Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in the Maldives

A short cruise is the best way of visiting the islandsShoals of brightly colored fish swam by within inches
of the Maldives. Several islands can be visited in theof me as though I were a piece of coral, which
course of a week. Many are uninhabited andhappened to be shaped like a human being with a
unspoiled by humans.mask on. A turtle came by; I followed, moving my
While cruising to the Baa Atoll we visited theflippers in time with his legs as he lazily swam along
uninhabited island of Milaidhoo - declared to be thethe reef. A stone fish lay in a recess in the coral and
very best for snorkeling and diving. It was thenearby a sea cucumber resembling a giant millipede in
opportunity for an introductory one-day scuba divinggreen.
trip for $96. Instruction was given on the essentialOthers in on our cruise had donned mask and snorkel
theory in the morning and then over the reef toto view the fish in the shallow waters. It made the
share the waters with a multitude of fish at a depthStingrays more visible so there was less chance of
of 30 to 40 feet.stepping on them. It could make them very annoyed.
We were weighted to give us neutral buoyancy andWhen scuba diving it is not necessary to be so wary
make it easier to stay submerged. It was remarkableof the sun, but it is unwise to swim on the surface
how much our buoyancy changed as I breathed infor more than 20 minutes.
and out. A full breath would make me less dense soOnce back on shore we would take shelter amongst
that I ascended to the surface. Beyond the reef thethe trees where barbecued fish were sizzling ready
sea was hundreds of feet deep, a point to bear infor lunch. Further tables were loaded with a variety
mind when breathing out and descending to a greaterof fruit and vegetables. We sat at trestle tables in
depth. I was careful to keep at the same depth asthe shade of the trees.
the instructor.