Dive Maldives: A Guide to the Maldives Archipelago (Springfield Atoll Editions)

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.

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.