THE MALDIVES

(To view pictures of this trip simply click on the thumbnails. These images are extracted from the DIVEPAINT DVD “Thillas, Channels and Reefs”)

The m/v “Gaaviya” is a splendid liveaboard for exploring the Maldives. In March 2004 we took a dive cruise around the North and South Ari Atolls and the South Male Atoll, finishing the trip with a few days on the island of Eriyado. We sailed with a balmy breeze, under tropical skies, on a beautiful boat with a great crew. What more could you ask for? Excellent diving! Well that was there in abundance too under the experienced and watchful eyes of our Italian dive guides Paulo and Marco.

The cruise included visits to 18 dive sites. The Gaaviya anchored each day close to one of the numerous small islands and we would be ferried to the reef on the accompanying Dhoni. We had fascinating night dives on Maya Thilla and Ebudhoo Thilla when the reef took on a different splendour under the fall of darkness, the corals and fishes caught in the dazzle of diver’s torches and filming lamps. We marvelled at the spectacle of squadrons of large eagle rays passing overhead on the strong currents and at numerous grey reef sharks cruising the deep passage of Cocoa Kandoo. Giant Manta Rays circled endlessly at cleaning stations accompanied by hosts of small fishes gleaning parasites from their bodies. Shoals of fish with a kaleidoscope of colours drifted in clear blue waters while deep in the pockets and ravines of the reefs a variety of Morey Eels silently gaped as we passed their lairs.