Fishing in Maldives: An Unforgettable Experience

Thursday, October 28, 2010 Maldives Live


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?

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    Cruising in Maldives: A Fantasy Come True

    Wednesday, October 27, 2010 Maldives Live




    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!

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    Ithaa, Hilton Maldives – the First Underwater Restaurant

    Saturday, October 23, 2010 Maldives Live


    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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    Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru - Oozing Indulgence

    Wednesday, September 29, 2010 Maldives Live


    Need a reason to smile? If you possess an affinity for house reefs, you’ve got one stout reason just here - Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru. Come along!

    There is an increased preference particularly among the tourists fond of tropical holiday destinations. A major portion of them ask if there is a house reef among the lined-up attractions. If, by any chance, you identify yourself with them, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is highly recommended. Banyan Tree offers you the distinct Maldivian experience with one of the best house reefs in Maldives. Most of the thousand-plus islands here are custom-made for a fascinating desert island escape, and Vabbinfaru stands no exception to it. A dense knot of palm at your back and a sparkling white baby powder-like beach in front, fading towards the crystal blue water-words fall short to describe how mighty it feels like being there.

    Even the accommodation is touched by the embryonic sense of Maldives. The 48 rustic villas are nestled in a densely forested island large enough to comprise them all and let anyone breathe in the cozy air. In every air-conditioned villa, you enjoy a bedroom with an open terrace, four-poster king-sized bed, recessed sitting area, daybed, open-air jet pool and private sundeck. The Vabbinfaru Villas are complemented by a private pavilion in the garden. These villas are designed to make a suitable stay for families and small touring groups. But what serves uniqueness is the conical thatched roof villas that theme the idyllic aura of Maldives.

    When it comes to dinning, the adventure of choosing from an assortment of cuisines extends your bliss. There are options of delicious Maldivian cuisine and international cuisine at the beachfront Ilaafathi or Sangu garden restaurants. You may savor a private barbeque at the terrace of their villas if you would love to spend some quality time with your partner. The Sandbank Dinner of fresh sea food is the last thing to be missed ;it bestows the moment with the unique ocean-scape of Maldives. The fun, however, is incomplete unless you cook what you like to eat. So why not master your cooking skills with Maldivian dishes? The culinary demonstrations are specially organized for you to learn cooking traditional Maldivian dishes from the resort chefs. You can, thereby, always relive the moments spent in Maldives, at home. The mere thought entices you, isn’t it?

    Needless to say, a tour in Maldives must consummate with perfection by lying on the tranquil bed of a spa. Banyan Tree Spa Vabbinfaru promises unmatchable service and an unforgettable indulgence while bringing the fine balance in your health. There are five deluxe spa pavilions, with side by side couple massage beds and open air showers. The two standard rooms are named Hirundhu Maa and Dhiggaa Maa, and the three deluxe rooms are
    Huvandhu Maa, Finifen Maa and Asuru Maa, decked beautifully with local exotic flowers.

    If you thought that something is still missing, Vabbinfaru doesn’t fall behind when it comes to the very popular recreations activities. The celebrated Diving ecstasy of Maldives can be enjoyed in the PADI Gold Palm Five Star Resort Dive Centre. Other than that, there are various watersports, marine lab, health and fitness room, culinary demonstration, star gazing, day excursions and special arrangements for wedding ceremonies.

    What stands out of all the experiences is the Banyan Velaa trip. It’s an awesome sailing experience on a Turkish gullet that is a 30 meter long classic flagged double mast yacht.

    There are one, two and three night packages with a customized itinerary based on prevailing ocean conditions and availability of picnic islands and dive sites. Don’t forget to catch; they are unique items on the list.

    We would love to see you in consonance with our conviction that Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru stands tall as a high-class resort. Stay here to breathe in the aura of its optimism.

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    Top Ten Things To Do In Maldives

    Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Maldives Live


    Life is short and you want to enjoy every moment of it. Why not, then, engage in what Maldives has to offer to you! The extent of activities, that you may indulge yourself in, is extremely wide and fascinating. Right from things demanding physical involvement to the ones involving mere observation, there is a lot awaiting your arrival in Maldives.

    Each activity is captivating in itself, offering varying levels of fun and enjoyment. Mentioned below are ten best activities, according to us, which you can engage in, while in the Maldives:-

    • Water Sports & Activities: There is a lot to do on the Maldivian islands; crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean provides you enough opportunities to play. Parasailing, snorkeling, banana boating, scuba diving will let you open yourself up and you can float, dive and cuddle up with water. The importance of water activities in the Maldives is such that even professional water sports enthusiasts visit this place to experience the excitement of water sports on offer here.

    • Sightseeing: Maldives has numerous repositories and buildings that are worth watching. The beauty and grace of these sights are capable of leaving any person astounded. Some of the famous places that you can visit in the Maldives are Hukuru Miski, Sultan Park, National Museum etc, in the capital city of Male’. The National Museum is situated in a palace where you will find a number of old instruments and sculptures.

    • The Flora And Fauna: You sure wouldn’t want to miss this. Look out for the beautiful life under the Maldivian waters! They serve as a beautiful habitat to the amazing flora and fauna of Maldives. A huge variety of rare species of fishes, squids, whales, dolphins and many other stunning creatures living among the fascinating structures of coral elements and rare stones send out waves of visual pleasure. Although less in number, the birds and trees belong to rare families and they are a great source of attraction to the visitors.

    • Living On A Liveaboard: Another very interesting thing to do in Maldives is to experience the islands' beauty on a liveaboard. The people who benefit the most out of liveaboards are the divers. Dive into the water and pick up the chance to get the divine experience without worrying about going back to various diving spots to dive every time.

    • Experiencing The Nightlife: Just in case you thought that nightlife in Maldives can’t be exciting, a typical night in a good Maldives resort is beautiful, mild and just the way one would want it to be on a vacation. The well-arranged bars and discos facilitate the purpose of letting the visitors loosen up and provide them with moments to enjoy their life. It's balmy, modest and just perfect.

    • Fishing: The comely water bodies in Maldives allow tourists a very pleasant experience of fishing. In addition to this, fishing in the night can also be looked upon as a very good activity to do here.

    • Island Hopping: As the name suggests, it has to do with hopping from one island to the other! You can visit the islands which are situated next to the island you are staying on. Observe the fascinating life of the local people on these islands and view the exotic scenery. You are bound to receive a holistic sight of the lifestyle of the local inhabitants.

    • Wedding: Get wedded! With wedding bells ringing for you, you may want to get married on a Maldivian island; it might just be one of the most delightful experiences. The fantastic locations and settings on the islands are just perfect for a dreamy wedding.

    • Massage At a Spa: Apart from the water sports and the beautiful sceneries in the country, the spas in Maldives are worth spending a considerable amount of time in relaxing and reviving your body muscles, where each has that perfect ambience to soothe you. Come to the spas in Maldives and rejuvenate your senses! There is a wide variety to choose from.

    • Enjoying The Food: Maldives offers plenty of restaurants and eating spots, which provide multi-cuisine dishes to excite the taste-buds of every person visiting the place. No wonder that Maldivian food is so popular worldwide! The food, here, is heavenly for sea-food lovers.

    Do you need more reasons from Maldives to attract you? Maldives is calling!

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    Planning A Trip To the Maldives

    Saturday, September 11, 2010 Maldives Live


    As one steps on the land of the Maldives, nature's grandeur forces any heart to skip a beat. The eyes witness a magnificent view of nature's glorious creation on earth - the Maldives. The green colour of the islands surrounded by pure blue water bodies of the Indian Ocean and the glistering white sand is bound to take anyone's breath away. It has been rightly termed as 'The Tropical Paradise'.

    The country has separate islands, which are separated by the sea. 99% of Maldives is covered by sea. There are over five thousand coral reefs and plenty of reef fish, corals, marine mammals, and so many other marine lives which make diving in the Maldivian sea an unforgettable experience.

    As you take a first look of the islands, you can find numerous coconut palms surrounding the acres of land. This adds to the grace of the islands. The view of the islands, while travelling on a seaplane, is the most tremendous experience one can ever have. Approximately 1190 coral islands grouped in a double chain of atolls (coral reefs) constitute the country of the Maldives. Spread across an approximate area of about 90,000 sq. kilometers, Maldives is one of the most disparate countries in the world.

    Home to an extended variety of ecosystems, the country is best known for its elegant coral reefs, which acts as a habitat to about 300 species of fish. This is one of the most fascinating reasons as to why the Maldives is considered as a highly recommended place for spending vacations or to experience moments of sheer bliss

    To Keep In Mind:-

    Before making a trip to the Maldives, many significant issues have to be kept in mind. To ease off the job, here are a few points which can be considered -

    Getting To The Maldives- Getting to Maldives is not as tough as one might think because it is a tropical area surrounded by water bodies. The Male' International Airport is just 15 minutes from Male', the capital of Maldives. The airport is small but fully equipped with all the necessities that should be present on an airport. The tourists get highly efficient assistance at the airport to make their way to the islands and resorts. There are various means of getting ahead once you reach the airport such as- seaplanes, boats etc.

    Clothes To Be Picked- The climate in the Maldives is dominated by mild sunshine on the islands. Hence, the ideal type of dressing items that should be packed before getting to Maldives is light summer clothes, preferably cotton and accessories.

    Arrangement Of Stay- Tourists coming to the Maldives should have a prior peek at the accomodation facilities at their selected resort of stay. There are numerous classic resorts in the Maldives with every facility one can think of. There are starred resorts and hotels for the luxury loving people, who have a lot of moolah to spare, as well as low end hotels for the budget-conscious crowd. However, the beauty of the stay in the Maldives still remains untouched, irrespective of any other element. To get a better understanding of the accommodation arrangements, tourists can seek assistance from various service providers available.

    Choosing reliable service providers also makes the whole holiday more planned, organised, convenient and affordable. A particular service provider should be chosen from the kind of offers they provide, as the offers vary from operator to operator.

    Fascinating Activities- There are various activities which can make your trip memorable and cherished, for a lifetime.
    • Scuba diving
    • Water sports
    • Excursions to various exotic local islands
    • Spa and wellness
    • Snorkeling
    • Surfing
    • Fishing
    • Angling
    • Reef casting
    • Sailing
    So, it is upto you to decide which form of excitement is to be experienced in the splendid Maldives and it is for sure that the place will leave your memories of this visit tingling your mind forever.

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    Journey into Maldives History, Culture & Heritage

    Friday, September 10, 2010 Maldives Live


    Maldives, a country of exquisite islands and absolute touring pleasure, has undergone several transformations in cultural and political terms since the ancient days. Maldives culture bears influences from multiple communities which originated from differant parts of the world. It is diverse and rich in artfull skills.The abundance of natural marine resources, and its strategic importance of the location have attracted many eyes, including colonial ambitions. This, in turn, made those early visitors contribute their inherited cultural mementos.

    There is no concrete conclusion to the origin of the beginners of civilization in Maldives , but comparitive studies of Maldivian culture and customs suggest that they are most likely to have come from the southern parts of the Indian subcontinent. There is prominent influence of Sinhalese, Sanskrit and Tamil in Maldivian language (though hints of Arabic, Urdu and Persian also exist). The Historians also believe that the Aryan immigrants from India and Sri Lanka came here in the 5th century BC. Until 1153, Buddhism was practiced. During its earliest decades, Maldives was governed by Kings and Queens (occasionally), but in 1153, a huge conversion to the Islam practices took place when the king adopted Islam, by a learned scholar. The governance of the Monarchy took its inception. The Portugese found their interest in this prolific source of Cowry Shells, Ambergris and Coir Ropes. They seized control in 1558 after attacking the Capital Male'; that was the time when colonial invasions started hunting this nation. But after a restless period and attempts made against the Portugese Ruling, Maldives regained its control. The nation came under British protectorate in 1887. Finally, Maldives achieved independence in 1965 and the republic was established.

    Maldivian culture has evolved with different elements from several sources, but closer connections can be attributed to those from South India and Sri Lanka. African elements are also visible in some islands of the Northern Ari Atoll and Southern Maalhosmadulhu Atoll. With later influence from the Northern part of the Indian subcontinent, the language is said to be of Indo-Iranian Sanskrit origin. Belonging to the conversion in the 12th century, the central ideas of religious faith is dominated by Islamic traditions.

    There is no remarkable archeological artifact of the earliest Maldives civilization. The headmen of the society did not mandate getting a palace of stone build for them to reside. There was no religious requirement of large temples or compounds. The buildings were possibly made of wood and other perishable materials which have been decayed by salt and wind of the tropical climate. You can see the music played with bodu-beeru, bearing close resemblence to African drumming. The unique Maldivian sailing boat "Dhoni" has congruence with the typical Arabian dows and demonstrates high skilled craftsmanship. The fine artistic capabilities are evident in the subtle designs on the wood beams of antique mosques. This represents the inspiration of South East Asian architecture. The incomparable geometric designs on mats, the embriodered necklines and ornaments as a part of women's traditional dress, spot another notion of creativity. These art might have been derived from some unknown origin.

    Maldivian society is very adaptive to cultural reformations and influences from outside. The basic occupation of fishing still prevails in the local lifestyle where tourism, quite evidently, has occupied a large share of the commercial activities. Despite the traditional belief of 'Unity in Faith', a whole new idea of liberalization has taken place with changes in time. Waves of modernisation have characterised new dimension to its belief and identity.

    Well, did you notice that Maldives' history of invasions is very much similar to India's?

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