The underwater world of the Maldives. Dive into the amazing underwater world of the unsurpassed Maldives. Dangerous inhabitants of the Indian Ocean

The beginning of the tourism boom in the Maldives in the 70s of the 20th century is associated with coral reefs. The first island to establish a tourist center in 1972 was Kurumba in North Male Atoll. In those days, about 90% of tourists were diving enthusiasts. Undersea world The Maldives, to this day, attracts divers from all over the world.

And this is not surprising - there is everything that divers can only dream of: schools of colorful fish, friendly manta rays and dolphins, reef sharks, underwater rocks, canyons, coral gardens and wrecks.

Today, only 15% of the islands' guests are divers who come here to see the underwater world of the Maldives; the islands have become popular due to their spa centers. And it is not surprising that vacationers are clearly divided into 2 groups: those who prefer beach holiday, and supporters of direct contact with the sea and the nature of the reefs, who prefer the so-called. dive safari. Typically their voyages last from 7 to 14 days and include several dozen different underwater dives.

The most popular among divers are the channels connecting the lagoon and the sea (for example, Emboodhu, Kanahaldi Kandu), as well as the underwater hills of the Maldives (for example, Kanduma Thila, Kudara Thila, Maaya Thila). If you want to better understand the various features of the seabed topography, you can explore, for example, Kudara Tila (“Broken Rock”), a canyon that cut the underwater hill into two parts. It is also worth going to the outer part of the reef, to the eastern part of the South Male Atoll, in the vicinity of the islands of Lohifushi, Guraidhoo and Kanduma. The slope of the underwater mountain, dotted with grottoes, drops sheerly to a depth of over 30 meters.

When diving in a canal, it is best to sink to the bottom and stay longer at its mouth. However, you must remember that according to the rules, diving is allowed to a depth of no more than 30 meters. After the disturbed reef inhabitants get used to the uninvited guests, divers will be able to admire the rich colors of the underwater world of the Maldives. Shrimp, lobsters, snaketails, starfish, urchins, snails and octopuses hide in the reef's crevices. Divers are surrounded by colorful schools of clownfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish and triggerfish. Sometimes a surgeon fish or a Moorish idol dances in bubbles of air, a gloomy Napoleon flashes by, and a gentle manta ray invites you to play. However, not all the inhabitants of the reef are peaceful. An encounter with the poisonous spines of a stingray, the sharp teeth of a barracuda or the terrifying predatory moray eels can end in disaster. Shark lovers can recommend the underwater valley of Ari Beach Beiro, well known to scuba divers, located on the outer side of the South Ari Atoll, where whale sharks feed. Swimming in the company of these peaceful giants, often exceeding 10 meters in length, makes an indelible impression. In turn, the Mai Yafushi reefs in North Ari Atoll were once popular as places to feed sharks. Despite the fact that feeding them is now prohibited here, they still gather as soon as they hear the sounds of approaching boats.

The underwater world of the Maldives is in danger. However, there are also places where the reef dies. There is no consensus on the reasons for this phenomenon. This may be due to El Niño, which is also why a significant portion of the world's coral populations have suffered. A likely cause may also be climate change and ocean water temperature, since excessively high temperatures are fatal to reef-forming corals. The development of tourist centers also causes pollution and overgrowth of coastal waters and, as a result, destruction of the reef.

To protect this natural ecosystem, 25 environmental protection zones have been created where fishing and anchoring are prohibited. In addition to this, all types of reef corals are protected by a special convention (CITES). Some atolls were declared shark sanctuaries in 1998, and since then there has been a ban on catching sharks within a 12-kilometer radius.

One of the attractions of diving in the Maldives is the opportunity to explore the remains of sunken ships. Some of them date back to the colonial period, and some were recently sunk specifically for the entertainment of divers (for example, Kuda Giri, a Japanese cargo ship). One of the most visited is the wreck of the Maldivian Victoria, located at a depth of 35 meters on the western side of Hulule Island.

Corals in the underwater world of the Maldives. The warm equatorial waters are home to various groups of animals with calcareous skeletons. These are mainly madrepore corals, and among them are acropores, porous corals, spherical meandrines, and brain corals. Their skeletons, mixed with gravel, sand and calcareous silt, into which particles of bones of other marine organisms (fish, oysters, snails) have grown, form an underwater shaft - a coral reef. An important element of the reefs, which is also part of their limestone foundation, are other colonies of living organisms, such as gorgonians, hydroid invertebrates, bryozoans, sponges and red algae. Reef-forming corals need warm water with a temperature of 18 to 35 C, so they are not found above 30 - 35 degrees north and south latitude.

The Maldives is sinking. The Maldives is in danger. They will disappear from the surface of the earth in approximately 100 - 200 years. Such alarming information is increasingly appearing in the media and is associated with global warming. An increase in temperature provokes a rise in the level of ocean waters by approximately 2–3 mm per year, sometimes even by 1 cm, while the most high point Maldives reaches 2.4 meters. The archipelago will be in danger if, in accordance with UN forecasts, the water level rises by 59 cm by 2100. In this regard, representatives of the Union of Small Island States(A0SIS) organized a meeting in the Maldives to highlight the fact that climate change threatens the fundamental human right to live in a safe and secure environment. But while the islands are not hidden by the depths of the sea, travelers can relax in luxury hotels, enjoy the pristine beauty and explore the underwater world of the Maldives.

In the final post, I collected photographs of the underwater world of the Maldives and its inhabitants. This is a real paradise on Earth - warm clear water, rich vegetation and kilometers of picturesque beaches. Best place there is no place for diving and relaxation.

The Maldives archipelago consists of approximately 1,200 small islands, believed to be of volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a broken ring. The first Redin settlements were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. According to numerous testimonies of sailors, for a long time the islands were ruled by female sultanas...

The population of the archipelago, excluding guests of the country and tourists, is approximately 400 thousand people. The capital of the Republic of Maldives is the port town of Male. The population of the capital is only 105 thousand people, others major cities not in the country:

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Coastal waters are teeming with a wide variety of life forms. The coral reefs that form the islands of the archipelago are home to a great variety of shellfish, several species of starfish (including quite rare ones), lobsters and crabs:

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Approximately 2,000 species of fish have been found in the coastal waters of the Maldives, of which 300 are reef fish. The largest whale sharks are 20 meters long:

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In the next post I will talk about how I drowned a camera for 400,000 rubles, but that will happen next year. Happy New Year!

The Maldives has long been considered a Mecca for scuba divers. It's rare to see such an abundance of marine life. Even with a simple mask and snorkel you will be able to immerse yourself in a fantastic underwater jungle: see with your own eyes in a natural environment habitats of a giant sea turtle, fish of all shades of the rainbow, an octopus, an elegant small reef shark, a moray eel, a barracuda pike, a graceful stingray... And most importantly, for this there is no need to go on additional excursions, all this can be enjoyed every day while swimming snorkel around your island hotel.

Maldives- one of those few places where everyone, from beginner to expert, will find excellent conditions for scuba diving. The resorts operate special schools for both those preparing for their first dive and experienced scuba divers. Even beginners can dive in areas with soft corals, gentle slopes and plenty of tropical fish. Experienced divers have the opportunity to dive at night and drift in the underwater current, as well as many steep walls, caves and even sunken ships.

You can swim underwater in the Maldives everywhere - both in the lagoon near the resort and on remote reefs.

In the Maldives– 26 atolls consisting of many small coral islands. Each atoll is surrounded by a large lagoon with a depth of 40 - 90 m. The calm water in the lagoon creates favorable conditions for the formation of branching and reef-building corals, where about 900 species of tropical fish are found.

The underwater world of the coral reefs of the Maldives is striking in its beauty- many tropical reef fish live here: angelfish, groupers, scorpion fish, clown fish, wrasses, butterfly fish. You can see huge moray eels and sea turtles. But the most vivid memories for divers remain from meetings with other inhabitants of the Maldivian waters: tuna and barracudas, huge Napoleons, nurse sharks, reef and whale sharks, manta rays.

The lagoons have channels that cut through the outer reefs, and straits behind the lagoons that separate the atolls. And in the channels and in the straits - strong current, providing a wealth of marine life, and the gentle slopes with overhangs provide refuge for a variety of fish, crabs and lobsters. The straits offer excellent drifting opportunities; The depth of the straits is more than 200 m. The channels can be both shallow and very deep.

The water on the outside of the atolls is very clean, and the marine life is extremely varied and full of colour. Some reefs on the western side of the Male Atolls are favored by starfish, which, unfortunately, cause significant damage to the corals.

Each island is fringed by a so-called house reef, giving excellent snorkeling opportunities at almost all resorts. Visibility in the lagoons near the islands is usually good (up to 40 m).

Undoubtedly underwater world of the Maldives impressive and breathtaking. They are charming on land, but simply beautiful under water. The unusually clear water attracts divers from all over the world, as do the hundreds of species of fish, shellfish and other marine animals that live in these waters.

Diving in the Maldives - video

Snorkeling is available at most Maldives resorts. Diving centers welcome tourists of all skill levels. Even those who have never swam underwater before have the opportunity to try it here. Firstly, a beginner must take a special course at a diving school. Almost all schools issue an international certificate upon completion. Having received instructions from an experienced teacher who explains in detail all the details of the upcoming immersion, you need to take a theory test to check what you have learned. Once the test is passed, you can begin the practical part. Diving centers provide any type of training, as well as offer all kinds of equipment and transport. You can go to sea on a traditional fishing boat, called a dhoni here. The choice of dive sites is huge, for any level of experience. Most dive sites are located near the islands.

Rare attracts attention green sea turtle. Sea turtles migrate long distances using the Earth's magnetic field for orientation. Adult females usually lay their eggs on the same bank where they hatched. Sea turtles contribute to the development of two ecosystems - they clear the bottom of excess vegetation, and also maintain the natural balance on the seashore. The sharp decline in the number of these animals is entirely human responsibility. Turtle meat, shells and eggs are highly valued in many countries. Now, this species (along with 6 other species of sea turtles) is on the verge of extinction. Some divers unintentionally kill them when they sit down to ride them, not realizing that the turtle needs to surface to breathe air.

A flock of barracudas attracts attention gray reef shark. These sharks leave unforgettable experience from everyone who manages to meet them. Despite the fact that these are very active and inquisitive animals, they do not attack divers without reason. Attracted by the abundance of animals that inhabit the reef, these sharks come here to hunt fish, shellfish, octopus and crustaceans - shrimp and crabs.

Usually sedentary moray eels pose a much greater danger to divers than sharks. Moray eels are attracted to shiny things and are known to jump out of their burrows to snatch a swimmer's ring or bracelet. Their large, bulging eyes are of no use here, and they rely more on their well-developed sense of smell when hunting. Adults reach about 1.5 meters in length. They swim out of their caves only to hunt small fish, mollusks and crustaceans. Therefore, divers do not often see them in the open. And for those who succeed, this is a rare chance to observe their original swimming style.

Huge cuttlefish, who looks like an octopus, is a master of camouflage. Her skin is covered with special cells that reflect light in different directions, allowing her to blend into the environment when she is lying in ambush. She also has strange blue-green blood - a real alien in the underwater world of the Maldives.

Lionfish, or as it is also called lion fish or zebra fish, covered with sharp needles that secrete poison. It will not kill an adult, but the wound will hurt for a very long time.

Words alone cannot convey how charming and fabulously beautiful it is. underwater world of the Maldives, it’s worthy to come here and see all this splendor with your own eyes.

Holidays in the Maldives are not only about relaxation in spa complexes, dinners in gourmet restaurants and a serene pastime on deserted beaches with dazzling white sand. The coastal island waters are no less interesting, because more than 1000 species of fish and 3 times more shellfish live here. In addition, each island is surrounded by sea coral gardens, which can be seen even without diving - the water here is so clean and the underwater fauna is rich. Since snorkeling and diving are an integral part of traveling on fairy islands, many are interested in the question of whether there are dangerous fish in the Maldives. In this article we will tell you what awaits you when meeting marine life Indian Ocean.

There are no aggressive predatory fish in the Maldives

Dangerous sharks - myth or reality?

One of the main fears of all travelers is the possibility of meeting a shark. We hasten to please you: there are sharks in the Maldives, but they do not attack people. Despite the fact that in coastal waters you can find giant whale sharks, whose length reaches 12 m, harmless reef fish and considered aggressive hammerheads, cases of these fish attacking people in the waters near the Maldives have never been recorded. Therefore, feel free to take fins and a mask to fully enjoy the underwater beauty and take spectacular photos with the world’s most dangerous predators.

Not far from the beach you can meet reef sharks, the length of which usually does not exceed 1 m. Sometimes other fish swim to the shore, which, however, prefer to live in blue waters, far from civilization. If you are lucky enough to see a shark, you should watch it from afar, without swimming too close, and especially without trying to touch it, even if you really want to. Although the local fish are not known for their aggressive behavior, if you anger them, you can run into a retaliatory attack from a living creature: of course, it’s not fatal for you, but it’s not pleasant.

Reef shark does not attack humans

Dangerous inhabitants of the Indian Ocean

As with any habitat, the coastal waters of the Maldives have predators and creatures that can fend for themselves, so remember, if you swim close to any fish, they may perceive this as a violation of their personal boundaries. Any Living being requires careful treatment and respect. However, for the most part, the local fish are harmless and extremely interesting. Even in the coastal reefs you will be surrounded by bright schools of colorful butterfly fish, parrotfish and angelfish, orange “clowns” and bright red soldier fish: all of them are absolutely safe for humans.

If we talk about dangerous inhabitants, it is worth noting that they are not found often, and they are never the first to attack.

Here is a list of fish that it is better not to disturb again and be attentive to them.

Lionfish. Graceful and elegant, they stand out with their seemingly translucent motley needles and fins. They use them to drive their smaller brethren into the reefs. If a person touches them, the sensations will not be pleasant.

Be careful when diving so as not to accidentally touch the lionfish

Surgeons and rhinoceroses. These fish have become dangerous due to their ability to defend themselves well. Their dorsal fins are sharp, like blades, so swimming up to a school of these sea creatures can result in accidental cuts.

Do not swim close to the surgeon fish on the reef, its fins are like blades

Triggerfish. If you see big fish, resembling a three-dimensional bubble of a triangular shape, with a horn protruding from above, it is better to swim away. During the egg-laying period, triggerfish show aggression: if you find yourself near their nest, they can attack and bite quite painfully, thanks to their sharp and large teeth.

Moray eels. You can see these unattractive-looking inhabitants of the seabed in the crevices of reefs. If you don't touch them, they are absolutely safe, like most other fish. To avoid aggression, do not put your hands under stones: a bite from two rows of teeth can result in a fairly large wound, which increases the risk of infection.

And don’t stick your fingers into crevices in the corals, there may be toothy moray eels hiding there

Stingrays. If you dream of seeing a stingray, in the Maldives it is quite possible. If a sea creature infected with electricity swims by, have time to take a stunning photo without thinking about the danger: they will not attack you. Danger can arise if a stingray is accidentally stepped on, as they like to spend their time buried in the sand. The same applies to sea urchins - if you step on them through carelessness, you will have to suffer for a long time: their spines are poisonous, so your foot will swell for several days.

How to avoid becoming a victim of dangerous fish in the Maldives?

As they say: forewarned is forearmed. Despite the fact that you now know what dangerous fish live in coastal waters, there is an extremely high probability that you will not see them during your entire vacation, and even if you do see them, you will not get hurt. Follow the simple rules of interaction with marine life and be completely confident in their and your safety:

As mentioned above - don't touch anything! This, by the way, is the basic law of all divers. You can watch the fish even from a close distance, but you don’t need to touch them again. This is dangerous not only for you, but also for them. Here, for example, is a bubble fish: if you pull its tail, it instantly inflates 5-10 times, but it can only do this 15 times in its entire life. We are sure that you do not want to shorten the life of a harmless and pretty ocean resident.

. Don't touch the coral. This not only risks accidentally touching a moray eel or other dangerous fish hiding in the sea garden, but also causing injury. The edges of corals are very sharp, and even an accidental touch can leave a mark. In no case do we recommend that you break off corals as a souvenir: their restoration will take many years, and you may face $500 fine. Let's take care of our planet.

When snorkeling, swimming and walking along the beach, wear special rubberized swim shoes. As mentioned above, stingrays and sea ​​urchins can hide in the sand, and corals can cause injury even if accidentally touched. Also try not to step on rocks: they may hide in them. warty fish and stone fish, capable of attacking.

During any vacation, including underwater, it is necessary respect someone else's territory and rules of life, then no dangerous fish will threaten you in the Maldives. Colorful and funny creatures await you in the Maldives at any time of the year: do not intrude too much into their world, and they will give you an unforgettable and only pleasant experience.