15th March 2008
The Maldives have continued to offer an exciting winter break. Chances of seeing Manta are usually pretty good, as the famous cleaning stations offer close up encounters, but its been the unexpected schooling Manta that have got Monsoon guide Chris T really excited in the last week. Guests have been thrilled to get both dive and snorkeling time with groups as large as 20 manta at Fushuvaru Kandu, all playing quite contentedly while Chris and the group could only look on in amazement – and get their cameras poised! Monsoon has the privilege of working in the Northern Atolls, which means some weeks it can be days before they see other boats. True escapism. Underwater, where to look? The stunning coral reef of Dhekanan Faru? Or the grey reef sharks cruising by as divers fly on the currents.

Looking closer to home, the Red Sea is starting to warm up for what is considered by many locals as the best months for divers. While the winter wind has yet to blow her last, both the air and water temps are starting to rise and bring with them the excitement of Spring. The reefs are starting to pack out with juvenile fish. Katie and Skez on Whirlwind got up close and personal with some baby long nosed hawkfish. Eagle eyed as ever, they also spotted some octopi, a rather unusual nudibranch (Glossidoris hikuerensis for the slug lovers amongst us) and the star spot of a Toadfish! The week proved to be turtletastic for everyone as the hawksbills come out in force. Watch this space-over the next few weeks diving in the Red Sea is going to warm up nicely.