Beninm Wangi » Marine Life

Famous Dive Sites

Benin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 08:31:35 +0000

Lankan Manta Point is one of the Maldives famous dive sites, known particularly for sightings of manta rays. The key with visiting Lankan Manta Point is to go at the right time of year. Lion’s Head, named after the lion-shaped coral formations here, is considered one of the most beautiful Maldives diving travel sites in the Maldives and is a common playing ground for many different reef-dwelling types of marine life, including rainbow fusiliers and napoleon wrasse. It’s also one of the few places where you can expect to see mobula rays. Check out this fascinating underwater clip shot at the Lankan Manta Point in the Maldives. The divers were plunged amidst a large group of manta rays, peacefully gliding through the water.

Manta Ray Diving This means that, the size of a manta ray compared...
Whale Sharks The Maldives oceanic creatures is as expected one of the...
Holidays in the Maldives What better backdrop for a lazy fishing trip than the...

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Grey Reef Sharks

Benin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:14:35 +0000

Grey reef sharks in the Maldives are found living around the coral reefs and are most active at night when they are hunting. If you’re interested in scuba diving with sharks in Maldives, you’re most likely to encounter grey reef sharks under water. There are several types of reef sharks Maldives, the most common of which is probably the grey reef sharks. A reef sharks diet consists generally of smaller fish and they are savvy hunters, although there is no evidence confirming the question, are grey sharks dangerous to scuba divers. Grey reef sharks can reach lengths of about 6 feet long and usually have a grey back with a white belly.

Whale Sharks The Maldives oceanic creatures is as expected one of the...

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Whale Sharks

Benin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:26:44 +0000

The Maldives oceanic creatures is as expected one of the major attractions of this island realm for countless visitors, above all those wishing to engage in some diving or other marine recreation. Amongst the most impressive Maldives marine life are the Maldives manta rays and the whale sharks Maldives. There are also hundreds, if not thousands of Maldives fish species which range from the colourful parrotfish to the unappealing moray eel. You can get guides to the various types of fish found in the Maldives on all kinds of websites, on top of the Maldives Dive Travel website, which includes photos and descriptions of the countless types of fish in the Maldives including tips on finding manta ray Maldives and useful hints like when is the prime time to set eyes on whale sharks in the Maldives.

Whale Shark Maldives The whale shark maldives might get scared and swim away...
Manta Ray Diving This means that, the size of a manta ray compared...

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Whale Shark Maldives

Benin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:58:39 +0000

The whale shark maldives might get scared and swim away quickly, which can lead to injuries caused by their powerful fins and tails. No matter how tempting it might be to touch these gentle, curious creatures, scuba divers maldives should never forget that a reef is no petting zoo. Where does a whale shark live? The whale shark habitat is made up of all the warm and temperate oceans. Because whale shark diets consist mainly of plankton, most habitats are found around areas of high plankton-density. Whale sharks are mainly diurnal creatures and it is unlikely that you will ever see a whale shark at night.

Manta Ray Diving This means that, the size of a manta ray compared...

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Maldives Vacation Packages

Benin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 23:13:09 +0000

For scuba diving maldives vacation packages, the best time of year to visit is in November or in April. This time of year signifies the transition between the two monsoon seasons in the Maldives, and as a consequence guarantees the best visibility conditions under water.
We offer numerous vacation packages for Maldives, specifically tailored for scuba divers and diving vacations Maldives. The cost of Maldives vacations scuba diving can range drastically depending on time of year, dive sites, travel etc. The average cost for one dive is around 50$, excluding the price of travel. When diving several times a day at distant vacation dive sites in Maldives, the costs can add up to astronomical amounts! Fear not, there are plenty of cheap Maldives vacation packages on offer, providing you with a fully catered Maldives scuba diving vacation option. Prices for a Maldives liveaboard scuba diving vacation package including costs for accommodation, meals, travel, equipment, instructors and several dives a day, range between a mere 180$ – 220$ per person, per day. Also keep an eye out for last minute Maldives vacation offers, as well as last minute scuba diving vacation deals. A truly unforgettable experience, don’t let opportunity pass you by! For more information feel free to check out our cheap Maldives vacations packages.

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Manta Ray Diving

Benin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:46:03 +0000

This means that, the size of a manta ray compared to a human, is typically three times larger, so if you’re manta ray diving in Maldives and a manta swims over your head, you’re going to feel very small. The manta rays size and swimming speed are its greatest defense mechanisms since it doesn’t have a sting in its tail. The biggest manta ray threat, apart from human beings, is whale shark, and in the event that a manta ray is attacked by a shark and survives, it will then visit a cleaning station for the small fish to eat away any dead skin or other residue left by the shark.

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German Ambassador Ploetner Pays Courtesy Call on President Nasheed

Benin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:33:31 +0000

Ambassador of Germany, Jens Ploetner, Pays Courtesy Call on Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed

Ambassador of Germany to the Maldives, Mr. Jens Ploetner, has paid a courtesy call on President Mohamed Nasheed. The meeting was held this afternoon at the President’s Office.

Meeting between German Ambassador Ploetner and Maldives’ President Nasheed

In the meeting, President Nasheed and Ambassador Ploetner discussed the friendly relationship between the two countries and ways to strengthen the current relationship between the Maldives and Germany. Mr. Ploetner gave additional details on the President’s upcoming official visit to Germany.

The President was joined at the meeting by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy to the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and Political Advisor to the President Hassan Afeef.

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Moorish Idol

Benin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:33:30 +0000

Moorish Idol

The majestic Zanclus Cornutus, more famously known as the moorish idol, is one of the most popular fish among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts all over the world. The only member of the Zanclidae family, the moorish idol is commonly sighted in the exotic Indo-Pacific waters. The moorish idol is often mistaken for a butterfly fish, due to some very similar features.

Moorish Idols

Moorish Idol Habitat

Despite its popularity among aquarium hobbyists, the moorish idol, like most fish, is best suited in its natural habitat, particularly because of the creature’s acute sensitivity to water temperature. Commonly found in depths of 3m to 180m in both clear and cloudy waters, the moorish idol is usually spotted swimming alone because of its tendency to fight with other moorish idols.

Moorish Idol Appearance

Adult moorish idols grow to an average lengy of 4-6 inches, although some can reach up to 9 inches. Its distinct features are a long dorsal fin end with thread-like tip, long snout, three bold black bands over the eye to ventral fins, rear body and on the tail.

Moorish Idol Diet

In its natural habitat, the moorish idol is usually found on flat reefs preying on sponges, tunicates, and other small invertebrates to satisfy its rather indifferent appetite. In captivity, the moorish idol can be a far pickier eater.

Moorish Idol Behaviour Toward Scuba Divers

Moorish idols are quite harmless marine creatures and safe to dive around with. The moorish idol is not an endangered species and as such is not on the IUCN list of threatened species.

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Maldives Dive Sites

Benin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:33:30 +0000

Maldives Dive Sites

The following is our definitive guide to the five best Maldives Dive Sites. At these Maldives Dive Sites, you can expect to see some of the finest marine life in the world.

Maldives Dive Site #1 – Fotteyo Kandu

Many scuba divers consider Fotteyo Kandu to be the best Maldives dive site and it is also rated among the top 5 dive sites in the world. The mouth of the channel is exposed to the ocean and during north east monsoon when the currents are incoming, a good variety of fish species gather at the entrance to the channel. Animals commonly spotted at Fotteyo Kandu include Gray Reef Shark patrolling the channel mouth, Jack and Tuna in the deeper water, schools of Midnight Snappers and Red Snapper form in huge groups. The wall features caves, overhangs and swim-thoughs at different depths. These caves and overhangs are filled with colourful yellow color like soft coral, deeper caves and overhangs are filled with huge bushes of black corals. The Thila in the middle of the channel entrance is the best place to do the safety stop. A surface balloon is a must at Fotteyo Kandu.

Maldives Dive Site Fotteyo Kandu

Maldives Dive Site #2 – Maaya Thila

Maaya Thila is one of the best Maldives dive sites for a night dive. The dive boat is usually fixed to the mooring and a line is used for the ascent and descent for safety reasons. A strobe light is attached to the rope at 5 meters to identify the rope underwater.

On the Maaya Thila night dive, divers get to experience swimming close to White Tip Reef Sharks. Turtles rest inside caves / overhangs, while Moray Eels and White Tip Sharks hunt the vulnerable Fusiliers. Octopus and Stone Fish can be found around the top reef. The caves where the crevices are found are the ideal place for people who are interested in macro photography. Here you will find Cleaner Shrimps, Ghost Pipe Fish and many more seldom-seen species.

Maldives Dive Site Maaya Thila is a Reef Shark Hotspot

The Maaya Thila night dive is a must for all scuba divers visiting the Maldives and is a one-of-a-kind dive.

Maldives Dive Site #3 – Rangali Madivaru

Madi in the local language of the Maldives, means “Ray”, hence the name Madivaru for this Maldives dive site, which is also known as Hukrueli Faru. During the North East Monsoon, Madivaru is a superb Manta Ray cleaning station. The coral reef slopes down gently from its highest point at 8 meters to the Atoll floor at about 30 meters.

There are many cleaning stations along this 1 km reef, but the point where the Manta Rays are most active is halfway along the northern side. Current at Madivaru can be strong at times and can create a funnel effect due to the coral reef formation. Divers should be prepared to make a safety stop in open water at Madivaru and a safety balloon is necessary.

Manta Rays Gather at Maldives Dive Sites

Maldives Dive Site #4 – HP Reef

If you were asked to choose the best Maldives dive site between HP Reef and Nassimo Thila, the wise thing to do would be vote for both and rank them both equally as they are two of the most spectacular sites in the Maldives. Both HP Reef and display excellent soft coral growth and an abundant fish life. The best diving at HP Reef is found on the southern side of the reef and when the current is flowing into the Atoll (East to West). During mild current, you should swim slowly, while observing the coral blocks, caves and overhangs. The coral blocks and the caves at HP Reef are filled with multicolored soft coral and you should keep your eyes open for the many invertebrates, including nudibranchs, leaf fish and many more. Eagle Rays, schooling Silver Jacks and Batfish are common at HP Reef. Strong currents are sometimes found at this Maldives dive site and a surface balloon is necessary.

Maldives Dive Site #5 – Nassimo Thila

Nassimo Thila is an oval-shaped Thila displaying a good variety of colourful, soft corals. The most interesting aspect of this Maldives Dive Site is the randomly scattered pinnacles. Spend as much time as possible around the scattered pinnacles but limit your depth to maximize bottom time as the scattered pinnacles go down to more than 30 meters.

Currents at Nassimo Thila are usually strong, so it is only recommended for advanced divers. Depending on the strength of the currents, many pelagics can be seen near the coral reef at Nassimo Thila or in the deeper water just off the reefs, including Giant Trevallies, Jacks, Dogtooth Tuna and many more. A surface balloon is a must as this Maldives dive site is subjected to heavy boat traffic from the nearby resort island

Click here for a complete guide to Maldives Dive Sites.

Nassimo Thila is an oval-shaped Thila displaying a good variety of colourful, soft corals. The most interesting aspect of Nassimo Thila is the randomly scattered pinnacles. Spend as much time as possible around the scattered pinnacles but limit your depth to maximize bottom time as the scattered pinnacles go down to more than 30 meters.

Currents at Nassimo Thila are usually strong, so it is only recommended for advanced divers. Depending on the strength of the currents, many pelagics can be seen near the coral reef at Nassimo Thila or in the deeper water just off the reefs, including Giant Trevallies, Jacks, Dogtooth Tuna and many more. A surface balloon is a must as the dive site is subjected to heavy boat traffic from the nearby resort island.

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Maldives Diving Special Offers

Benin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:33:30 +0000

Current Special Offers on Maldives Diving Holidays

Maldives Dive Travel is currently offering a selection of great special deals, making your diving holiday more affordable than ever before. Check out the following deals and book your 2010 scuba diving holiday in the Maldives now.

Carina – Special Marine Biology Scuba Cruise, 8-22 February, 2010

Diving Holiday on the Carina Liveaboard

Explore the Maldivian reefs under the expert guidance of two marine biologists and PADI-Certified Dive Instructors: Mary Eichler-Bilek & Leo Bilek, Marine Biologists and PADI Instructors on board Carina from 8 to 22 February, 2010. This cruise has a very last-minute price of just US$ 2.660 per person. The cruise start is confirmed, a few places are still open for booking.

Carina Marine Biology Tour Itinerary

Depending on weather conditions, this scuba diving safari is planned to leave Male on February 8, travel around the South Male, Felidhu, Ari and Rasdhoo Atolls (weather permitting) before returning to Male on February 22. Furthermore, the route will follow the specific marine life upon which Mary Eichler-Bilek’s marine biology workshops will focus.

Marine Biologists Mary Eichler Bilek and Leo Bilek lead Maldives Diving Safari

Special Marine Biology Themed Cruise

This scuba diving cruise is ideal for those who love the ocean and all of its inhabitants. After ten years of diving experience in the Maldives, Mary is an expert in marine biology and she enjoys passing this knowledge on to others during her popular marine biology cruises. In-depth dive briefings and workshops will be given in English and German throughout the cruise to help participants to see the reefs and their inhabitants in a new light.

PADI-Recognised Specialty Course Available On Board

A very special feature of this cruise is the opportunity of taking the Night Naturalist Specialty Course, a programme developed by Mary herself and recognised by PADI. This is available at an extra price and should be paid on board.

Don’t miss out on this great diving holiday, reserve your space today by contacting contact Maldives Dive Travel.

Galileo Explorer Tour March 11-22 Jan 18, 2010

This once-in-a-lifetime, 11-night safari begins with a 50-minute flight from Male to Kaadhdhedhoo in the Huvadhoo Atoll (also called Suvadiva Atoll), the largest atoll in the world. This is a particularly untouched part of the Maldives with only a handful of exclusive resorts operating here and very few dive boats exploring the area, meaning that there are many dive sites just waiting to be explored. Guests on this safari will have the opportunity to dive at many undiscovered dive sites and visit many pristine islands – some inhabited and others completely secluded.

Galileo Hosts Special Explorer Cruise

Galileo Explorer Tour Itinerary

Depending on weather conditions, Galileo will travel around several of the southernmost atolls of the Maldives, ending at Huvadhoo airport in Kaadhdhedhoo, from where a flight will return to Male. This is the perfect scuba safari for divers looking to explore the unknown treasures of the Indian Ocean.

Take advantage of this amazing opportunity at the unbeatable price of only EUR 1,386 per person for 11 nights. A few places are still available; to reserve yours, please contact Maldives Dive Travel today.

GALILEO Explorer Tour March 11-22

Jan 18, 2010

Depending on weather conditions, the safari will travel around several of the southernmost atolls of the Maldives, ending at Huvadhoo airport in Kaadhdhedhoo, from where a flight will return to Male. This is the perfect scuba safari for divers looking to explore the unknown treasures of the Indian Ocean.

Galileo Mar 11-22 Southern Atoll Explorer Tour
Take advantage of this amazing opportunity at the unbeatable price of
only EUR 1,386 per person for 11 nights

Galileo is one of the most well-equipped safari ships in the Maldives, perfect for a true expedition-style adventure.

What’s Included in the Galileo Scuba Diving Cruise?

- Accommodation in air-conditioned cabins with window, en-suite shower (hot water) and WC. Daily cleaning. Towels provided.
- Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Tea and coffee are available free of charge at all times plus one bottle of water per person per day.
- 27 dives
- Tanks with DIN/INT 12 lts, lead belts, extra diving boat
- Guidance by a PADI-qualified and highly experienced English-speaking dive instructor
- Use of fishing gear – local style, including hook, fishing line, weight and baits.
- Island-hopping, snorkelling service
- Picnic on an uninhabited island (depending on weather and route).
- On the last day a trip to the capital city Male will be offered
- Pick-up & drop-off at Male’ International Airport to connect with international flights on first and last day of the cruise, before noon.

Price does not include:

- International or Domestic air fares ( Male-Kaadhdhedhoo is 217 return flight)
- Airport taxes
- Dive/snorkel equipment rental
- Beverages, except those mentioned above
- Bed Tax: 8 per person per night is charged on board
- Dive and travel insurance
- Transfer supplements for arrivals/departures on days other than scheduled boat arrival/departure
- Fuel surcharge: in the event that crude oil reaches USD $100 per barrel on the international market, a EUR 6 fee will be charged per person per night
- Nitrox is available for EUR 5 per filling
- Additional dives will be charged at EUR 34 each

A few places are still available; to reserve yours, please contact us today

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