MALDIVES AGGRESSOR: General Info
Odd thing; please ponder this. Some respected maritime scientists & climatologists – now these are not cable TV kooks -- predict that if global warming continues at its currently steady pace, it’s possible that within several decades there are a few ocean nations worldwide that actually might start sliding beneath the high tides, bit by bit, starting at the low coastal rims & progressing inexorably to inland sectors. This might seem like science fiction, but oceanic experts are watching this glacially-paced trend with an eagle eye today. They are worried. Scientists have earmarked tropical islands such as the Tuamotus in the South Pacific & the Maldives Islands in the Indian Ocean. That’s because these islands are so low to the ocean water level, with virtually no high hills, that their coastal lands might get gradually worn away by rising sea levels when storm surges pound away. If melting polar ice masses cause ocean levels to rise dramatically, some scientists theorize that beautiful isles like the Maldives actually might become engulfed someday. Drowned for lack of mountains. Imagine that. Whoa, a country is here today, gone tomorrow, swept away by the very sea that sustained its good people all these centuries ... While this is still an unproven theory, it holds water for some. That certainly encourages us to wonder if perhaps we should all visit the Maldives soon, & “get it while you can” as rock singer Janis Joplin once belted out. We are getting this persistently prodding feeling about a lot of the vulnerable coral reefs on our shrinking planet. There's never a better time than NOW to do all the things we love with all the people we love -- don't you think ?
OK fast forward to more entertaining stuff ! Here’s an easy way to find these magically remote Maldives on a world map. First off, spin your globe over to India & move down to the far southern tip of the Indian sub-continent. Then focus on the sweeping expanse of the Indian Ocean. Now trace one line about 500 miles southwest of India’s Cape Comorin & another line about 1,800 miles due east of Somalia -- & where these lines intersect, there you have it, dive buddies ! That’s where MALDIVES AGGRESSOR will be plying the visually hypnotic blue waters of the Maldives.
Not exactly a ho-hum tourist trap, eh? Indeed not. This Indian Ocean island nation is actually one of the most excitingly remote sectors of our planet’s ocean realm, in the sense of being removed by easy-breezy air travel from the USA’s coastal air travel hubs of LAX (Los Angeles), IAH (Houston), EWR (Newark) & MIA (Miami). That’s why the Maldives never have been inundated by hordes of beach-stomping tourists, like Cozumel, the Northern Bahamas or Jamaica. This is one of our crowded planet’s most precious & elusive marine resources. The Maldives still offer peace & quiet, plus surreal cerulean blue waters that are literally teeming with lush corals & exotic fish species, nearly everywhere you point your mask. This is Eye Candy Central, folks, no two ways about it. Eye Candy & Soul Candy too. Only the most jaded of human hearts would not beat faster here in the remote islets of the Maldives Islands diving sectors.
Now imagine for a bit, here’s an isolated, mysterious island nation which is blessed with hundreds of square miles of crystal clear blue water, & dotted with nearly 1,200 different magical islands spread lazily over 26 separate atolls. Here is one way to gauge just how pristine & unique the Maldives Islands are. Only 200 of these colorful islands are inhabited, & 87 more have only one single resort on each of them. In general, the Maldives Islands are small, flat, & ringed along their coastlines with gorgeous white sand. The atolls are complex island groups separated by deep water, covering hundreds of square miles. The Maldives seem created with divers & snorkelers in mind, it's apparent to any dedicated reg puffer or breathholder.
Grinning apologies to Mr. Paladin of Old West TV days; it’s time to let our imaginations roll freely now. We all can adopt a maritime motto of HAVE WETSUIT, WILL TRAVEL. Ready for that ? A moderately light wetsuit will work for most divers here, since the waters are so warm. And here is what you will find …
Visiting even one isolated atoll in the Maldives can be an oceanic adventure all by itself. You may be boggled by the sheer abundance of drift dives through cuts in the atoll, deep & steep walls on the outside of the atoll, plus pristine hard corals within the protected lagoons. If that's not enough, there's scads of pinnacle dive sites too (pinnacles are called "Thila" in theMaldives). These inspiring oceanic pinnacles reach up from profound Indian Ocean depths to soar within several feet of the surface. In fact, a better fishlife magnet has seldom been found on planet Earth, the locals maintain.
Now back to the Maldives scuba diving ship, mates. This brand new, 110 foot, MALDIVES AGGRESSOR will cruise not just one, but three of the best & brightest atolls in the general region of the capital city (and international airport) of Male. These expansive atolls (North Male, South Male, & Ari Atoll), encompass hundreds of square miles of ocean & offer excellent diving on nearly all points of the compass. And the MALDIVES AGGRESSOR will explore the atolls of the Maldives in an adventuresome yet safe & uniquely efficient manner. Here is how the newMALDIVES AGGRESSOR scuba diving system works.
Not only will 16 guests enjoy fine luxury accommodations on board this new vessel, but all of the diving will be done from a custom-built, 55 ft. dive tender called the “Diving Dhoni.” that shadows the mother ship every day. This second vessel will accompany Ocean Dancer on all of its Maldives scuba diving voyages, & features a very spacious dive deck, sun protection, & easy entry/exit. The luxury "tender" will cruise at 12 knots & will have all of the tanks, compressors, Nitrox station, camera tables, & diving amenities on board. Truly an efficient boat combo for a one-of-a-kind destination. Maldives scuba diving has never been this streamlined & hassle-free, funseekers ! We are feeling stoked just thinking about it from afar. Can you feel your inner adrenal teen re-emerging yet ?
OK back to comfy reality. MALDIVES AGGRESSOR offers accommodations for 16 guests in air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Scuba diving is offered from a separate, dive support vessel to maximize comfort & safety. We offer good facilities for photographers & videographers including some video processing services. MALDIVES AGGRESSOR has been built to meet the highest standard of service for the Maldives scuba diving market & is proudly part of the world class live-aboards in the respected “Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet”, our longtime friends & travel planning partners.
This new Maldives scuba diving yacht is a joint venture ofDancer Fleet Diving & new partner/owner Ocean Stripe Pvt Ltd, presenting the MALDIVES AGGRESSOR to a diving public rarin’ to go for a new overseas treat. Ocean Stripe Pvt Ltd was established 15 years ago by David Mesnard, a resident of the Maldives. David is a capable & experienced diver plus a PADI instructor with extensive knowledge of local marine life. After many years of renting boats to accommodate his growing dive business, David decided to build his own in order to provide first class service to his customers.
The MALDIVES AGGRESSOR & Diving Dhoni were built by Mr. Mesnard, specifically with the guests ofDancer Fleet Diving, Inc. in mind. David &Dancer Fleet met in 2003, started planning the new vessels, & the result is a stunning new live-aboard yacht + tender combination that will provide new levels of guest satisfaction in addition to great diving adventures for those lucky enough to secure staterooms.
David Mesnard has been diving the Maldives professionally for the last 15 years, & he truly knows the waters of this world-renowned archipelago intimately. MALDIVES AGGRESSOR & Diving Dhoni will transport our guests to the very best scuba diving delights that the Maldives Islands have to offer. The refurb of MALDIVES AGGRESSOR began in 2010 & this vessel is now ready to cruise the pristine waters of the Maldives. Dig in, sunseekers, your day is at hand. It’s ripe & ready for the plucking, this fresh fruit of the Indian Ocean -- the Maldives scuba diving delights of MALDIVES AGGRESSOR. Say, just reporting this, we are jazzed 2 D max ...
WHAT is this CELEBRATED MALDIVES DIVING LIKE ?
To experience the best of scuba diving in the Maldives Islands, you need to move strategically with the seasons & the currents. Diving from the “MALDIVES AGGRESSOR” allows this & gives you the optimum chance of seeing thrilling animals such as many species of large sharks & swift swooping manta rays. Your cruise will take you through the atolls to the very best of the dive sites & you can enjoy three dives a day as well as excursions to fishing islands plus a range of resort islands along the way. Our partners atDancer Fleet Diving / Dancer Fleet know all the best dives in these three Maldives sectors, & we plan the itinerary for each trip based on how best to flow with local weather conditions. There's no doubt that it's a safe & comfortable way to visit dive the amazing archipelago of the Maldives Islands.
So what’s at the heart of these storied Maldives; how did they get their geologic start? About 65 million years ago the islands of the Maldives were part of a huge volcanic mountain range under the Indian Ocean. When the volcanoes ceased to be active they submerged, sinking at a rate slow enough that coral formations grew gradually on their rims. This coral growth eventually became the fringing reefs of the atolls. Recent surveys have discovered that the depth of coral on the fringing reef is as deep as 2,100 m (6,400 ft), an astonishing statistic when you consider that a typical coral formation grows just 2 mm (0. 08 in) annually.
As continuous oceanic currents eroded the atolls' rims they carved some cool channels, & today these channels provide extraordinary diving. The tides of the Indian Ocean flow in & out through the channels, & in so doing concentrate millions & millions of microscopic plant cells, tiny marine animals & larvae, collectively called plankton. This rich sea soup provides food for many of the reef’s inhabitants. In turn, creatures further up the food chain are attracted from the ocean by the prospect of a good meal, & a rich & diverse marine community builds, layer by layer.
Inside most of the atolls is a complex formation of reefs. A number of these reefs are circular, enclosing a shallow lagoon, others irregular & shallowly submerged. All offer interesting & usually easy diving & excellent snorkeling. Some of the best diving is on submerged reefs called thilas; usually located in the middle of a channels, these rise from the atoll floor to within 10 m (33 ft) of the surface.
Reef life is prolific, with over 700 common fish species & many more still to be discovered & classified; invertebrate species are reckoned to be in their tens of thousands. For the sharp-eyed diver there are encounters with species like frogfish, leaf fish, ghost pipefish & a multitude of nudibranchs. Whether it’s the sight of the awesome manta ray, being face to face with a grey reef shark or spotting a tiny brightly colored flatworm, the Maldives has it all.
Most dive sites in the Maldives can be grouped according to the geological formation of the reef & are either Channels, Farus, Thilas or Giris. The Channel or “Kandu” as it is called in Dhivehi, is the deep cut in the atoll rim that connects the waters of the atoll with the open ocean. This is usually the first dive of the day as it tends to be the deepest with some channels being narrow enough to cross from one side to the other. The channel is home to the larger species such as grey shark that feed on the smaller reef life which, in turn, feeds on the plankton being carried into the atoll by the ocean currents.
Key Maldives scuba diving / underwater geography terms:
The Southwest Diving Season in the Maldives Islands –
The diving on the west side of the atoll in the southwest season is spectacular. You will regularly encounter large schools of pelagic fish like sharks, eagle rays & tuna. Another noticeable feature of the southwest season is that the water temperature is usually one or two degrees lower that the usual 28 degrees C (82 degrees F). This has an effect on both the behavior & sightings of marine life, particularly the grey reef sharks & hammerheads , which seem to congregate in larger numbers & in shallower water at this time of year. On the eastern side of the atolls, the southwest season is the best time to see manta rays & whale sharks. Here your visibility is not so good, but this is compensated for by the wonderful experience of diving with these huge plankton feeders.
The Northeast Diving Season in the Maldives Islands --
This is the Maldivian summer. The effect of the season change on diving is dramatic. From November onwards the currents begin to flow from the northeast, visibility is superb & there is lots of action in the channels & thilas on the eastern side of the atolls from the sharks & other pelagic species. Currents tend to be stronger in January & then ease as we move into February. From February the waters calm down & the surface of the sea is undisturbed by any major wind or wave action. The doldrums continue through March & April with easy diving & slack currents. The end of May generally sees the change of monsoon season back to the southwest. Throughout the northeast season, pelagic species such as shark & jacks are to be found on the current points on the eastern side of the atoll. In addition, there is usually a cornucopia of reef life. Manta rays & whale sharks, however, will only really be found on the west side during the northeast season.
MALDIVES AGGRESSOR: DIVING & VESSEL SPECS
GEOGRAPHIC FACTS about the MALDIVES ISLANDS
The Republic of the Maldives is a chain of about 1,200 separate tropical islands -- stretching 750 km across the Indian Ocean-- with the northernmost island at 7° 06" N & the southernmost island just crossing the Equator at 04° 42" S. The exact number of islands varies according to the season & method of classification - islands come & go with the wind, waves & currents!
These tiny islands are geographically grouped into ring shaped reefs called "atolls" & there are 26 of these atoll formations. An atoll encloses a central lagoon with a flat, sandy bottom at a relatively shallow depth of 40-100m. The outer reef, which forms many of the islands, is often broken by deep channels that allow oceanic water to flow into & out of the central lagoon. Inside the atoll there are numerous smaller ring shaped reefs & tillas.
Of the 1,200 islands only 200 are inhabited by local Maldivian people, 88 islands have been developed as tourist resorts & the remaining islands are uninhabited. Inhabited islands are either tourist resorts or inhabited by locals & it is a Government ruling that there can be no combination of the two.
While there are 26 geographical atolls, tourists are most likely to see just 11 of these as the Maldivian Government has taken steps to restrict the impact of tourism on the local community. Tourists can only be accommodated on registered tourist islands with quite strict regulations governing tourist visits to uninhabited & fishing islands. The tourist development area has been restricted to the seven atolls of North Male, South Male, Ari, Felidhu, Baa, Lhaviyani & Addu Atoll. In 1997 the Government announced the proposed development of 14 new islands opening the atolls of Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu & Raa to foreign tourism.
The ATTRACTIVE & GENTLE PEOPLE of the MALDIVES ISLANDS
The Maldives has been a crossroads for sea traders for many centuries & the origin of the people of the country is mixed. Not much is known of the early history of the island people but the language & some archaeological finds of Buddhist relics indicate that the early settlers were from the southern Indian continent & the Buddhist Singalese from Sri Lanka. Now, of course, the Maldives population of 240,000 is entirely Muslim.
Today, the Maldives is a democratic republic with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at the helm. There is no party political system in the Maldives: the citizens Majlis (parliament) comprises 48 members, two elected from each atoll & eight nominated by the President. The president himself is nominated by the citizens' Majlis & elected by public referendum for a renewable five year period; the president then appoints his own cabinet.
A THUMBNAIL HISTORY of the MALDIVES ISLANDS
CLIMATE FACTS of the MALDIVES ISLANDS
Being in the monsoon belt of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives experience quite a complex weather pattern although the temperature remains fairly constant. Many people think of monsoons are periods of only high rainfall, but in fact the wind is the key factor down here.
There are two seasons in the Maldives: a dry northeast monsoon (called Iruvai by the Maldivian natives) & a wet southwest monsoon (called the Hulhagu). From May to November the prevailing winds are from the southwest & bring an average of 215 mm of rainfall & 208 hours of sunshine per month. Around mid December the winds veer to the northeast and, with the change in direction, bring a much drier climate. Rainfall averages 75 mm (3 in) per month in this season, the average monthly sunshine is 256 hours.
Maldivian days are hot & humid throughout the year, with temperatures of about 25 - 30 degrees C (72 - 80 degrees F) & humidity that varies from 60 – 80 %. There is not much difference in terms of sunshine between the seasons but a huge difference in the amount of rainfall – just as in any tropical country with maritime climate. When it rains in the Maldives it rains hard & usually for just a short time.
The Maldives Islands are sometimes affected by cyclones passing through the Bay of Bengal; the most likely times for these are April & May & again in October & November. However, these storms seldom pass close to the Maldives and, when they do, the effects are generally short-lived. The area either side of the equator is well known to mariners as the Doldrums on account of its weak winds.
The weather pattern has a strong influence on the currents. During the northeast monsoon, ocean currents are driven through the atoll channels from the northeast; conversely, during the southwest monsoon, they flow into the atolls from the southwest. These patterns have enormous significance for the diving …
OK fast forward to more entertaining stuff ! Here’s an easy way to find these magically remote Maldives on a world map. First off, spin your globe over to India & move down to the far southern tip of the Indian sub-continent. Then focus on the sweeping expanse of the Indian Ocean. Now trace one line about 500 miles southwest of India’s Cape Comorin & another line about 1,800 miles due east of Somalia -- & where these lines intersect, there you have it, dive buddies ! That’s where MALDIVES AGGRESSOR will be plying the visually hypnotic blue waters of the Maldives.
Not exactly a ho-hum tourist trap, eh? Indeed not. This Indian Ocean island nation is actually one of the most excitingly remote sectors of our planet’s ocean realm, in the sense of being removed by easy-breezy air travel from the USA’s coastal air travel hubs of LAX (Los Angeles), IAH (Houston), EWR (Newark) & MIA (Miami). That’s why the Maldives never have been inundated by hordes of beach-stomping tourists, like Cozumel, the Northern Bahamas or Jamaica. This is one of our crowded planet’s most precious & elusive marine resources. The Maldives still offer peace & quiet, plus surreal cerulean blue waters that are literally teeming with lush corals & exotic fish species, nearly everywhere you point your mask. This is Eye Candy Central, folks, no two ways about it. Eye Candy & Soul Candy too. Only the most jaded of human hearts would not beat faster here in the remote islets of the Maldives Islands diving sectors.
Now imagine for a bit, here’s an isolated, mysterious island nation which is blessed with hundreds of square miles of crystal clear blue water, & dotted with nearly 1,200 different magical islands spread lazily over 26 separate atolls. Here is one way to gauge just how pristine & unique the Maldives Islands are. Only 200 of these colorful islands are inhabited, & 87 more have only one single resort on each of them. In general, the Maldives Islands are small, flat, & ringed along their coastlines with gorgeous white sand. The atolls are complex island groups separated by deep water, covering hundreds of square miles. The Maldives seem created with divers & snorkelers in mind, it's apparent to any dedicated reg puffer or breathholder.
Grinning apologies to Mr. Paladin of Old West TV days; it’s time to let our imaginations roll freely now. We all can adopt a maritime motto of HAVE WETSUIT, WILL TRAVEL. Ready for that ? A moderately light wetsuit will work for most divers here, since the waters are so warm. And here is what you will find …
Visiting even one isolated atoll in the Maldives can be an oceanic adventure all by itself. You may be boggled by the sheer abundance of drift dives through cuts in the atoll, deep & steep walls on the outside of the atoll, plus pristine hard corals within the protected lagoons. If that's not enough, there's scads of pinnacle dive sites too (pinnacles are called "Thila" in theMaldives). These inspiring oceanic pinnacles reach up from profound Indian Ocean depths to soar within several feet of the surface. In fact, a better fishlife magnet has seldom been found on planet Earth, the locals maintain.
Now back to the Maldives scuba diving ship, mates. This brand new, 110 foot, MALDIVES AGGRESSOR will cruise not just one, but three of the best & brightest atolls in the general region of the capital city (and international airport) of Male. These expansive atolls (North Male, South Male, & Ari Atoll), encompass hundreds of square miles of ocean & offer excellent diving on nearly all points of the compass. And the MALDIVES AGGRESSOR will explore the atolls of the Maldives in an adventuresome yet safe & uniquely efficient manner. Here is how the newMALDIVES AGGRESSOR scuba diving system works.
Not only will 16 guests enjoy fine luxury accommodations on board this new vessel, but all of the diving will be done from a custom-built, 55 ft. dive tender called the “Diving Dhoni.” that shadows the mother ship every day. This second vessel will accompany Ocean Dancer on all of its Maldives scuba diving voyages, & features a very spacious dive deck, sun protection, & easy entry/exit. The luxury "tender" will cruise at 12 knots & will have all of the tanks, compressors, Nitrox station, camera tables, & diving amenities on board. Truly an efficient boat combo for a one-of-a-kind destination. Maldives scuba diving has never been this streamlined & hassle-free, funseekers ! We are feeling stoked just thinking about it from afar. Can you feel your inner adrenal teen re-emerging yet ?
OK back to comfy reality. MALDIVES AGGRESSOR offers accommodations for 16 guests in air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Scuba diving is offered from a separate, dive support vessel to maximize comfort & safety. We offer good facilities for photographers & videographers including some video processing services. MALDIVES AGGRESSOR has been built to meet the highest standard of service for the Maldives scuba diving market & is proudly part of the world class live-aboards in the respected “Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet”, our longtime friends & travel planning partners.
This new Maldives scuba diving yacht is a joint venture ofDancer Fleet Diving & new partner/owner Ocean Stripe Pvt Ltd, presenting the MALDIVES AGGRESSOR to a diving public rarin’ to go for a new overseas treat. Ocean Stripe Pvt Ltd was established 15 years ago by David Mesnard, a resident of the Maldives. David is a capable & experienced diver plus a PADI instructor with extensive knowledge of local marine life. After many years of renting boats to accommodate his growing dive business, David decided to build his own in order to provide first class service to his customers.
The MALDIVES AGGRESSOR & Diving Dhoni were built by Mr. Mesnard, specifically with the guests ofDancer Fleet Diving, Inc. in mind. David &Dancer Fleet met in 2003, started planning the new vessels, & the result is a stunning new live-aboard yacht + tender combination that will provide new levels of guest satisfaction in addition to great diving adventures for those lucky enough to secure staterooms.
David Mesnard has been diving the Maldives professionally for the last 15 years, & he truly knows the waters of this world-renowned archipelago intimately. MALDIVES AGGRESSOR & Diving Dhoni will transport our guests to the very best scuba diving delights that the Maldives Islands have to offer. The refurb of MALDIVES AGGRESSOR began in 2010 & this vessel is now ready to cruise the pristine waters of the Maldives. Dig in, sunseekers, your day is at hand. It’s ripe & ready for the plucking, this fresh fruit of the Indian Ocean -- the Maldives scuba diving delights of MALDIVES AGGRESSOR. Say, just reporting this, we are jazzed 2 D max ...
WHAT is this CELEBRATED MALDIVES DIVING LIKE ?
To experience the best of scuba diving in the Maldives Islands, you need to move strategically with the seasons & the currents. Diving from the “MALDIVES AGGRESSOR” allows this & gives you the optimum chance of seeing thrilling animals such as many species of large sharks & swift swooping manta rays. Your cruise will take you through the atolls to the very best of the dive sites & you can enjoy three dives a day as well as excursions to fishing islands plus a range of resort islands along the way. Our partners atDancer Fleet Diving / Dancer Fleet know all the best dives in these three Maldives sectors, & we plan the itinerary for each trip based on how best to flow with local weather conditions. There's no doubt that it's a safe & comfortable way to visit dive the amazing archipelago of the Maldives Islands.
So what’s at the heart of these storied Maldives; how did they get their geologic start? About 65 million years ago the islands of the Maldives were part of a huge volcanic mountain range under the Indian Ocean. When the volcanoes ceased to be active they submerged, sinking at a rate slow enough that coral formations grew gradually on their rims. This coral growth eventually became the fringing reefs of the atolls. Recent surveys have discovered that the depth of coral on the fringing reef is as deep as 2,100 m (6,400 ft), an astonishing statistic when you consider that a typical coral formation grows just 2 mm (0. 08 in) annually.
As continuous oceanic currents eroded the atolls' rims they carved some cool channels, & today these channels provide extraordinary diving. The tides of the Indian Ocean flow in & out through the channels, & in so doing concentrate millions & millions of microscopic plant cells, tiny marine animals & larvae, collectively called plankton. This rich sea soup provides food for many of the reef’s inhabitants. In turn, creatures further up the food chain are attracted from the ocean by the prospect of a good meal, & a rich & diverse marine community builds, layer by layer.
Inside most of the atolls is a complex formation of reefs. A number of these reefs are circular, enclosing a shallow lagoon, others irregular & shallowly submerged. All offer interesting & usually easy diving & excellent snorkeling. Some of the best diving is on submerged reefs called thilas; usually located in the middle of a channels, these rise from the atoll floor to within 10 m (33 ft) of the surface.
Reef life is prolific, with over 700 common fish species & many more still to be discovered & classified; invertebrate species are reckoned to be in their tens of thousands. For the sharp-eyed diver there are encounters with species like frogfish, leaf fish, ghost pipefish & a multitude of nudibranchs. Whether it’s the sight of the awesome manta ray, being face to face with a grey reef shark or spotting a tiny brightly colored flatworm, the Maldives has it all.
Most dive sites in the Maldives can be grouped according to the geological formation of the reef & are either Channels, Farus, Thilas or Giris. The Channel or “Kandu” as it is called in Dhivehi, is the deep cut in the atoll rim that connects the waters of the atoll with the open ocean. This is usually the first dive of the day as it tends to be the deepest with some channels being narrow enough to cross from one side to the other. The channel is home to the larger species such as grey shark that feed on the smaller reef life which, in turn, feeds on the plankton being carried into the atoll by the ocean currents.
Key Maldives scuba diving / underwater geography terms:
- A “Faru” is a circular reef rising up from the ocean floor usually lying in the ocean channels.
- A “Giri” is a small area of coral, smaller than a thila that is found inside the atoll.
- A “Thila” is an underwater reef that has formed inside the atoll. Thilas are oblong or circular in shape with the reef top at 6-10m. Sometimes you can swim around the whole thila in one dive but, as with all diving in the Maldives, the most action will be taking place on the point of the current.
The Southwest Diving Season in the Maldives Islands –
The diving on the west side of the atoll in the southwest season is spectacular. You will regularly encounter large schools of pelagic fish like sharks, eagle rays & tuna. Another noticeable feature of the southwest season is that the water temperature is usually one or two degrees lower that the usual 28 degrees C (82 degrees F). This has an effect on both the behavior & sightings of marine life, particularly the grey reef sharks & hammerheads , which seem to congregate in larger numbers & in shallower water at this time of year. On the eastern side of the atolls, the southwest season is the best time to see manta rays & whale sharks. Here your visibility is not so good, but this is compensated for by the wonderful experience of diving with these huge plankton feeders.
The Northeast Diving Season in the Maldives Islands --
This is the Maldivian summer. The effect of the season change on diving is dramatic. From November onwards the currents begin to flow from the northeast, visibility is superb & there is lots of action in the channels & thilas on the eastern side of the atolls from the sharks & other pelagic species. Currents tend to be stronger in January & then ease as we move into February. From February the waters calm down & the surface of the sea is undisturbed by any major wind or wave action. The doldrums continue through March & April with easy diving & slack currents. The end of May generally sees the change of monsoon season back to the southwest. Throughout the northeast season, pelagic species such as shark & jacks are to be found on the current points on the eastern side of the atoll. In addition, there is usually a cornucopia of reef life. Manta rays & whale sharks, however, will only really be found on the west side during the northeast season.
MALDIVES AGGRESSOR: DIVING & VESSEL SPECS
- Port of Registry / Flag: Maldives
- Built: Kaffu Atoll , Maldives 2011 & 2012
- Type: Motor yacht / Length: 110 feet / Beam: 30 feet / Draft: 7.7 feet
- Cruising Speed: 10 .12 knots / Cruising Range: 1,000 miles
- Number of Passengers: 14-16 divers
- Accommodation: 8 double-occupancy staterooms
- Number of Crew: 10 trained staffers
- Length of Charters: 7 nights
- Dives per Day: 3 dives each day + 2 night dives weekly, weather permitting.
- Dive Tenders: dive boat 52 feet + 2 dingy: 18 ft @ 85 HP engine + 11 ft @ 15 HP
- Total Displacement: 200 tons / Propulsion: CUMINS N-14 480 HP
- Fuel capacity: 7,000 gallons
- Fresh Water Storage Capacity: 8,000 liters
- Desalinator Production Capacity: 10,000 liters per day
- Navigation Aids: VHF, SSB, Furuno 36 mile radar, GPS x 2, Eco sondeur, Cmap.
- Oxygen Kit on Board: Yes. ALWAYS per PADI standards safety standards.
- Laundry Facility: No, sorry folks. Bring extra shirts, shorts etc.
- Air Compressors for Tanks: 3 x Mariner BAUERs
- Voltage: 2 x ONAN 35 KVA gensets, 220v, 50 cycle
- Air-conditioning: Distributed to all interior areas
- Photographic Video Services: Yes. (No E6 processing )
- Diving Instruction: Yes / Nitrox: Yes / Dive Gear Rental: Yes
- CD /DVD Player: Yes / Boutique: Yes / Equipment Rinse: Yes
- Special Dietary Requests: Yes, always with advance notice.
- Alcohol Included: Yes (Wine & beer) Other not included
- Recompression Chamber: Yes, it’s at Bandos Resort near Male.
- Telecommunications Amenities: Satellite Phone, VHF Radio, Internet, Mobile phone .
- Also telephones in rooms.
GEOGRAPHIC FACTS about the MALDIVES ISLANDS
The Republic of the Maldives is a chain of about 1,200 separate tropical islands -- stretching 750 km across the Indian Ocean-- with the northernmost island at 7° 06" N & the southernmost island just crossing the Equator at 04° 42" S. The exact number of islands varies according to the season & method of classification - islands come & go with the wind, waves & currents!
These tiny islands are geographically grouped into ring shaped reefs called "atolls" & there are 26 of these atoll formations. An atoll encloses a central lagoon with a flat, sandy bottom at a relatively shallow depth of 40-100m. The outer reef, which forms many of the islands, is often broken by deep channels that allow oceanic water to flow into & out of the central lagoon. Inside the atoll there are numerous smaller ring shaped reefs & tillas.
Of the 1,200 islands only 200 are inhabited by local Maldivian people, 88 islands have been developed as tourist resorts & the remaining islands are uninhabited. Inhabited islands are either tourist resorts or inhabited by locals & it is a Government ruling that there can be no combination of the two.
While there are 26 geographical atolls, tourists are most likely to see just 11 of these as the Maldivian Government has taken steps to restrict the impact of tourism on the local community. Tourists can only be accommodated on registered tourist islands with quite strict regulations governing tourist visits to uninhabited & fishing islands. The tourist development area has been restricted to the seven atolls of North Male, South Male, Ari, Felidhu, Baa, Lhaviyani & Addu Atoll. In 1997 the Government announced the proposed development of 14 new islands opening the atolls of Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu & Raa to foreign tourism.
The ATTRACTIVE & GENTLE PEOPLE of the MALDIVES ISLANDS
The Maldives has been a crossroads for sea traders for many centuries & the origin of the people of the country is mixed. Not much is known of the early history of the island people but the language & some archaeological finds of Buddhist relics indicate that the early settlers were from the southern Indian continent & the Buddhist Singalese from Sri Lanka. Now, of course, the Maldives population of 240,000 is entirely Muslim.
Today, the Maldives is a democratic republic with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at the helm. There is no party political system in the Maldives: the citizens Majlis (parliament) comprises 48 members, two elected from each atoll & eight nominated by the President. The president himself is nominated by the citizens' Majlis & elected by public referendum for a renewable five year period; the president then appoints his own cabinet.
A THUMBNAIL HISTORY of the MALDIVES ISLANDS
- Year 1153: Islam was adopted after the visit of a Muslim holy man.
- 1513: Male attacked by the Portuguese from their colony in Goa, India. They built a fort in 1518. The Portuguese were thrown out shortly afterwards.
- 1558: Male captured again by the Portuguese who remained there until they were all killed by the Maldivian Hero, Muhammad Takurufanu.
- 1609: Male was attacked by pirates who killed the Sultan & caused considerable damage.
- 1631: The Portuguese attempted to storm Male but failed & were driven off with great losses.
- 1649: Further attempt to take Male by Portuguese, driven off by heavy cannon fire from the fort.
- 1752: Male attacked by the Ali Raja of Malabar in a fleet of ships. After setting fire to many of the buildings & ransacking the palace, the pirates stayed for a few months until the Maldivians under the leadership of Hassan Manikufanu threw them out. The Ali Raja continued to lay siege to Male until eventually driven away with the help of a fleet of French Men O'War under the command of Monsieur Termellier. He was known with affection by the Maldivians as Moustri Mili & is buried on Male.
- 1761: A further assault by the fleet of Ali Raja which was beaten off by a brave attack using "dhonis".
- 1818-1819: A great famine occurred all over the islands & a massive tornado struck, devastating many islands, homes & boats.
- 1835: The first survey of the islands was undertaken by the British Admiralty under the command of Robert Moresby.
- 1887: The Maldives & Great Britain signed an agreement which gave the country the status of a protected state.
- 1932: The first written constitution of the Maldives was proclaimed.
- 1953: First Republic of the Maldives is declared.
- 1953: Republic dissolved & the Sultanate firmly re-established.
- 1965: End of British agreement. Independence & entry into the United Nations.
- 1968: Declaration of Second Republic.
- 1976: Complete withdrawal of all British forces from the south of the country.
CLIMATE FACTS of the MALDIVES ISLANDS
Being in the monsoon belt of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives experience quite a complex weather pattern although the temperature remains fairly constant. Many people think of monsoons are periods of only high rainfall, but in fact the wind is the key factor down here.
There are two seasons in the Maldives: a dry northeast monsoon (called Iruvai by the Maldivian natives) & a wet southwest monsoon (called the Hulhagu). From May to November the prevailing winds are from the southwest & bring an average of 215 mm of rainfall & 208 hours of sunshine per month. Around mid December the winds veer to the northeast and, with the change in direction, bring a much drier climate. Rainfall averages 75 mm (3 in) per month in this season, the average monthly sunshine is 256 hours.
Maldivian days are hot & humid throughout the year, with temperatures of about 25 - 30 degrees C (72 - 80 degrees F) & humidity that varies from 60 – 80 %. There is not much difference in terms of sunshine between the seasons but a huge difference in the amount of rainfall – just as in any tropical country with maritime climate. When it rains in the Maldives it rains hard & usually for just a short time.
The Maldives Islands are sometimes affected by cyclones passing through the Bay of Bengal; the most likely times for these are April & May & again in October & November. However, these storms seldom pass close to the Maldives and, when they do, the effects are generally short-lived. The area either side of the equator is well known to mariners as the Doldrums on account of its weak winds.
The weather pattern has a strong influence on the currents. During the northeast monsoon, ocean currents are driven through the atoll channels from the northeast; conversely, during the southwest monsoon, they flow into the atolls from the southwest. These patterns have enormous significance for the diving …
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