Got a good opportunity to Scuba Dive in The Maldives

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G4LTM

G4LTM

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Dukinfield CHESHIRE
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Hi Everyone,

Glad Iv'e found this site, Maybe someone out there can put my mind at rest!!
We are going to the Maldives in February of next year (Donveli Island) for 2 weeks. Waited some 40 years for this you could say a dream come true (Some Dreams - Tell lies, Some Dreams come true and this is about to come true, a little like Alan Tayor's song - "Some Dreams") Well I've always wanted to scuba dive but never really got around to it, one thing and another! Done plenty of snorkelling (50 years or so) The best was whilst we were in Belize in March this year, I was lucky to snorkel on the Barrier Reef, which was absoueltly fantastic and could have stopped there all day.

Anyway without rambling on too much, I hope to do my certification before I go to the Maldives! then I will not have to give up time out there etc. The one fear I suppose I have and always have had is Sharks. What I would like to know from other members is how worried about them should I be Ive heard there are plenty of white and black tips on the reefs in the Maldives,? What experiences have other members had. Ive also heard surface swimmers are more prone to being bothered with them than are divers

Thats it folk for noew look forward to hearing your replies


Regards

G4LTM
 
Welcome to
:sblogo:
No worries here. The places you'll dive have been dove alot. The critters are used to people. Most see you, an off they go. After you see a few and know they aren't out to eat you you'll be moving in if you can for a closer look.
 
The Maldives offer some of the best diving in the world. Do try to get certified well in advance and get some other dives in before you go, so you feel more comfortable and enjoy it more. For you a week in the Red Sea is the obvious thing to do.
 
G4LTM:
Hi Everyone,

Glad I've found this site, Maybe someone out there can put my mind at rest!!
We are going to the Maldives in February of next year (Donveli Island) for 2 weeks. Waited some 40 years for this you could say a dream come true (Some Dreams - Tell lies, Some Dreams come true and this is about to come true, a little like Alan Tayor's song - "Some Dreams") Well I've always wanted to scuba dive but never really got around to it, one thing and another! Done plenty of snorkeling (50 years or so) The best was whilst we were in Belize in March this year, I was lucky to snorkel on the Barrier Reef, which was absolutely fantastic and could have stopped there all day.

Anyway without rambling on too much, I hope to do my certification before I go to the Maldives! then I will not have to give up time out there etc. The one fear I suppose I have and always have had is Sharks. What I would like to know from other members is how worried about them should I be Ive heard there are plenty of white and black tips on the reefs in the Maldives,? What experiences have other members had. Ive also heard surface swimmers are more prone to being bothered with them than are divers

Thats it folk for now look forward to hearing your replies


Regards

G4LTM
Click to expand...

This is an off-the wall question but is G4LTM your UK amateur radio call sign?
If so are you planning to operate from the Maldives (in additon to diving of course;))?
 
WELCOME TO :sblogo:
Definitely get certified before your trip. The more comfortable you are in the water, the better the dives will be for you. When it comes to sharks, and diving with them, you are just another big fish and basically they aren't interested in you. Many times they are skiddish of divers since many tend to make too much noise in the water by finning rapidly and using their hands. When I dive with them, I use a gliding kick and keep my hands clasped in front of me, calm my breathing and just swim with them. It is the most amazing thing to be right beside them. When I plan my dive trips, it is around the number and species of sharks on the reef. For me, the more the better. Since I volunteer for the Shark Research Institute, I take notes of these sharks throughout the dive and I need to get as close as possible. It's good to familiarize yourself with the species of sharks that will be in the waters with you. Their behavior will dictate if you can get close or should stay away. Sharks do not see well and pick up on electrical impulses and tend to swim towards you just to veer off at the last second. That is normal. When they come at you with their mouths gaping, well that is when you drop down and become part of the reef quietly, no finning, no movement. But again, just seeing sharks on a dive can be a rare treat. Especially since finning has decimated so many shark populations, I do hope you get to see them in their environment. It is a great treasure to share that! Enjoy your diving adventures and know I am definitely envious of you!

Happy diving with my shark beauties!
Carolyn:sharks:
 
Hi

Yes it is my UK Call Sign. No I've no plans to operate from the Maldives, I know it possibly could have been a good opportunity for the guys back in the UK etc

Regards

G4LTM (Graeme)
 
G4, you've no idea how I envy you.

The Maldives has been, for whatever reason, an ultimate dream destination for me since I began diving... even earlier... Logistics simply get in the way...

As for the sharks, after the you see the first few, simple breath-taking awe will have you finning as close as you can to them, before they scatter...
 
Hi, Carolyn

Many thanks for your re-assuring advice. I do intend to make the very most of our holiday in the Maldives, I guess mostly in the water. I do beleive we've got a stunning location "Chaaya Island" complete with its own house reef. We've read many good reports from Trip Advisor. What I suppose makes this adventure to the Maldives that little more special, I use to keep a 200 Gallon living reef aquarium, complete with invertabrates and those marine fish that would live in harmony with the invertebrates, managed to keep it running for 6/7 years felt as if I'd got a degree in marine biology at the end of it, I say end, sadly because of two thing 1 being the cost to run 2. Took a great deal of time and meant that we really could'nt go on vacation etc

I'm glad I did it, though with the knowledge I gained, I do believe you cannot fully replicate the sea conditions in a tank/Aquarium.

So when I'm either snorkelling or scuba diving in the Maldives I'll think of and hope to see some of the many wonders I saw in our marine aquarium.

Once again many thanks for the advice.

Best Regards

Graeme(G4LTM) & Yvonne
 
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