Black Pearl Liveaboard Reports Whale Shark Sighting at Southern Ari Atoll
A whale shark was spotted around the Southern Ari Atoll by divers aboard the Black Pearl liveaboard…
Divers aboard the Black Pearl liveaboard (book a holiday on the Black Pearl now!) spotted a whale shark around the Southern Ari Atoll.
The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest of all fish species alive today. A filter-feeder, the whale shark feeds mainly on plankton and can grow to lengths of 40 feet, and can weigh up to 47,000 pounds.
Black Pearl Diving Safari – Day Four
Black Pearl Diving Safari – First Dive
The day began with a fantastic dive at 5 Rocks, located 25 minutes away from the final anchorage Dhangethi (also know as the Alif Dhaal Atoll).
The incredibly unique formation of the 5 Rocks, in addition to the canyon, made gliding through the caves and observing the soft, colorful coral a true delight!
Black Pearl Divers Search for Whale Shark
The whale shark search began after the aforementioned dive, and shortly after our efforts began, we came across a 9 meter whale shark. All divers aboard the Black Pearl liveaboard had the opportunity to snorkel with the giant creative for over half an hour!
Black Pearl Diving Safari – Second Dive
The day’s second dive was to the outer reef of Holiday Island, where the current was gentle and visibility was around 10 meters visibility, making for an easy-going, relaxed dive.
Divers Snorkeling with Whale Shark
Black Pearl Diving Safari – Third Dive
The third dive was to Thinfushi Ehthere Thila, one of my all time favorite dive sites. The timing couldn’t have been better in terms of current. The strong current brought an abundance of fish life. A massive cloud of fusiliers swam above the divers’ heads feeding on plankton, while a couple of white tip reef sharks patrolled back and forth. We also spotted napoleon wrasse and tons of other fish.
Black Pearl Diving Safari – Day Five
Kuda Rah Thila
Protected marine area Kuda Rah Thila, everybody’s favorite dive site around the South Ari Atoll, was the day’s first dive. The current was very mild, allowing divers to closely observe the intricate reef formations, caves and overhangs.
Angaga Thila
The Black Pearl liveaboard sailed towards the atoll’s western side and performed the second dive at Angaga Thila. This tiny pinnacle is famous for its residential pack of giant dogtooth tuna that chase the fusiliers while gray reef and white tip sharks swim back and forth in the blue water. Today, we saw stingrays and white tip reef sharks.
Raidhigaa Thila
The third and dive of the day was to Raidhigaa Thila. In order to see big fish, like grey reef sharks, at Raidhigaa Thila, divers should swim a little ways away from the reef and spend some time in the blue water. The reef was full of fish life, starting at the 25 meter sand slop where divers could observe the giant sea fan corals to the caves and finally to the top reef, where the healthy acropra table coral flourishes.
Related posts:
- Black Pearl seeks out for whale shark at southern Ari atoll.
- Black Pearl reports three whale sharks on their first “Guaranteed Whale Shark and Manta Safaris in Maldives”
- Black Pearl Liveaboard Searches for a Whale Shark
- Sting Ray Reports Mantas and Whale Shark Sighting Despite Monsoon Weather.
- Sting Ray reports whale shark sighting at White Sands Beyru and Dhagethi Beyru
