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Maldives Sports and Recreation
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Fishing
Maldives boasts of some of the best fishing
grounds in the world as over 99% of its total area consists
of water. There are over a thousand species of fish, some
of which are indigenous to the Maldives such as the Maldives
clown fish. The methods of fishing vary depending on the type
of fish and the time of the day. Most resorts offer night
fishing using the traditional local style fishing line with
weights. Big game fishing is an upmarket option at some resorts,
but there is a `tag and release' policy, so you can't keep
your catch. However, equipment availability is minimum and
it is advisable to bring your rod and lures. The Maldives
practices a strong conservation policy. The use of harpoon
guns and hunting of marine mammals such as whales, turtles,
dolphins and large fish like the Whale Shark is strictly prohibited.
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Diving and Snorkeling
Maldives is famed for its rare underwater beauty and has some
of the best dive sites in the world. Many visit the Maldives
repeatedly for the sole purpose of diving. The combination
of the diversity of marine life and the highest level of visibility
that one could expect - visibility of up to 60m - and warm
temperatures throughout the year makes diving in the Maldives
an experience to be enjoyed over and over again.
All resorts in the Maldives have professional dive schools
with multi-lingual instructors and conduct courses for beginners
as well as the advanced. All equipment required for snorkeling
or diving is also available at the resort. Many of them have
excellent house reefs. Just a short swim from the beach and
snorkellers too can experience the same pleasures from the
surface. The top five dive sites in Maldives are the Maldive
Victory Wreck, Mushimasmingili Thila - Shark Thila, Guraidhoo
Corner, Kuda Rah Thila - Broken Rock, Banana Reef.
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Surfing
Surfing has become more popular in the islands
since there are excellent breaks accessible from resorts close
to Malι. Surfing safaris to the outer atolls can also be arranged
with a reputable surf travel operator because the Maldives
is definitely not the sort of place where a surfer can rock
up with a few boards and head for the waves.
The Maldives, a group of 1200 tropical islands
that form twenty six atolls are every surfer's dream of a
tropical island paradise. The offshore wind conditions in
Maldives around March to November provide one of the most
unique surfing experiences on this planet. The best way to
look for a perfect surf site is to travel by "dhonis" as they
are suited perfectly to enter shallow lagoons, visit other
islands and are also safe for anchorage at night.
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Cruising
It is believed by many people that a cruise is the best way
of appreciating the unique beauty of the Maldives. There are
many possibilities that are offered by cruise operators. There
is a choice between a diving safari and a relaxing cruise
through the atolls. Most of the cruisers use the central atolls
of Faadippolu Atoll, North and South Malι Atoll, Ari Atoll
and Felidu Atoll where services for tourists are more readily
available. These atolls also have some of the best diving
and surfing spots in the Maldives. Most of the vessels are
equipped with professional diving equipment and staffed by
qualified diving instructors.
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Maldive Victory Wreck
The wreck of the Maldives Victory lies on the western side
of the airport-island, Hulule, precisely near the first quarter
of the southern side of the landing strip. The wreck lies
parallel to the reef on the sandy sea bed at a depth of 35
metres (115 feet), upright and with the bowsprit pointing
north.
The location of the wreck is marked by a buoy, to which boats
can be moored. The powerful currents between Male and Hulule
make it absolutely essential to use a line to dive and to
return to the surface. Normally one starts from the main mast,
which rises to a depth of just 12 metres (about 40 feet) beneath
the surface of the water.
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Guraidhoo Corner
This site lies on the east side of the South Male Atoll, outside
of the reef. To be more exact, this is the south side of the
channel mouth. Nearby islands are Losfushi, Guraidhoo and
Kandooma.
Large hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, sailfish, large schools
of oriental weetlips, bannerfish, large black-and-white striped
snappers, large and friendly humphead wrasses have been sighted
here.
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