Fishing in Maldives: An Unforgettable Experience


It is not only an occupation, not just an amusement; it is the ‘lifeblood’ of Maldives and it is fishing that we are talking about. The deep connection of fishing to the beginning of the Maldivian connection, indeed, vivifies Maldives’ charm. The history of Maldives indicates that this Marine Life Paradise was first discovered by fishermen, who were looking for an abundant source of underwater marine life. Now it is the second main industry of the nation and is supported by the Government, actively. Several initiatives of liberalization and deregulation have been undertaken to increase export and invite more foreign investments. Both on commercial and recreational basis, fishing is considered to be an integral part of Maldives’ social mainstream.

Some Facts:
  • Fishing industry contributes 20% share to the GDP, and 10% of the population is employed in this occupation.
  • Presently, the entire fishing fleet of the nation comprises of over 1500 small fishing boats called ‘dhoni’. Most of them have been mechanized for increasing efficiency.
  • The Exclusive Economic Zone of Maldives covers around 9,00,000 square kilometers, where special fishing rights are granted.

The most common catches are Tuna, Groupers, Dolphin Fishes, Barracuda, Rainbow runner etc. The different types of fisheries include:

  • Reef Fisheries: Fishery for reef fish and other organisms which are sheltered by coral reefs
  • Pelagic Fisheries: For fishes found in the open ocean, like small schooling forage fish and larger predators like Tuna and Ocean Sharks
  • Mariculture: Inland culture of marine organisms in sea water like pearls, giant clams and spiny lobsters

  • But fishing in Maldives is not only a commercial activity among the locals; the frenzy escalates with fishing as a recreational activity for tourists. The turquoise water, the sun-soaked bright white beaches and the tropical weather makes Maldives an incredible fishing park. Most of the resorts organize fishing trips that generally end with a wonderful barbecue dinner under the tranquil dark sky. All you need to do is get into your comfy casuals, grab your fishing rod and get on your special ride (here, boat) to experience some delirious moments with the tuna, groupers, dolphin fishes, barracuda, rainbow runner, emperors, trevally and many blue water superstars around. To add more excitement, showcase your sleight at the two most popular fishing tours-

  • Big Game Fishing and
  • Night fishing

  • Prognosticate the weather, discern and choose a location and you can advance towards catching big fishes like sailfish, yellow tuna, marlin, barracuda, wahoo and many other big fishes. The Big Game Fishing is generally excursed out of the atolls and the mornings suit the sport better. You can hire the boat and/ or all the latest fishing equipments from your resort or dive school in Maldives, but before going for the fun, make sure you gather information about the fishing norms, protected fishing areas and the best fishing territories. It is a real treat when it comes to night fishing in Maldives. Amidst nature’s nocturnal splendor, the excursion becomes a fascinating experience with the soothing music of waves and the dreamy night view. But, this time as well, you have to be obedient with the norms in Maldives. The Government strictly prohibits using harpoon gun and hunting whales and dolphins. However, you can definitely enjoy catching snappers, emperors, barracuda, squirrel fish and jacks.
    So, what are you imagining? Already draped in your fishing kits?

    Cruising in Maldives: A Fantasy Come True




    Exploring the seas never gave you more incentive than the excuse of cruising in the Maldives does. The tropical climate that prevails on Maldivian atmosphere, throughout the year, is perhaps a cherry on the cake. The best time to be abound the seas is from August to February. Let us now take a look at what a typical cruise around the Maldivian atolls entails. The Hulumale lagoon, an extension of the airport reef, is a must as an anchor-point for the boat. There are some familiarizing dives to the depths of the ocean floor that contains enough wealth to blind one’s eyes with out-of-the-world spectacles. These are then followed by other dives in regions like the Banana Reef or the Airport outside. Mantas reign uninhibited in these regions, especially in summer. Reef fish, reef sharks, moray eels, turtles, sea snakes and a terrific variety of rays are other denizens of the part of the Indian Ocean surrounding Maldives.

    Continuing on the cruise, you would move on to the North and South Male atolls, the Ari atoll, and other surrounding atolls, keeping confined to mostly the central areas of Maldives. These atolls also fall under the most beautiful, most viewable part of the Maldivian islands.

    On your cruise yatch, there are at least twenty different kinds of activities you can indulge in. These are equipped with sundecks where you can lie in lazy comfort to sunbathe with the water lapping around, pools and game rooms where you can indulge in chess or cards, facilities of television, phone and mini bars, air conditioning, lounges: the boats score very high on the convenience scale. The charming little boats will also be free of any bouts of motion- or sea-sickness; so, worry not. Neatly topped with friendly crews, excellent food in various popular and delectable cuisines, and impeccable service and hospitability, the yatches are almost just as fun as your cruise!

    What you fill the cruise is actually up to you. Are you the kind that has been brought to your glorious hideaway in search of pure peace and intimate privacy? You could lie on the decks under the sun or the stars. You could dine in full view of the playful Maldivian aquatic life. You could contemplate the depths of the mighty, beautiful ocean you sail upon. Or are you the kind that seeks to fill days with as much adventure as you could garner, away from the dull routine of your city life? Go fishing; enjoy water sports like snorkeling or scuba diving; set sail in the lap of the ocean; be one with the wind with paragliding or windsurfing. The choice, we take pleasure to announce, is very exclusively yours!

    Ithaa, Hilton Maldives – the First Underwater Restaurant


    A pearl- untouched, pristine, unique and enfolded in the ocean’s womb- is certainly the right analog to Ithaa, the world’s first underwater restaurant brought forth by the Hilton Maldives Resort. Putting all the false “underwater” claims of other restaurants surrounded by aquarium views to shame, Ithaa stands ,majestically, submerged in the deep blue belly of the Indian Ocean, five meters below sea level. Hilton Worldwide Resorts, with their wide global network of resorts in exotic locales like the Americas, the Arabian Gulf, the Asia-pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, Egypt and the Indian Ocean, have invested a whopping sum of five million US Dollars to create the most sensational experience of dining amidst the dazzling wealth of the Maldivian sea life.

    Mr. Ahmed Saleem, one of the owners of the Hilton, conceived the idea in Bali after a stay in a room that was built in the side of a hill, overlooking a river. Coming to fruition three years later with the completion of its installing process in November 2004, and with its grand opening on April 15th 2005, the underwater Ithaa restaurant is an experience beyond the wildest dreams of an avid diver. Designers, MJ Murphy, New Zealand take great pride in calling it their own creation, and so does the construction firm in Singapore.

    Offering 270 degrees of panoramic sea view, the curved transparent acrylic walls sit upon a bed of timber, supported on four concrete-filled steel piles driven into the seabed. A top-notch air conditioning system operating at 60% humidity and varying temperatures throughout the day was next in order, and followed up with installation by a team of divers and 50 natives for approximately thirteen hours, the job was done. Now, the restaurant is truly a pearl perched amidst the resort’s renowned house reef and the electric blue lagoon.

    The restaurant is reached by a wooden walkway from the nearby overwater Sunset Grill Restaurant. After a session of drinks over the water, the guests may descend to Ithaa via a spiral staircase and ogle at the five-by-nine-meters-large intimate little setting, seating only fourteen people at once. Exclusivity and romance are key points against the backdrop of the really aquatic beyond-the-glass jaw dropper!

    As expected, the cuisine served in the dazzlingly unique restaurant is just as delectable as the novelty of the experience of dining with the ocean’s denizens milling around. Playing up the theme of Contemporary Maldivian cuisine, the chefs take native spices and traditional flavors and turn them around to whip up fusion dishes that are at par with some of the best restaurants in London or New York.

    The kitchen does not fail to catch your attention with starters like pan-fried vegetable Samosas, duck and fish dishes, smoked salmon and Maldivian herbal tea. Keeping up with the fusion spirit are selected Maldivian flat breads and main courses that include red snapper, vegetables in mild curries, baked duck and roasted lamb in Maldivian preparations, reef fish and lobster with delicate sauces and served with Maldivian rice on the side. Desserts such as candied mango mousse, or frozen yoghurt, or muffins or tropical fruit would surely not fail to end the finest meals in a befitting style. The wine concept titillates just as much, coming as the drinks are from the fine Champagne estate Louis Roederer.

    The stirring picture of chicken roll filled with lime and dates on a curry paste sauce on your plate, a tall flute of champagne on the side, and sharks and rays lazing over the wide coral reef or staring you in the eyes, just a tilt of the head away, should be quite enough to call an abstaining saint on for a visit, surely!

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