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.