News
Maldives: mantas and more…
The Maldives is an iconic dive destination, thanks to its white sand beaches, coral reef diving in warm waters, and abundance of whale sharks and manta rays. Consisting of 26 atolls dotted across the Indian Ocean, it is picture-perfect and at the top of many divers wish lists.
The different Maldives atolls each have their own characteristic dive sites and offer a variety of dive types; from atoll walls and channels to caves, swim-throughs, drift dives and lagoon diving. They each have an impressive array of marine life from large pelagic species through to tiny critters perfect for underwater macro photography. This variety of marine life and dive sites make the Maldives an ideal destination for all diver experience levels and interests.
There are plenty of Maldives liveaboards to choose from that cater for all budgets. During the southwest season, they focus their itineraries around the western sides of the atolls in search of big marine life. It is a great time of year for fans of big pelagics and divers can enjoy encounters with hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, whale sharks and manta rays. All whilst diving in warm waters of 26 °C.
The Scubaspa Fleet is the ultimate in luxurious Maldives liveaboard diving and guests can enjoy daily morning yoga sessions before a full day of diving, then complete their day by relaxing in the onboard luxury spa.
Photo: Scubaspa Fleet
Ari Atoll has 105 small islands and is known for its submerged pinnacles that attract plentiful marine life, including manta rays. This atoll has several cleaning stations where divers can get close to manta rays, such as Mayya Thila and Donkalo Thila. Some of the most dependable dive sites for manta ray sightings are located in southern Ari Atoll and there are a variety of dive sites to choose from there. Scuba diving Rangali Madivaru in the northeast monsoon season gives the best chance of seeing manta rays searching for cleaning stations. The currents are strong at Ari Atoll and most of the dives are drift dives, so the diving is best suited to experienced divers.
Baa Atoll, one of the Northern Atolls, hosts manta rays at Dhonfanu Thila and Dhigali Haa; two underwater pinnacles covered in bushy black corals, whip corals and sea fans. Hanifaru Bay is world-famous for its feeding manta ray congregations from August to November. This small enclosed bay hosts hundreds of feeding manta rays that barrel roll and swim to the surface to funnel plankton within the bay. This feeding pattern can be witnessed from liveaboard boats or whilst snorkelling with the rays. The diversity of dive sites at Baa Atoll make it a great location for all diver experience levels.
Photo: Scubaspa Fleet
Rasdhoo Atoll consists of just 4 islands and 3 sandbanks, lying off Ari Atoll. It offers easy accessibility to some of the best Maldives dive sites and is known for diving with larger species and its two World War II shipwrecks. Madivaru reef hosts diverse marine life including grey reef sharks, eagle rays, mobula rays, stingrays, turtles and mantas. Dolphins, guitar sharks and scalloped hammerheads can also be seen there. It is an unmissable Maldives dive site. Manta Block is also great for manta ray sightings at cleaning stations, particularly during November to April.
Hammerhead Point is another Rasdhoo Atoll highlight and is not to be missed for hammerhead shark diving. Many of the dive sites at Rasdhoo Atoll are suitable for less experienced divers, though some of the dive sites are deep. An advanced certification is recommended to make the most of the dive sites there.
Photo: Scubaspa Fleet
North Male Atoll is a well-known dive area that has plenty of manta rays, reef sharks, and dive sites offering pinnacles, wrecks, coral gardens and cleaning stations. It is one of the most visited atolls and the currents can be strong. There are however dive sites suitable for new divers.
Other top Maldives dive locations for manta rays include Addu, Haa Alif, and Haa Dhaalu.
Discover liveaboard diving holiday solutions around the world at Liveaboard.com. 
Whether you are a beginner or a professional diver – with the three new main regulators from DYNAMICNORD, everyone will find their favourite regulator. They all look super stylish.
Excellent performance with the TR-80
Quality and performance are the be-all and end-all for regulators. It is not for nothing that the TR stands for Tec Reg. The innovative design of the TR-80 guarantees absolute reliability – even in ice-cold waters.
Perfect breathing effort at 0.8 J/l / certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / structural design made of solid brass for best cold protection / membrane-compensated design with dry seal of the first stage / reduced exhalation effort thanks to optimized exhalation membrane and bubble deflector / adjustable Venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort / innovative design of the front cover prevents free-flow in strong currents or when diving with scooters / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 LP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Amazing underwater adventures with the IR-50
The IR-50 is the top regulator for advanced and experienced divers. Natural breathing is the essence of this regulator.
Ideal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /certified for diving in waters below 10 degrees / compensated membrane / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) and adjustment knob for individual inhalation comfort/ outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 2 HP and 4 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
The Workhorse – our CS-30
For diving centres and diving beginners – the workhorse stands for strong construction, reliability and robustness. Perfect for your training.
Optimal breathing effort at 0.8 J/l /recommended for diving in waters above 10 degrees / non-compensated piston / adjustable venturi (dive/predive) / outlet valve and deflector for minimum exhalation effort and reduction of bubbles on the face / design made of sandblasted brass, matt chrome finish / 1 HP and 3 NP outlets / mouthpiece made of high-quality, anti-allergic silicone for maximum comfort.
Octopus OP-30
The OP-30 is the ideal addition to all DYNAMICNORD regulators. It is identical in construction to the CS-30.
The TR-80, IR-50, CS-30 (DIN & INT) regulators and the Octopus OP-30 are available from DYNAMICNORD dealers and in the online store.
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
-
News2 months agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
News3 months agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Gear News3 months agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News3 months agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News3 months agoTry BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months agoBook Review: Coral Triangle Cameos
-
Blogs2 months agoDive the Egyptian Red Sea this Autumn with Regaldive
-
News3 months ago2024 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition Announced