In the middle of the Indian Ocean lies an archipelago that, for many, is the closest thing to paradise. The Maldives are a truly dream destination. The atolls are not only beautiful but also full of with underwater life. Offshore reefs provide shelter and habitat for many species, while pelagic megafauna can appear at any time just beyond the reef edge. Whale sharks, manta rays, and sharks are regular visitors and lured us to this magical place.
In the middle of the Indian Ocean lies an archipelago that, for many, is the closest thing to paradise. The Maldives are a truly dream destination. The atolls are not only beautiful but also full of with underwater life.
Offshore reefs provide shelter and habitat for many species, while pelagic megafauna can appear at any time just beyond the reef edge. Whale sharks, manta rays, and sharks are regular visitors and lured us to this magical place.
Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme
In the western part of the Maldives lies the South Ari Atoll, a place so beautiful that it will instantly take your breath away. To experience this magical place while supporting marine research, the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme was a perfect match.
We spend our days searching for whale sharks, collected conservation data with passionate people, enjoyed snorkeling tours around midday to get back in the evening to a beautiful sailboat that we called home for the duration of our stay. The water around the atoll changes from deep sapphire blue to bright turquoise. The reef surrounding it is teeming with life and apart from a few small islands in the distance, there is nothing around you but the tempting open ocean.
Early in the morning, just before the sun crept over the horizon, we put on our fins and snorkels and gently glided from our boat into the water. Waiting for us: several manta rays.
In the end we returned home with a handful of new friends from around the world and lifelong memories of peaceful encounters with whale sharks and breakfast snorkeling with manta rays.
Diving with Tiger Sharks
Looking for an unforgettable diving adventure, we found the right partner in Protect What You Love (PWYL). We share the same values, such as environmental awareness, respect for nature and the locals, as well as responsible diving. So we headed to Fuvahmulah in the Maldives to dive with tiger sharks.
The core idea behind PWYL is simple yet so profound: You only protect what you love and to love something you have to know it. Founded in the small village of Coral Bay in the Ningaloo region of Western Australia, the goal of PWYL is to raise awareness about tiger sharks and the threats they face.
Diving with tiger sharks is definitely an experience that is not so easy to forget. And one that should also be met with respect. To face this approx. 4m predator eye in the eye, allows all of our senses to become many times more active. At the same time, we are tied up how elegant the sharks move through the water and almost gracefully swim around us.
