toothed guests, the restaurants in Maldives offer an array of luscious deserts made of flour, essence and sugar. They include the foni boakiba, githeyo boakiba and huni hakuru folhi. Black tea referred locally as kalhu sai, is one of their favourite beverages that goes well with the local snacks.

 Spend your vacation at one of the cosy <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=” http://www.johnkeellshotels.com/MaldivesHotels.htm” target=”_blank”>Maldives hotels</a> and enjoy a delightful dining experience in Maldives. For the ultimate comfort wrapped with some of the finest coastal backdrops try one of the hotels from John Keells Hotels Group for your <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=”http://www.johnkeellshotels.com/Maldives.htm ” target=”_blank”>Maldives travel</a>. Explore various islands, be mesmerized with their breathtaking seascapes, engage in water sports and taste their tempting dishes from exotic to native. In fact your wonderful experience here will make you want to visit Maldives year after year.

Ideal Tropical Destination the Maldives

The Maldives is made up of a chain of nearly 1,200 islands, most of them uninhabited, which lie off the Indian sub continent.

A string of pearls scattered over the deep blue Indian Ocean. The first glimpse you get of this fascinating formation confirms two unique aspects of the Republic of Maldives. Not only does it consist of the most beautiful tropical islands, but most are covered by the sea. Ring like coral formations enclosing a lagoon, which gives the Maldives its unique paradise like appearance.

No more than two hundred islands are inhabited, the rest tourist resorts and uninhabited islands, some of which are used for drying fish or other agricultural activities.

Originally a Buddhist nation, Islam was introduced in 1153. In 1965 the Maldives obtained independence from Britain. The Maldives have seen only two Presidents, though political restrictions have loosened somewhat recently.

The language is from Indo Iranian Sanskritic origin, which points at a later influence from the North of the Subcontinent. According to the legends, the kingly dynasty that ruled the country in the past has its origin there.

The Maldivia economy was entirely dependent on fishing and other marine products for many centuries. Fishing remains the main occupation of the people and the government gives special priority to the development of the fisheries sector.

The development of tourism has fostered the overall growth of the countrys economy. It has created direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities in other related industries.

Many Maldiviens live in poverty. However, the country has developed its infrastructure and industries, including the fisheries sector, and has boosted health care, education and literacy.

The Maldives was hit by the December 2004 Asian tsunami. Homes and resorts were devastated by the waves, precipitating a major rebuilding programme.

There is a fear that as sea levels rise, island countries such as the Maldives, and some Pacific territories, will simply be swamped and disappear. None of the coral islands measures more than 1.8 metres above sea level, making the country vulnerable to a rise in sea levels associated with global warming.

The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and a great deal of sunshine. The warm tropical climate results in relatively minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year. The hottest month on average is April and the coolest, December. The weather is determined largely by the monsoons.

As the Maldives comprises more sea than land, it is only natural that fish have always been the most prominent element of Maldivien food. However, with travellers from different parts of the world, new seasonings and vegetables were introduced in to the country and added to the existing repertoire of seafood. Each new discovery was incorporated into the diet in quantities most palatable to Maldiviens. Thus Maldivien cuisine now comprises Arabic, Indian, Sri Lanka and Oriental tastes blended into a unique cuisine that embodies a culinary identity of its own.

Sun, sand and sea, a thousand Robinson Crusoe islands, massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens. A perfect natural combination for the ideal tropical holiday destination.

Where to see and go in Maldives?

Coral Reefs

There are several kinds of corals in Maldives. The most common one will be the stony coral (Order Madreporaria or Scleractinia), numbering around a thousand species.

You will not be able to see anything in the deep blue sea zone through snorkeling as it is too deep. Remember to check that the resort you are booking has house reefs so you can see the beautiful reefs under the sea.

Other kinds of corals include the black and thorny corals (Antipatharia) and soft corals. An interesting species will be the walking coral (Heteropsammia Michelinii). It actually does not move on its own – There’s a marine worm living in its limy skeleton and as this worm moves around, foraging for food, it drags the small one-inch-long coral with it.

The Coral Reefs in Maldives are the safest haven of various marine animals. These include the gray reef shark, white tip reef shark, manta ray, eagle ray and lobsters. All these animals are unique ones and have their own role in the ecology of the reef.

Sea Animals

The waters at Maldives are inhabited by several sea animals as well. They include the Sharks, Eels, turtles, Rays (common ones: Manta Rays, Sting Rays and Eagle Rays) dolphins and 20,000 species of fish.

Pubs & Tours

There are no must go places in Maldives. Depending on the size of the resort island, you can take about half an hour to tour a whole small resort island. People mainly go there for the Sea, Sand, Sun and of course Relax! Some of the local islands are prohibited to tourists and if you would like to go there, you may need to join local tours for island hopping organize by the locals and then you will be permitted to visit the Maldives local lifestyle. Also, the local people drink well water actually.

There are also local fishing tours at primitive islands which you can join. These places are the only places which you can fish. You are not able to fish at other areas.

During night time, there are pubs for you to have your dosage of beer and relax by the sea with live bands and local dances.

More information at: http://www.themaldives-holidays.com/

Maldives Top Five Scuba Dives

The maldives have long been known as wonderful vacation resorts beloved of scuba divers. The thousand or so islands each sit in lagoons of coral that have built up over a quarter of a million years. The shallow waters are abundant with sea life. Eveything from the tiniest nudibranch to the great Whale Shark can be seen here. The real stars for most people are the pelagic Manta Rays and the loggerhead turtles which are often found in large numbers. They are attracted by the abundance of food, as are plenty of sharks.

But when faced with such a mass of options, which islands shoul you choose? The readers of The Maldives Review have given their approval to the isllands of Dhiggiri, Kudahithi, Ellaidhoo, Fihalhohi and Filitheyo as the five Maldives destinations that tick the scuba diver’s boxes most fully.

According to editor Nicola Brown the scoring is based not only on dive quality, which in most cases in the maldives is a given, but also on accomodation qality, standard of food and drink on the island, party atmosphere and general levels of customer service.

Above all that, the standards of the Scuba dive center (invariably a PADI centres in the Maldives) are what mark out a first class scuba diver’s island as opposed to just a good one. The staff of the dive centre must be patient, professional, knowledgeable, environmentally aware, multilingual and also friendly too. When they can deliver on all those fields, then what you have is a top five maldives dive resort.

The Maldives – A Beach Paradise

The Maldives are a collection of over one thousand islands in the Indian Ocean, almost 500 miles south west of Sri Lanka. They epitomise the phrase “tropical paradise” and as a result are a popular destination for couples and families wanting a really relaxing holiday. The Maldives is one of the most isolated countries is the world, and also one of the most dispersed, with atolls (islands made of coral that encircle lagoons) spread out over thousands of miles.

Being near the equator, The Maldives has hot temperatures all year round. However, between June and October, monsoons are common due to interactions between the sea and air in Asia to the North. Rainfall is a lot lower between October and April so this is the ideal window for a holiday. Temperatures average 30°C in these months. This climate combines with possibly some the finest beaches on the planet. The spectacular formations of coral that have formed the islands have to be seen to be believed. The lagoons that form within the islands have a brilliant blue colour, and look as they do on the postcards. Palm trees swaying with the sea breeze help complete the idyllic setting.

Most of the islands are still uninhabited, so if you want to be completely isolated, you can simply hire a boat and explore. There can surely be no better feeling that lying on a beach with nobody for literally miles around. The corals that make up the island act as a food source for small animals which leads to a diverse range of animal life â?? perfect for snorkelling. If you travel at the right time you can also be lucky enough to swim with Whale sharks, the largest fish on the planet.

It’s no wonder why Maldives holidays are so desirable. It’s such a relaxing, paradisiacal place – a world away from the hustle and bustle of the West.