It's the same for divers and snorkeling aficionados - I know it's a anglicism but this term is widely used. it means snorkeling, fins, mask, snorkel or PMT for short - with their head under the water for the first time in the warm, clear waters of the Maldives.
The Maldives is a paradise for divers. The underwater scenery is just as spectacular as those above the surface and the wealth of marine life is simply bluffing. If you want to explore the underwater world of the Maldives the first advice I can give you is that you choose your island. It is very important to make sure to have a "house reef" (house reef) a few fin strokes from the beach. You will indeed spend a lot of time in the water and it's still better not palmer few meters to the reef than having to take a boat.
If you know nothing about diving or snorkeling, this is the best time to start. For snorkeling, you do not even need to know how to swim. You will also once there, some of our Asian friends, who do not have the culture of swimming as Europeans, to dress in a life jacket and be floating above the reef. In talking with them you will agree they are just as excited and amazed by their experience than those attending the underwater world diligently.
For starters not need complicated equipment. Maldives hotels will lend or lease a mask, snorkel and flippers. Consider wearing a t-shirt special watersports certified UV protection (rather take in a light color, you will have less hot). They dry very quickly and are still more comfortable than cotton t-shirt. It costs less than 10 euros in a store like "Decathlon" (no, they do not pay me for this little stunt) and you'll thank me for having recommended this investment because the Maldivian sun is rather "beefy home beefy ". Also attention to the buttocks and thighs, as this is often where the sun attack ... wearing shorts certainly less sexy ladies is highly recommended. If you decide to apply sun cream to protect the skin still apparent (eg the neck), please use a lotion that will not damage corals (without chemical filter). It's a bit more expensive than conventional lotions but it is in my opinion a sign of respect.
For this article, I thought of a hotel I last visit under the guidance of a German friend. I had the chance to dive on some of the sights and practice my favorite sport, namely snorkeling. I mean the Filitheyo Island Resort which I will present in more detail in a future article focused less snorkeling and diving. To make you wait, here's a video of Filitheyo Island Resort ... like it you were there: Video.
Filitheyo is located in the northern atoll Nilandhe. This magical island is surrounded by a falling - a kind of wall - going down 35 to 90 meters below the surface. It is swimming above this falling that I met a pretty amazing wildlife. It is amazing for us regulars Atlantic and Mediterranean to see so many colorful fish. The waters in this area are full of turtles, eagle rays, surgeons fish, lionfish, moray eels, parrotfish, triggerfish (yes, Ms. there also has Nemos, right !! Florence); Finally, it's a real aquarium. With any luck you will also see a large animal like a shark!
I already see some shake, "there are SHARKS!"? Uh, yes, the Maldives, there are a lot of sharks around the islands but they are rare, small and harmless. Be careful you do not see in all your training, but with a little luck you'll experience (no, you're not going to bite you, it is not in "Jaws" ). The vast majority are black tip sharks from 80 cm to 1 meter 20 long. Seriously, the initial shock (really thank you for having Spielberg damage the brain of my generation), you take a liking to this kind of meeting and used the be looking.
Filitheyo offers a database of highly professional diving instructors supervised by Werner Lau. Two new French instructors are on the island (Thomas and Bertrand) and they will be happy to advise you and even guide you if you wish. Lovers of scuba diving can explore more of the 30 proposed sites. There is also a recent wreck (2009) located up to 32 meters underwater. Nurse sharks (no it does not bite, they usually sleep in the back) and rays are already benefiting from this shelter.
I really had great times Filitheyo water and I do not regret this trip (sponsored slightly because my purse is still mild). Prices are decent as it is in the hotel or in the diving center. I have to mention something important, Nitrox diving costs the same as that in the conventional mixture.
Source: http://www.voyage-maldives-blog.fr/les-maldives-paradis-du-snorkeling/
