[Maldives] Trip Report : MAR.16 – 22, 2019, Male – Ari – Vaavu Route Vol.2

[#Maldives] Trip Report : MAR.16 – 22, 2019, #Male – #Ari – #Vaavu Route Vol.2

The day 3, the 1st dive of the day was at Sunisland Out in the South Ari atoll. It was cleared nicely after the squall passed the evening before. We were searching for Whale Sharks but there was no sign of it unfortunately. The 2nd dive was also searching for Whale Sharks at Maamigili Out.  At first, we looked from the boat. Found Manta Ray, then Dolphins. And then, yes! A Whale Shark finally appeared! We immediately put the snorkel gear on to get ready to swim with. But it has gone away. Sigh. Although we could not find him again in the water, however, cheered up by Black Pyramid Butterflyfish, Neon Fusiliers, Variablelined Fusilers and Humpback Red Snappers at the reef.

The day 4, the 1st dive of the day was at Fotteyo in the Vaavu atoll. The visibility was great as 30+ meters. Right after we entered in, there was a Hammerhead Shark appeared. Yay! Then, we all had time to take pictures of Elegant Firefish, which we could find many in here.  Grey Reef Sharks and Dogtooth Tunas were swimming in the blue water. And the beautiful soft corals were good to see as well. The 2nd dive was at Fushi Kandu. The cool looking Spotted Eagle Ray welcomed us. The Indian Bannerfish, Collare Butterflyfish and cute Map Puffers were seen in the channel. I love this east side of the atoll because of the visibility. The 3rd dive was at Golden Wall. Grey Reef Sharks, Dogtooth Tunas, Scrawled Butterflyfish, Triangle Butterflyfish and Evansi Anthias were seen. The 4th dive was at Alimathaa Jetty as a night dive. It was such an exciting dive with Giant Trevallies, Bluefin Trevallies, Tawny Nurse Sharks and Pink Whiprays were aggressively passing everywhre. It is very interesting that they look totally different in the night time.

The air temperature was 26-33 deg.C.  The water temperature was 28-29 deg.C. The 3mm wetsuit was recommended. To be continued…