These gentle giants of the sea needs to be protected for future generations to come.

The Maldives known for pristine white sand beaches and azure waters aims to protect the species that call its waters home by designating protected areas for different marine species. Most marine creatures in the Maldives are on the watch list of environmental organization as becoming an endangered species or is already on the list. The Maldives government is taking steps to make sure that these fragile and helpless sea dwellers will be protected from abusive fishermen.

Why protect the whale shark?

The Maldives government recognizes the importance of whale sharks to the delicate balance of the marine eco-system. These gentle giants of the deep eat a tons of plankton and tiny fish and squid, if they are to disappear, the balance of planktons in the ocean waters will be disturbed. The Maldives rely heavily on tourism for their income, whale sharks in particular attracts a lot of visitors to the Maldives to see these massive creatures in their natural habitat.

The Maldives government announces several protected areas for whale sharks.

Baa atoll Hanifaru, Baa atoll An’gafaru and Alif Dhaal atoll Maamigili were all announced by the Maldives government as protected areas for whale sharks. There’s not much data with regards to whale sharks, these pronouncements will give researchers an easier time in gathering important data about these marine creatures. This does not mean that tourists can’t access the protected waters anymore, the Maldives government has set up guidelines as to how to deal with encounters with whale sharks.

We must do our part in preserving the our environment for future generations to come. The Maldives is in the forefront of such action, the Maldives government and its people are making sure that whale sharks are protected from human abuse. Come to the Maldives and get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures of the deep.

Enjoy the breathtaking underwater scenery while scuba diving in the Maldives.

Scuba diving in the Maldives should be on everyone’s bucket list. A must if you are a scuba diving enthusiast. No where in the world will you find big schools of fish and coral gardens with colors only mother nature can come up with. Inspiring and spectacular is how this island paradise is described. A harmony of different marine species call the waters of the Maldives home. Scuba diving in this part of the world will simply take you to a different world where sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays and whale sharks all live together in perfect harmony.

Plan a scuba diving safari in the Maldives.

Most resorts in the Maldives have their own dive centers that can plan different scuba diving expeditions. There are hundreds of scuba diving spots in the Maldives that have their unique characteristics.Each spot would have different species of fish and marine mammals.You can scuba dive at a maximum of three spots a day but if you are on a liveaboard down time is less therefore more time in the water scuba diving.

There are different types of scuba diving you can enjoy in the Maldives.

Wreck scuba diving and cave scuba diving are for more experienced divers. If you are one, then the Maldives has some wreck sites that you can explore. Learn some historical tidbits are you visit sunken ships that have been there for hundreds of years. Discover exotic fish in caves, there are some fish that you don’t see out in the open, they dwell in the darkness of the caves underneath the water. Feel the excitement and the rush while scuba diving into a cave.

A Maldivian vacation is not complete without seeing the sharks.

A vacation to the Maldives is not complete without experiencing one exciting activity, shark watching in the Maldives has been drawing in hordes of tourists who want to have a close encounter with these predators of the deep. There are over 20 species of sharks that live in the waters of the Maldives. The following is a short guide to the sharks of the Maldives with some descriptions to help you identify them.

The whale shark is the largest fish in the world. They can reach lengths of up to 40 feet, most tourists would say that spotting a whale shark is the highlight of their vacation in the Maldives. Most whale sharks are colored grey with white spots, there gentle giants of the deep are very docile, this allows you to some close to them. This is every scuba divers dream of seeing, the Maldives is the best place to spot them.

Tiger sharks are commonly spotted in the Maldives, it is the second largest predatory shark, it also the second most aggressive shark. They can be indentified by its tiger like stripes on its upper body. Tiger sharks can up to 9 feet long. To see a tiger shark in the Maldives is a real treat but divers are advised to stay away from these man eating creatures.

One of the more odd looking creatures of the sea, the hammerhead shark can easily be spotted, there are now nine identified species of hammerhead sharks. Hammerhead Point, also known as Madivaru Corner, is a dive site in Rasdhoo Atoll, Maldives, where hammerhead sharks pass by every morning. This diving site is a must for any diving enthusiasts.

The white tip reef shark can be identified by a white tip on its dorsal fin. This shark is more active at night and as the name suggests, it is found commonly around the reefs.

The Oceanic White-Tip Shark is abundant in the Maldives water, but it is rarely seen by divers since it spends most of its time out in the ocean, away from the reef.

Grey reef sharks are common in the Maldives and popular among divers. Some time ago, divers gathered to feed and watch the sharks but too much damage was done to the coral reefs so they had to stop this activity.

Before you visit this island nation here are some facts that you might want to know.

Lets get to know the Maldives a little bit more, aside from white sandy beaches and immaculate blue lagoons there is much to know about the Maldives. Here are some fast facts for you to get to know more about this tiny island nation on the equator.

The official name of the Maldives is the Republic of the Maldives, the local long form name for the Maldives is Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa. The Maldives has 1199 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls. The capital of the Maldives is Male and their currency is Maldivian Rufiyaa and their official language is Divehi. The Maldives is the least populated country in Asia and is the smallest Muslim nation in the world. Being voted as one of the top tourism destination in the world and surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Maldives rely heavily on tourism and fishery for its income. The Maldives is the flattest country in the world with the highest point just 2.4 m above sea level. The Maldives is an independent country throughout history except for a brief Portuguese occupation for 15 years.

Discover other facts about the Maldives when you visit this island getaway.

The Maldives is the last paradise on earth with its sparkling blue waters and white sand beaches, it can’t be denied that the Maldives is one of the best tourist destinations in the world. 1,026 islands make up the Maldives, each island is equally beautiful but before we go to a foreign country, here are some tips to help make your vacation a fuss free one.

The best time to visit the Maldives is from December to April, though this island paradise enjoys year long sunshine there are monsoon months that may dampen your holiday mood. Avoid the months of May to November if you want a little more time under the sun in the Maldives.

Don’t bring anything thick or heavy. Light and airy clothes are what you will wear in the Maldives, the sun shines all the time and the temperature is always warm, so there’s no need for those thick coats.

Don’t leave your hotel room without your travel documents with you, the Maldives is a foreign country so make sure you have all the necessary documents.

Make sure you are familiar with all the rules and regulations in the Maldives, the government is very strict in implementing these rules, no one is exempted.

Travel insurance goes a long way, a mere $70 can save you a lot of money if any accidents happen while on vacation in the Maldives.

Never tell any stranger where you are staying or where you are going and also don’t count your money in front of a stranger.

The Maldives is a tropical country, there might be some health risks involved, for your peace of mind get necessary vaccines if needed.

Though there are drug stores in the Maldives where you can buy medicine from, it would save you time and money if you bring your own medicine.

Learn some local phrases to help you get around the country easier. The Maldives being a tourist spot means that some people there can speak English.

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.

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.

It is only in the Maldives that we get to see an abundance of marine life. The Maldives is ranked among the top countries for dolphin and whale watching. There are over 20 species dolphins that call the Maldives home. That accounts for a quarter of all the species of this kind in the world. This delightful spinner dolphins are among the most visible marine mammals in the waters of the Maldives.

Spot spinner dolphins in the morning and afternoon.

The most common species of dolphins in the Maldives is the spinner dolphins. These marine mammals whose number is in the tens of thousands call the Maldives home. They have a daily routine of feeding offshore in the dark, coming into the shallow waters in the morning and leaving for deeper waters in the afternoon. This daily routine means that it is easy to spot these dolphins, hotels and resorts offer watching excursions in the morning and in the later afternoon. These spinner dolphins are a main tourist attraction in the Maldives, bringing in hundreds of tourists that want to see this friendly creatures spin their way into their hearts. Watch these spinner dolphins play in their natural environment in the Maldives.

A pod of dolphins puts on a show.

Come to the Maldives and experience this wonderful creatures as they give you a performance you will remember forever. The Maldives, where dolphins and humans come to play.