MV Sting Ray this week embarked with 17 divers, a multinational group of divers from Austria, Germany, Spain and Singapore all arriving to Maldives with one thing in common.

Despite the poor monsoon weather condition during the past 3 days, diving remained at a top level Mantas sighting at Lankan Manta Point and Whale Sharks at south Ari atoll.

Sting Ray started this week on the 18th ending on the 26th. Due to late arrivals and bad weather condition check dived and sailing out of Hulhumale’ lagoon had to be postponed to the next day.

The weather remained bad bring scattered rain shower and gusty wind, check dive was at Lankan Manta Point under calm conditions and no current were present. No mantas were seen on the first dive but second dive brining more luck with 6 to 8 mantas at the cleaning station during the 60 minute dive.

After having an great big fish dive (Gary Reef Sharks, Eagle Ray and more pelagic) at Kandooma Thila, sting ray sailed to southern Ari atoll and included Omadhu Thila and Vilamendhoo Thila for the day’s remaining 2 dives. Nothing big on both dives but seeing frog fish and leaf fish was rewarding.

Whale Shark search began the next day morning after a dive to Kuda Rah Thila. The weather didn’t allow to cover much of the outer rim of southern Ari atoll and the search had to be limited to the island Dhidhoo. After searching for an hour the dive guides decided to go for the second dive at Dhidhoo Outer Reef and while everyone was back on the dive dhoni the crew spotted one whale sharks right next to the dive dhoni allowing everyone to snorkel.

MV Sting Ray’s is performing 4 dives today and at presently is located diving at Makaru Thila. Dhigaa Thila near Raidhigaa Island being the first, second Fish Head (Mushimasmigili Thila) and night dive at Maaya Thila this evening.

After a night over at southern Ari atoll, Dhangithi lagoon, diving resumed the next day morning from Kuda Rah Thila (protected marine area) that ranks as number one dive site around Dhangethi region.

In general a top dive and a great start, visibility remained poor but the fish life amazed every diver.

Whale Shark search day one

The search took off from Dhigurah Beyru and extended to White Sands Beyru (outer reef) and after spending 2 hours search the decision was made to go for the second dive at White Sands Beyru. 10 to 15 minutes into the dive came the mighty whale shark. Seeing whale shark underwater is the most unforgettable dive experience one can have.
Search continued and the day’s remaining dive was made at the outer reef.

Whale Sharks search day two

Day two turns out to be another great day. Morning dive was at 5 Rocks, where diver got to see one of the uniquely formed reefs at this region.
Search began from the outer reef of Dhangethi where one was spotted and spent 10 to 15 minutes of snorkeling.
Sting Ray headed to the western side of the atoll and day’s second dive was made at Raidhigaa Thila and over night at Raidhigaa lagoon.

Gray reef sharks points

Gray reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) is one of the most common reef sharks in the Maldives. In Ari atoll there are several dive sites where gray reef sharks can be seen. In order to see sharks an ideal current should be present at the dive site.
This week MV Sting Ray included some of the best site such as: Lahmiyaru Gaa Thila, Fish Head, Maaya Thila, Makaru Thila, Rashdoo Madivaru and Voshimas Thila from north Male’ atoll.

Out of these top sites the most highlighted ones were Fish Head (Mushimasmigili Thila), Makaru Thila Rasdhoo Madivaru and Voshimas Thila.
On all above dive sites visibility remained fair and the current were idea except for Vishimas Thila where the current was extremely strong.

Crossing over to north Male’ atoll

Early morning hammerhead dive was made according to the group’s liking which was not to spend more than 10 minutes in the blue water. After 10 minutes in blue dive was continued at the reef including the channel. No hammerhead was sighted.
Sting Ray entered north Male’ atoll from Madivaru Kandu and did second dive at Voshimas Thila where many white tip sharks were seen.
Third dive was made pretty late at Lankan Manta Point with mild out going current. Unfortunately no mantas were present at the cleaning station.

MV Sting Ray resumed diving after a week’s break with 13 French divers.

All arrivals were completed by midday and Sting Ray headed to southern Ari atoll. After lunch orientation dive was made at Orimas Faru.

Orimas Faru is located at southern part of Ari atoll at the eastern rim of the atoll between Ranveli Resort and Velamendhoo.

MV Sting Ray’s projected route is to cover southern and northern Ari atoll, Rasdhoo atoll and at the last day at north Male’ atoll.

Sting Ray’s highest priority this week is to find whale shark as this was the request from the present dive group. Tomorrow sting ray will head out to search for the whale shark near Dhigurah Outer reef including Ari Beach Beyru.

If the weather conditions allow Sting Ray will include Maamigili Beyru, Holiday Island Beyru and Sun Island Beyru during whale shark search.

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.

New Whale Shark Habitats

In another step towards becoming environment-friendly, the Maldivian government unveiled plans yesterday to designate three whale shark habitats in the Maldives as protected areas.

The allocated protected areas include Baa atoll Hanifaru, Baa atoll An’gafaru and Alif Dhaal atoll Maamigili as protected areas to commemorate World Environment Day and World Ocean Day on the 5 and 8 June respectively.

“We welcome the whale shark sanctuaries,” said Ali Rilwan, executive director of environment NGO Bluepeace today. “We don’t need paper parks, we need monitoring and more research in these areas.”

In March, the ministry of fisheries and agriculture extended the moratorium on reef shark fishing to cover the whole of the Maldives as part of a move towards a total ban on both reef and oceanic shark hunting.

The main objective of the project was to protect the areas mega fauna, namely whale sharks and manta rays.

Divided into various zones, in which different activities will be permitted. While diving and snorkeling would still be allowed, a set of guidelines would be provided to instruct on how to deal with encounters with whale sharks.

Further, boats including Liveaboards and dive boats will be subject to speed limits in certain areas.

Local and Global Reaction

The reaction of local residents was “very positive”. “They actively wanted this to happen and this won’t impact any of their activities so they have nothing to lose from this,” “That’s the findings of the consultation.”

The decision would have a “global significance” and the areas were among the few in the world where whale sharks could be spotted.

Studying the Whale Shark

(whale shark, Maldives)

The polka-dotted whale shark is the largest fish on the planet, but very little is known about their existence, according to the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program’s website.

While it is known they swim potentially vast distances across the ocean, eating only plankton, tiny fish and squid, how long they live or where they reproduce remains a mystery.

It was crucial to establish a set of guidelines to counter the impact that the growth of tourism would have on whale sharks in future years. At present, it is estimated that whale shark excursions generate US$10 million annually.

According to researchers there have been 115 whale sharks spotted around the Maldives, although the real number was probably higher.

“Some of these areas are important feeding grounds,” “And out of all of them, there are only two females, so the animals are only spending part of their lives here.”

The designated areas would also protect other animal species such as manta rays in Hanifaru and Gray reef sharks and White tips reef sharks in Baa Atoll An’gafaru.

The first dive began today at 06:30 and we went off to Kuda Rah Thila. After checking the dive guide announce that there are strong currents, we let the divers know that a quick descend was necessary in order to get the best vantage point. We jump a few meters away from the Thila and began navigating to the reef.

The action of the up current created poor visibility but it was clear enough to see the giant dog tooth tunas that were chasing the school of fusiliers at the up current.

Whale Shark

After the dive, during breakfast, the Sting Ray sailed to the outer reef in search of whale sharks. Before the search began everyone agreed that we would make only 2 dives and gave more concentration on the search. About 3 hours in we found the first whale shark near Holiday Island Beyru Faru.

Everyone got to snorkel with it while divers who had cams could snap photographs and shoot videos of the massive fish.

For the third dive we moved to western side of the atoll to Raidhigaa Island and dove at Dhigaa Thila. The visibility remained poor on this dive too, but when we observed the caves and overhangs closely we managed to see loads of small stuff.

On returning from the third dive and after a snack everyone went of f to the barbeque feast on an uninhabited Island.

Day 3 after over night at Guraidhoo diving started from:

Dive 1: Cocoa Corner
Channel crossed to southern Ari atoll
Dive 2: Omadhu Thila
Dive 3: Kahanbu Thila.
Highlights of the day: Gary Reef Sharks, Napoleons, Eagle Ray.

Day 4
Dive 1: 5 Rocks
Dive 2: Ari Beach Beyru
Dive 3: Thinfushi Ethere Thila
Highlights of the day: Whale Shark at Ari Beach Beyru.

Day 5

Dive 1: Kuda Rah Thila (Protected Marine Area)
Dive2: Rangali Madivaru Manta Point
Dive 3: Raidhigaa Thila
Highlight of the day: Kuda Rah Thila was fantastic as usual and was full of fish probably ranked as the best of this week. 3 Mantas at Manta Point an excellent dive.

Day 6

Dive 1: Dega Thila
Dive 2: Dhonkalo Thila
Dive 3: Maaya Thila Night Dive
Highlight: Unfortunately no mantas at Dhonkalo Thila but we had a great night dive – an all included fish life package.

Day 6

Dive 1 and the last of the week was Makaru Thila also called as Hafsa Thila.
Highlights of the day were Gray reef sharks, white tip, tunas and jacks.

After a productive week of diving all the guests checked out and departed on morning of the 21st. Overall this was a great week of diving especially because of the manta rays and the whale shark. After accomplishing an outstanding season of diving, the Black Pearl ends the season on a high note.

Divers Association of Maldives has officially associated with the Liveaboard Association of Maldives to hold the 1st Whale Shark Awareness Program with a team of UK based Whale Shark researchers from the program’s organization.

The event is named as “Whale Shark Awareness Program for Liveaboards & Divers of Maldives”.

The Seminar was held on 16th April 2009 at a Youth Center in Male’ and included a DVD introduction of the works which the team has done in Maldives (15 minute Documentary), followed by an introduction of the team and an outline of the objectives for this trip and the near future, they will then present a 20 minute Power point presentation, and will end with questions and time for discussions.

Dr. Brent & Mr. Richard of MWSRP shared their knowledge and expertise of the research at this event.
In addition, the Official Website of DAM www.dam.org.mv was launched by the Chief Guest (Legendary Diver) Mr. Sarudhaaru Dhonbe.

Divers, non divers and other were invited to participate in this event.

On the morning of April the 14th we did our first dive at Kuda Rah Thila. The Adventurer 2 started sailing from Raidhigaa lagoon very early in the morning, and while the divers were still asleep it arrived to Kuda Rah Thila at around 6:00 am.

Whale shark searching began after the first dive. We spotted the first whale shark near Sun Island Beyru and took the guests out snorkeling for almost 40 minutes, but were unable to swim with the giant. The second dive was at the outer reef of Maamingili and we were lucky enough to see another whale shark while diving.

For the third dive we went further inside the atoll to Vilamendhoo Thila, but there wasn’t much there beyond the ordinary fish and coral species that one would expect to find in the Maldives.

Today’s first jump was to the Kudhi Maa Wreck also called Machafushi Wreck. The current was mild and the visibility remained poor but everyone had an enjoyable dive.

The second dive was to a site called Omadhoo Thila where there were strong incoming currents. We experienced one of the best assortments of fish life on this dive. We spotted lots of snappers, jack fish, 3 eagle ray, 6 white tip reef sharks and lots different colored soft corals.

After the dive we sailed to north Ari atoll to a place called Faanu Mudugau.

Adventurer 2 Divers Experience Calm Seas

Diving started at 07:00 am from Kuda Giri, south Male’ atoll, from a mild current to average visibility this dive was a good introduction dive.

After the first dive we sailed to south Ari atoll. We jumped to Kuda Rah Thila at 12:00 under mild current and good visibility had so far the most enjoyable dive with an abundant fish life.

Rainy Weather Slows Whale Shark Search

Whale Shark search began after the dive, half hour into the search we had to shorten the search due to rainy weather and decided to make the second dive at Maamigili Faru. In general the dive was great and it ended having seeing more than 6 mantas.

Whale Shark Spotted!

After the dive we decide to make another go at whale shark searching despite the rainy weather. The divers were really lucky, and at 17:20 they saw one whale shark at Holiday Island Beyru. The guests snorkeled for more than 15 minutes with the whale shark while it was raining. Despite inclement weather it was a great chance to swim with the whale shark because we were the only boat there.