The Maldives has relied on its marine resources for about everything. Trade in the Maldives is centered on what they can harvest from the waters that surround them, over the past decades one commodity has seen an increase in demand, turtle shells are widely traded as ornamental pieces. During the past year, the Maldives government has seen a decrease of marine turtles in the wide, alarmed by the sudden plunge the government is taking steps to ensure the future of this sea creatures.

There are five species of sea turtles that call the Maldives home they are the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, olive ridley turtle, loggerhead turtle, leatherback turtle. Out of the five marine turtles, the green and the hawksbill turle are the most common and nest frequently in the Maldives. The leatherback turtle is rarely seen in the Maldives and is not known to nest in its shores. Each species has its own habitat and feeding grounds, coral and sea ground degredation, oil spills, chemical waste, plastic, highly developed beach front and an increase in water based tourism has damaged or eliminated nesting grounds.

The most important piece of legislation that the government of the Maldives has done to help the plight of the marine turtles is ban catching or killing marine turtles as well as sale, import or export of its by products for ten years. However, the ban does not include harvesting of eggs. The Maldives government has also set up a nationwide campaign to inform the public about the importance of these marine turtles.

Once recommendation is the creation of a turtle sanctuary, up until now the Maldives government has not set up a turtle sanctuary, though nesting grounds have already been identified. It is extremely important for the government to protect these species before they become extinct. The Maldives is taking great steps to ensure that the future of this marine creatures is bright and full of promise.

A holiday in the Maldives is the best gift you can give yourself, with work requiring you to log in as much as 40 hours a week, it is time to reward yourself with the best holiday experience money can buy. The Maldives is your best bet, you can’t go wrong with its immaculate white sand beaches and sparkly blue waters, one look at this place and you’d say that paradise still does exist. The Maldives is stringed along the Indian Ocean, equatorial waters surround each 26 atolls that make up this unique country, the tourism industry in the Maldives is growing at a steady pace making the Maldives one of the top tourist destination in the world. You might think that a vacation to the Maldives maybe expensive, there are a lot of cheap holiday packages that are just one click away, they are hard to find but it does not mean they don’t exist.

What is better than an island getaway in the Maldives? The answer is a worry free all inclusive vacation in the Maldives. Imagine not having to worry about how much you are going to spend each meal, water sports equipment is all free, diving lessons and use of equipment is free too, drinks are on the house, drink as much as you can, now that’s a vacation.

Come to the Maldives and avail of an all inclusive package, each one is designed in such that it will fit the needs and wants of the guest. Leave your work behind, come to the Maldives and rejuvenate your senses.

Scuba diving trips are possible because of the dive master and his crew, without them any scuba diving activity in the Maldives can not be possible. They are the ones who know where to go, what time is best. They also prepare your scuba diving equipment for you, making sure that all bases are covered, making your scuba diving experience in the Maldives an unforgettable one. Though it is not mandatory in the Maldives to give tips but if you have received exemplary service, why not?

Here is a guide in tipping the DM (dive master) and the crew.

If the trip exceeded your expectation then you should definitely tip but if you are unhappy with the service you got then by all means do not tip. Scuba diving trips should be enjoyed and your mind shouldn’t be thinking of anything else. Just remember, DM and crew rely heavily on tips for their income. So the next time you go on a scuba diving trip and you don’t tip, make sure it warrants that action.

Not sure who to give your tip to? Most ships have jars where they collect the tip and split it between the DM and the crew. But if they don’t you can give it to the captain or DM and they can split it among the crew. Make sure that the crew gets it, they are the ones who do the heavy leg work for your scuba diving trip to be a success.

If your scuba diving trip is just for a day, then tip at the end of the dive, but if it’s a multi-day dive then tipping at the end of the trip is recommended. If the crew changes everyday then you should tip at the end of each day but if the scuba diving crew is the same till the end of the trip then tip at the end of the safari.

How much tip you give really depends on the level of satisfaction you have from the service. If you want to tip based on the price of the dive then a 10-15% tip would be ok, if you want to tip on a per tank per person basis then $5-$10 is the regular.

Planning a scuba diving safari is not easy, getting your scuba diving equipment is not an easy feat, if you are satisfied with the service you got, it’s never a bad idea to show that you appreciate a job well done.

Don’t get your dive buddy frustrated cause he has more air than you.

Scuba diving is a sport that relies heavily on a tank that contains compressed air without this scuba diving is impossible. Man or any life on earth needs to breathe, if we are in an environment where there is no oxygen, we can only last for so long. Scuba diving is done underwater where humans don’t have a capacity to breathe hence they need tank filled airs for them to be able to move around and stay under for a long period of time.

Here are some tips on how you can conserve air consumption to make your tank last longer.

Scuba diving more often makes you more comfortable and relaxed underwater. Scuba diving is all about getting your body relaxed therefore consuming less air.

Slow deep breaths when scuba diving helps to lessen your air intake, short and shallow breaths will only consume more air. Don’t under any circumstance hold your breath just to conserve air.

Stop making unnecessary movements, this will make your body consume more energy therefore needing more oxygen, when scuba diving try to keep your hands to your side, if you need to move just use your fins to do so. Those who are more experienced in scuba diving barely move their body when scuba diving, they just float along.

Make sure everything is close to your body, anything dangling while scuba diving creates drag making you consume more air.

Make sure to check everything that is connected to you air tank before scuba diving, you don’t want to lose precious air to leaks.

Don’t be darting from left to right while scuba diving, just take your time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you, go with the flow and this will lessen your air consumption.

Win a 2-Week Holiday in the Maldives Every Year for the Rest of Your Life!!!!!

From: www.themovechannel.com

We would all love to take the holiday of a lifetime – but how about the holiday for a lifetime – that is exactly what one of the world’s top luxury resorts is offering one lucky winner, so read on to find out how to win two weeks in the Maldives every year until you reach 65…

Win a 2-Week Holiday at Coco Palm Every Year for the Rest of Your Life

Now, those 65 year old amongst us may be slightly disgruntled to hear that 65 is deemed as ‘a full lifetime’ for the purposes of this competition, but none the less, it’s still a fabulous prize. (Especially in these credit crunched times).

Coco Palm Bodu Hithi in the Maldives, is running an global online competition to win a two-week holiday every year ‘for life.’ The competition is being run alongside the resort’s brand new website.

The “Pack your suitcase” competition will require participants to search the website for hidden suitcases. Each day a new suitcase will be hidden somewhere within the English language section on the website.

Every suitcase will contain a travel item and participants will have to make a list of the items until 12th February.

Every item equals one Coco Coin, and the more Coco Coins collected, the higher the chance to win the fabulous prize.

The winner gets two weeks for two at the resort every year until he or she turns 65. The holiday can be taken at any time, subject to availability and also includes two meals a day and return speedboat transfers from the airport to the island.

It doesn’t however include air fares to the Maldives, which could be a slight issue for most of us. And if we could afford two return flights to the Maldives each year, would our wallets be in need of this competition atall? Still, let’s look at what a holiday at the resort would normally cost us.

The resort’s entry-level island villas cost £9,600 for two weeks – and that is just for bed and breakfast. The most expensive accommodation is the escape water residence, which is £22,700 for a fortnight.

Located on its own island, a 40-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport, Coco Palm Bodu Hithi was named the leading luxury hotel in the World Luxury Hotel Awards last year.

Better get your skates on if you want to enter – the competition closes on February 12^th 2010. The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day.

To enter, visit Coco Palm’s website.

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Maldives Dive Sites

The following is our definitive guide to the five best Maldives Dive Sites. At these Maldives Dive Sites, you can expect to see some of the finest marine life in the world.

Maldives Dive Site #1 – Fotteyo Kandu

Many scuba divers consider Fotteyo Kandu to be the best Maldives dive site and it is also rated among the top 5 dive sites in the world. The mouth of the channel is exposed to the ocean and during north east monsoon when the currents are incoming, a good variety of fish species gather at the entrance to the channel.  Animals commonly spotted at Fotteyo Kandu include Gray Reef Shark patrolling the channel mouth, Jack and Tuna in the deeper water, schools of Midnight Snappers and Red Snapper form in huge groups. The wall features caves, overhangs and swim-thoughs at different depths. These caves and overhangs are filled with colourful yellow color like soft coral, deeper caves and overhangs are filled with huge bushes of black corals. The Thila in the middle of the channel entrance is the best place to do the safety stop.  A surface balloon is a must at Fotteyo Kandu.

Maldives Dive Site Fotteyo Kandu

Maldives Dive Site #2 – Maaya Thila

Maaya Thila is one of the best Maldives dive sites for a night dive. The dive boat is usually fixed to the mooring and a line is used for the ascent and descent for safety reasons.  A strobe light is attached to the rope at 5 meters to identify the rope underwater.

On the Maaya Thila night dive, divers get to experience swimming close to White Tip Reef Sharks. Turtles rest inside caves / overhangs, while Moray Eels and White Tip Sharks hunt the vulnerable Fusiliers. Octopus and Stone Fish can be found around the top reef. The caves where the crevices are found are the ideal place for people who are interested in macro photography. Here you will find Cleaner Shrimps, Ghost Pipe Fish and many more seldom-seen species.

Maldives Dive Site Maaya Thila is a Reef Shark Hotspot

The Maaya Thila night dive is a must for all scuba divers visiting the Maldives and is a one-of-a-kind dive.

Maldives Dive Site #3 – Rangali Madivaru

Madi in the local language of the Maldives, means “Ray”, hence the name Madivaru for this Maldives dive site, which is also known as Hukrueli Faru.  During the North East Monsoon, Madivaru is a superb Manta Ray cleaning station. The coral reef slopes down gently from its highest point at 8 meters to the Atoll floor at about 30 meters.

There are many cleaning stations along this 1 km reef, but the point where the Manta Rays are most active is halfway along the northern side. Current at Madivaru can be strong at times and can create a funnel effect due to the coral reef formation.  Divers should be prepared to make a safety stop in open water at Madivaru and a safety balloon is necessary.

Manta Rays Gather at Maldives Dive Sites

Maldives Dive Site #4 – HP Reef

If you were asked to choose the best Maldives dive site between HP Reef and Nassimo Thila, the wise thing to do would be vote for both and rank them both equally as they are two of the most spectacular sites in the Maldives. Both HP Reef and display excellent soft coral growth and an abundant fish life. The best diving at HP Reef is found on the southern side of the reef and when the current is flowing into the Atoll (East to West). During mild current, you should swim slowly, while observing the coral blocks, caves and overhangs. The coral blocks and the caves at HP Reef are filled with multicolored soft coral and you should keep your eyes open for the many invertebrates, including nudibranchs, leaf fish and many more. Eagle Rays, schooling Silver Jacks and Batfish are common at HP Reef.  Strong currents are sometimes found at this Maldives dive site and a surface balloon is necessary.

Maldives Dive Site #5 – Nassimo Thila

Nassimo Thila is an oval-shaped Thila displaying a good variety of colourful, soft corals. The most interesting aspect of this Maldives Dive Site is the randomly scattered pinnacles. Spend as much time as possible around the scattered pinnacles but limit your depth to maximize bottom time as the scattered pinnacles go down to more than 30 meters.

Currents at Nassimo Thila are usually strong, so it is only recommended for advanced divers.  Depending on the strength of the currents, many pelagics can be seen near the coral reef at Nassimo Thila or in the deeper water just off the reefs, including Giant Trevallies, Jacks, Dogtooth Tuna and many more. A surface balloon is a must as this Maldives dive site is subjected to heavy boat traffic from the nearby resort island

Click here for a complete guide to Maldives Dive Sites.

Nassimo Thila is an oval-shaped Thila displaying a good variety of colourful, soft corals. The most interesting aspect of Nassimo Thila is the randomly scattered pinnacles. Spend as much time as possible around the scattered pinnacles but limit your depth to maximize bottom time as the scattered pinnacles go down to more than 30 meters.

Currents at Nassimo Thila are usually strong, so it is only recommended for advanced divers.  Depending on the strength of the currents, many pelagics can be seen near the coral reef at Nassimo Thila or in the deeper water just off the reefs, including Giant Trevallies, Jacks, Dogtooth Tuna and many more. A surface balloon is a must as the dive site is subjected to heavy boat traffic from the nearby resort island.

Imagery ©2009 DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, U.S. Geological Survey – Terms of Use

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When in the Maldives, you will be overwhelmed with the number of out-this-world diving sites. No wonder the Maldives has become one of the top tourist destinations, thanks in part for its immaculate beaches and azure waters but nowadays the Maldives is becoming more known for its dive sites. Scuba diving enthusiasts flock to this tiny island nation to experience an unforgettable underwater show. Calm and clean waters with visibility of up to 30 feet is what these scuba divers come to the Maldives for, a little exploring beneath the surface will bring you face to face with the real beauty of the Maldives. Coral gardens, marine sanctuaries, big schools of fish and other interesting marine species all call the Maldives home.

Most scuba divers find the waters of the Maldives alluringly mysterious that still holds a lot of secrets waiting to be unlocked. With the number of scuba divers coming in, most resorts in the Maldives have their own diving facilities, they can certify you, provide you with equipment and take you on diving safaris.

If you are a scuba diver, one thing is certain, you have been itching to see why everyone is raving about the Maldives. Wonder no more, come to the Maldives and start raving like the rest of them.

When we hear the word Maldives, white sandy beaches and blue lagoons immediately come to mind. But there is more than what meets the eye in this island paradise. People in the Maldives specialize in arts and crafts is due to the fact that materials are readily available. Special reeds and grasses are plenty in the Maldives which is utilized in weaving mats.

Maldives arts and crafts is divided into five types, lacquer ware, woven mats, coconut products, boat building and jewelry-silver, mother of pearl, gold and of course coral. There is a high demand for household items made from local materials, coconut graters and coconut shell spoons are always sold out. Because the Maldives is surrounded by water, jewelry made from materials gathered from the ocean like mother of pearl and black corals sell like hotcakes, women in the Maldives and tourists alike love and adore them.

Highly skilled craftsmen in the Maldives would shape wood into their desired design, this highly technical skill is called lacquering, they use a lathe to mold the wood.

Women in the Maldives would use reeds to weave mats into various shapes and sizes. Other popular handicrafts in the Maldives are woven palm leaf baskets and reed trays used for winnowing rice.

When in the Maldives, make sure to pick up some of its local arts and crafts, these unique pieces make for a great remembrance of your vacation in the Maldives.

Moorish Idol

The majestic Zanclus Cornutus, more famously known as the moorish idol, is one of the most popular fish among saltwater aquarium enthusiasts all over the world. The only member of the Zanclidae family, the moorish idol is commonly sighted in the exotic Indo-Pacific waters. The moorish idol is often mistaken for a butterfly fish, due to some very similar features.

Moorish Idols

Moorish Idol Habitat

Despite its popularity among aquarium hobbyists, the moorish idol, like most fish, is best suited in its natural habitat, particularly because of the creature’s acute sensitivity to water temperature. Commonly found in depths of 3m to 180m in both clear and cloudy waters, the moorish idol is usually spotted swimming alone because of its tendency to fight with other moorish idols.

Moorish Idol Appearance

Adult moorish idols grow to an average lengy of 4-6 inches, although some can reach up to 9 inches. Its distinct features are a long dorsal fin end with thread-like tip, long snout, three bold black bands over the eye to ventral fins, rear body and on the tail.

Moorish Idol Diet

In its natural habitat, the moorish idol is usually found on flat reefs preying on sponges, tunicates, and other small invertebrates to satisfy its rather indifferent appetite. In captivity, the moorish idol can be a far pickier eater.

Moorish Idol Behaviour Toward Scuba Divers

Moorish idols are quite harmless marine creatures and safe to dive around with.  The moorish idol is not an endangered species and as such is not on the IUCN list  of threatened species.

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The Maldives is undeniably a beautiful tropical paradise, but aside from the obvious physical wonders, the Maldives has so much to offer when it comes to its dances and music. They say that one can know the history of a country through its dances and music, this holds true for the Maldives, a lot of its dances and music came from its rich history, here are some of the more popular dances and music in the Maldives.

The Bodu Beru is a tribal dance that usually takes place during festive occasions, there is one lead singer and 10-15 people join in chorus, the instruments used in this dance consist of four drums made from coconut wood, people of different age groups in the Maldives perform this dance in a festive mood.

Bandiyaa Jehun Dance is a popular dance performed by women in the Maldives, they hold metal water pots and tap this with their finger ring in a rhythmic way. Nowadays, some new things have been added to keep up with the changing times like the use of a musical instrument like drums or harmonica.

Bolimalaafath Neshun is folk dance carried out by the women in the Maldives, this dance depicts an old tradition of offering gifts to the Sultan. The baskets contains shells placed in beautifully crafted vases, since the Maldives have changed their form of government from monarchy to republic the offering part of the dance was omitted.

Thaara fold music consists of 22 men seating across each other, this involves singing and dancing. Traditionally, this type of music is performed in the fulfillment of vows, the tempo of the song starts out slow and picks up pace to reach a crescendo. Maldives Thaara folk music is very relaxing and sometimes has a semi religious touch.

These are just some of the dances and music in the Maldives, come to this island getaway and experience all these colorful and lively traditions in real.