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.

Acropora or commonly called table corals is a genus of coral in the phylum Cnidaria. Depending on the species and location, Acropora may grow as plates or slender or broad branches. Like other corals, Acropora corals are actually colonies of individuals, known as polyps, which are about 2 mm across and share tissue and a nerve net. The polyps can withdraw back into the coral in response to movement or disturbance by possible predators, but when undisturbed they protrude slightly. The polyps usually extend further at night as they capture zooplankton from the water.

table coral at Kalhahandhi kandu

Acropora genus corals are most common in shallow reef environments with bright light and moderate to high water motion. Many small reef fishes live near acropora colonies and retreat into the thicket of branches if threatened.

Fragileness

These corals have zooxanthellae, symbiotic algae that live in the corals’ cells and produce energy for the animals through photosynthesis. Environmental destruction has led to a dwindling of populations of Acropora, along with other coral species. Acropora corals are especially susceptible to bleaching when stressed. Bleaching is due to the loss of the coral’s zooxanthellae, which are a golden-brown color. Bleached corals are stark white and may die if new zooxanthellae cannot be assimilated. Common causes of bleaching and coral death include pollution, abnormally warm water temperatures, increased ocean acidification, sedimentation, and eutrophication.

Locations

It’s not only the big fishes that you count on a dive, seeing some healthy coral growth brings the complete satisfaction on a dive.

In Maldives there are vast unexplored reefs which display beautiful coral gardens. These reef tops are rich in table coral growth. For example there are few reefs or dive sites on south and north Ari atoll that proves this.

Panettone table corals

Kalhahandhi kandu also know as Panettone is one of the best places to discover healthy table corals on the top reef between safety stop depths. Ideal location for snorkelers and scuba divers.

Rangali Madivaru at southern west of Ari atoll, the inner part of the reef has a fantastic stretch of table corals. The best time to dive here is the south west monsoon when the current flows from west to east.

Kandholhudhoo House Reef has a spectacular house reef that displays different species of hard corals mainly dominated by Acropora. This is fantastic reef for beginners, snorkelers and advanced divers to increase their knowledge in different species of hard corals.

After a fantastic dive to 5 Rocks this morning, Black Pearl began to search for whale shark.

The dive to 5 Rock was nice and easy, while the current remained mild throughout the dive and all the divers got to enjoy and observe the beauty of this unique formation of reef.

Although the visibility remained poor (7 meters), the fish life was more than acceptable. Few white tips reef sharks and napoleon were the high light.

The search began after the breakfast on the dive dhoni , starting from Dhigurah Beyru till Maamingili and past Sun Island.

The one we spotted didn’t last very long but at least all the divers could snorkel for about 5 minutes.

The 2nd dive was to Sun Island Outer Reef and on this dive were few turtles and white tip reef sharks.

Third and last dive for the day was to Dhigurah Thila: This spectacular old time favorite is located at the southern Ari atoll a kilometer north of Dhigurah Island. The eastern side of the Thila is exposed to ocean currents and drops quickly down from 8 meters to the ocean plateau at 45 meters. The reef wall is about 400 meters long, the whole length interspersed with caves and overhangs. Midway along the Thila on the eastern side is a fracture in the reef, starting at 15 meters and descending to 40 meters.

Depth range: 8 – 30 meters.

Marine life: The fracture is crowded with marine life of all types and sizes. Check out the coral outcrops along the wall of the Thila. In the southwest monsoon make it a point of watching out for the whale sharks that are commonly seen here.

During the south west monsoon diving can be done on both east and western side of the atolls. While the eastern side remains protected from strong wind and rough sea, there are some precautions to take when diving on the western side if the weather is choppy.

Accessing dive sites on the western side can be difficult during rough seas and windy condition. The entry points on most of the channel are on the outside and with rough seas this can lead to a strenuous entry due to big waves and precaution must be taken.

Here are few top dive sites that are must do’s:

North Male’ atoll: Lankan Manta Point
Type of Dive Site: Outer Reef
Location: Lankanfinolhu House Reef
Depth Range: 5m – 30m
Coral Growth: Poor
Fish Life: average
Features: Manta Ray
Diving Hints and Current: This is the manta point in North Male’ Atoll during South West Monsoon from early April till late December. It’s fairly an easy dive if the current is not too strong. Usually divers being the dive a bit away from the cleaning station and the dive guides will guide all the way to the cleaning station. On a good day manta’s can be found circling above the cleaning station. Divers have to take a seat around the cleaning station coral block and watch the graceful show. Divers are not allowed to come on top of the cleaning station coral block as this would scare away the Mantas.

North Ari atoll: Gangehi Kandu
Type of Dive Site: channel
Depth Range: 5m – 30+m
Coral Growth: average
Fish Life: very good
Features: channel, white tips, gray reef, leopard shark, caves and overhangs
Diving Hints and Current: This is one of the longest channels in Ari atoll, with more than 2.5 km to drift from the entrance of the channel and finish the dive at inside the atoll. When current flowing in dive begins a bit further out and drifts inside the channel. Once inside the channel start the caves and overhangs, few outcrops away from the reef. These out crops have interesting features and covered with excellent hard coral and soft coral.

The entire channel’s bottom consists of sand and this is the perfect resting ground for sting rays, white tip and a very commonly seen shark here is the leopard shark.

North Male’ atoll: Voshimas Thila
Location: North Male’ Atoll / Rasfaree and Reethi Rah
Type of Dive Site: Thila
Depth Range: 16 to 30+M
Coral Growth: above average
Fish Life: very good
Features: white tips, gray reef, eagle ray, jacks, tuna
Diving Hints and Current: Best to dive when the current flows into the atoll from west to east (south west Monsoon) and with an ideal incoming current. Here the fish life depends on the current. Spend as much as time possible on the up current as the fish life can be very interesting. A quick descend is necessary as the top reef is 15m to 16m. Be prepared to make a safety stop in the blue water and safety balloon is a must on this dive.

South Ari atoll: Pannettone
Location: near Thundhufushi Resort
Type of Dive Site: Channel
Depth Range: 5 to 30+M
Coral Growth: Very good
Fish Life: very good
Features: white tips, gray reef, eagle ray, jacks, tuna
Diving Hints and Current: Pannettone is subjected to strong current at times and creates washing machines and turbulence underwater. A long overhang between 12m to 25m has fallen due to underwater disturbance to the bottom this part is easily noticed when you begin the dive for outgoing current. But here the water flushes back and forth; this channel receives replenishment on a continuous basis.

Along the reef wall is covered floor to ceiling with a plethora of multi colored soft corals, sea fans, sea whips, and sponges. Squirrelfish, Angelfish, Fairy Basslets, Butterfly fish, Scorpion fish, Coral Cod, Triggerfish, Puffer fish and Pipefish in various combinations of colors lurk among the corals and gaps.

The shallow part / top reef is the most ideal place to do the safety stop, endless table corals in perfect condition makes this reef a must to do.

To our surprise today’s visibility has been incredibly clear on all the three dives!

Our morning began at 6:30, with our first stop to Maaya Thila, where there was a strong current, leading us to have one of the best fish life dives so far. Some of the species we saw include white tip reef sharks, gray reef sharks, tunas, jacks and many more.

For the second jump we took the divers to Dega Thila at 11:00 A.M. The dive site has unique reef formations which looked stunning because of the excellent visibility. Everyone had quite an enjoyable dive.

The third and last jump of the day was to Radhdhiggaa Thila also called Dhigaa Thila. With almost no current, there was little chance of spotting any fascinating fish, but visibility remained clear, so we got to explorer the caves and overhangs, getting close ups of the gorgonian fan corals and the colorful soft corals that cover the reef.

The weather remained stable, but there were gusty winds at times with mildly rough seas, and mainly overcast sky the whole day. However, the evening was nice enough to give us the chance to do the boduberu barbecue on Raidhigaa island, which all the divers seemed to really enjoy.