Dive Maldives: A Guide to the Maldives Archipelago - Softcover

Godfrey, Tim J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1876410000 ISBN 13: 9781876410001

Publisher: Atoll Editions, 1998

Synopsis

Dive Maldives is a detailed guide to diving in all the tourist atolls of the Maldives Archipelago. It contains 114 computer-generated maps with descriptions of over 270 dive sites based on the author's personal research over 12 years The maps are divided into three types: atoll, region and site maps. The atoll maps show the resorts in blue type with traditional island names in brackets. Also shown are uninhabited islands, reefs, Protected Marine Areas, heliports, channel names, and some of the well-known dive site locations. The region maps show the same features but in more detail with all the dive site locations described in this book. The dive site maps are useful references for divers and show the topography and scale of the reef. Through the use of symbols for features such as caves, overhangs, saddles and canyons, as well as commonly seen fish and marine life, divers get a pre-dive glimpse of what they can expect to see during the dive. Scattered throughout the book are 191 photographs with informative captions. All fish mentioned are listed in a separate index at the back and are grouped by class and family, with both their common and scientific name reported for easy identification. For those divers who have never been to this remote nation of 1190 islands, there is a useful section with practical information for travelers and divers, and an up-to-date index of resorts and live aboard vessels. Besides the diving related material, Dive Maldives covers other important aspects of this wonderful archipelago, including island history, Indian Ocean maritime history and shipwrecks, coral reef ecosystem and environmental problems. Although non-divers would find it extremely pleasant and interesting to read, this is indeed a book dedicated to divers, particularly those seeking a deeper knowledge and understanding of this top- class dive destination. Recommended to all those who want to know more than a simple dive guide can tell... And it comes in three versions too: English, German and Italian.

About this title

About the Author

Tim Godfrey is an Australian whose interest in diving began while he was working as a journalist on the "Pibara Times" in the North West of Australia in 1983. At the time he was also Publicity Officer for the North West Scuba Club which gave him the opportunity to transform his diving experiences into a literary exercise.

In 1986 he moved to the Maldives and spent the next 10 years working as a diving instructor during which time he researched and mapped the major dive sites in all the tourist regions. Whenever he had spare time, he was unravelling some of the intriguing geography and history of the islands. His books "Dive Maldives, A Guide to the Maldives Archipelago," "Malways, Maldives Island Directory," and "Maldives Divers and Travellers Map" are the first products of his prolonged research. Tim has contributed maps and text on the Maldives to Insight Guides, Lonely Planet, and various local and overseas magazines. His maps and information are used as a standard reference by Maldivian Airtaxi pilots, the television station and the Ministry of Tourism website.

Tim comes from Apollo Bay in Victoria, Australia and frequently returns home to where his business, Atoll Editions, is now based. He plans to keep up with developments in the Maldives and to further his research into the diving and history there.

From the Back Cover

This book gives divers an insight into the geography of the atolls, islands, reefs and dive sites of the Maldives with 114 detailed maps. It gives brief descriptions of the sites and some helpful hints on diving them. An extensive coverage of the marine life at each site is illustrated with photographs and useful fish notes. For the first time, each of the 15 newly declared protected marine Areas, have been mapped and their features recorded. For divers interested in the history of the Maldives, special emphasis has been placed on early trading patterns, shipwrecks and island history. This book is a useful reference for discerning divers and travellers with a need to know more about the Maldives Archipelago.

Excerpt. İ Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Fish Head *** (Mushimasmingili Thila) PROTECTED MARINE AREA Location: 3 km south of Mushimasgali

Depth: 10m - 30m+ Fish life: abundant Coral growth: very good Features: sharks, reef fish, underwater scenery Fish Head fits the classic definition of a thila, being a large isolated flat-top reef rising sharply from the inner atoll floor at 40 to 50 meters to around 10 meters from the surface. The presence of a large school of gray reef sharks, combined with the favorable underwater scenery and the wide variety of marine life, have given this reef the reputation as being among the ten best dive sites in the world. History: Ari Atoll fishermen have traditionally fished for sharks at Fish Head and divers were first drawn here by the regular appearance of fishing dhoanis at this site. Sharks were taken mainly for their oil but with shark fins commanding high prices on the Asian market, sharks are in big demand. Ari Atoll fishermen have been reluctant to give up one of their most productive fishing grounds for the sake of diving tourists. With this backdrop of conflicting interests, the government stepped in 1995 to declare Fish Head a Protected Marine Area to ensure that it continues to cater for the expectations of divers. Diving: The square-shaped reef is about 80 meters wide and can be circled in one dive if divers wish, providing the current is not too strong. There are ledges and caves at different depths around much of the reef and for the most part, there is a big undercut from about 25 to 30 meters before the reef tapers to the bottom slopes. The north and north west sides have a particularly interesting landscape at reasonably shallow depths, making it ideal for the less experienced diver, while at depth, are caves with all the usual features including seafans and black coral bushes. Divers tend to stay more shallow at Fish Head, hovering around the reef edge at about 15 meters as this gives the best all round view of a family of about 20 resident gray reef sharks. Sharks: The sharks are usually seen on the up-current side of the reef. The advantage that Fish Head has over other shark watching sites is that the habits of the sharks can be observed at close range from a secure position on any part of the reef. On occasions, sharks can even be seen at cleaner stations where they expose their glistening teeth to the fastidious cleaner wrasse. Photographers will get few better opportunities to photograph these graceful predators than at Fish Head. Marine life: The abundant fish life begins at the surface, where the water boils with the silver flashing of fusilier. Below, divers are greeted by a family of napoleon, one of them more than 150 cm long. There are many pelagics here including giant trevally and schooling barracuda, which circle like a pack of wolves anticipating a kill. The reef has contrasting features and one favorable impression in deeper water is the straight wall on the northern side where a field of large seafans sprout from the reef edge. Diving hints: At times there may be several boats tied to the thila and many divers. Take note of which boat is yours and return with enough air to make a safety stop on the way up. Take care not to kick or break coral.

Edition details

• Publisher: Atoll Editions
• Publication date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1876410000
• ISBN 13: 9781876410001
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 152