~ Maldives ~

~ Maldives is one of the top diving holiday destinations in the world. This amazing archipelago of over 1100 islands is home to a wide variety of dive sites and an even wider variety of marine life. While there is an extensive diversity of reef-dwelling fish and smaller marine creatures, the real attraction of this diving holiday destination is the larger oceanic species that can be found here, including the whale shark, manta ray, eagle ray, grey reef shark, napoleon wrasse and several other shark species. The Maldives is one of the few diving holiday destinations where divers can enjoy whale shark encounters throughout the year.

3 famous Maldives dive sites:
1. Banana Reef
The first Maldives dive site ever discovered, Banana Reef remains among the most exciting. In the depths of Banana Reef, expect to see gutters, caves and overhangs teeming with tender coral and extravagant fish-life variety. Watch out for the superbly named oriental sweetlips and giant squirrelfish among other luminaries. Beware underwater turbulence.

2. Sunlight Thila
Sunlight Thila consists of two reefs that lure giant manta rays between March and October, when southern winds whisk carpets of tasty plankton into the area. Between the reefs, the 70-metre long sand base sports coral formations that attract brightly coloured wrass. Manta rays also roll up in strength. In a single session, you may see as many as 10 mantas, along with beginner divers and veterans alike.

3. Cocoa Corner
For one of the best freestyle shark shows around in the Maldives, head to Cocoa Corner. With luck, you will be greeted by scores of Grey Reef Sharks in the shape of big mothers and newborn babies on outings together. Eagle rays and schooling jack fish also enter the picture