Arcitecture of the reef

Diving

Publicerad: 2009-10-21

Why is the diving so amazin in the Maldives? The coral islands of the is like a huge machine for collecting endless shoals of fish, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. South of Sri Lanka there is virtually nothing else to be found in 7000 kms between Indonesia and Africa. Of corse every fish will have to stop here. The Ocean currents breaks against enormous reef walls that embrace the Maldives, slides in and out between the atolls through narrow and wide channels. It's there, where the current is the strongest, you will find the big pelagic stuff, wishful thinking for every diver.

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Giri, Thila och Kandu?

Inside the atolls in more shallow waters, there are giris* and thilas*. They can be steep och gently descend to the bottom of the sea. There are caves, overhangs and tunnels. Every kind can show innumerable species. Nowhere in the world can you find as much underwater diversity as in the Maldives. Astounding variety in every conceivable colour.

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Manta on legendary Fushivaru Thila - Lhaviyani Atoll

*Thila

A coral formation rising steeply from the lagoon bottom to 5-15 meters from the surface. Like a spectacular underwater mountain with divers circling like birds around it. The top of the thila is bursting with the life of hundreds, even thousands, of fish and coral while the sies have all kinds of cavess and holes givin shelter for moray eels and smaller fish. Larger pelagics also come here for a snack.

Kandu means "channel" in divehi and the pass between islands, reefs and atolls. Kandus usually subject to strong currents creating an environment great for soft corals. The water inside the atoll is breeding ground or plankton. When the outgoing currents bring the planktonrich water through the channel into the big blue large species like manta and whale sharks come to feed. During the southwest monsoon (roughly May-November) water pours in general out of the atoll on the east side, and during nortwest monsoon the outgoing flow is to the west. This is very important information when you are choosing which island to stay on. All depending on what time of year you are visiting the Maldives.

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Komandoo - the channel is clearly visible. Dolphins pass every day.

*Giri

A giri is another type of coral formation that can be found just below the surface. In many ways reminding of a thila, the top part is far to shalloow for divers. Both thilas and giris can be found in channels (like the famous Fushivaru Thila in Lhaviyani atoll) as well as inside atolls.

Made for fantastic diving

Visibility in Maldivian waters can be an incredible 70 meters along the reef and down towards the deep. Ths means perfect conditions when studying whatever chooses to pass that day and hour. Incoming currents means clearer water and thus betetr visibility, while outgoing currents carries plankton and some sediment, slightly dimming the view. It's good to remember though, that plankton is what attracts manta and whale sharks. The outer reef looks about the same in telation to historical sealevels ect. Typically there are some kind of terrace around 3-6 meters, 15-30 meters and at 50 meters depth. After that it's straight to the bottom of the mighty ocean 2000 - 4000 meters down. Inside the atoll it's rare to have larger depths than 80 meters. maldiverna maldives snorkla klart vatten

Stunning visibility - a characteristic of the Maldives

The circle of life that builds coral, foloowed by erosion and more coral has left a varied and impressive reef construction. Between the above mentioned terraces there are narrow valleys, caves and "Chimneys", vertical walls, and each and every one of those is a tiny ecosystem of its own. The slower you move below the surface, the more you will discover. Take it easy and feel the magic of underwater meditation. Pure medicin for the stressed. Not a high bloodpressur in sight. There are almost 200 species of hard coral alone and more than a 1000 of fish, and so on. When it comes to biological diversity it's an environment comparable with the great rain forests, if slightly more wet. Baros Divers slogan ”The Reef – The Rainforest of the ocean” – is very fitting. All resorts have dive centers and lots of possibilities for anyone who wants to get their divers certificate, take courses or snorkel. I was completely stunned the first time (back in 1999 folks) I got a peek of this sunken world and realised how much I'd missed. So far. Go see. You'll love it.

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