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| Get ridiculously close encounters with feeding manta rays on a night dive at Fesdhoo lagoon |
Alimatha was incredible.. was a fiesta of nurse sharks, marble rays and giant stingrays with occasional fly-bys by black tip sharks, but similar to other great interaction sites, it involved feeding. The second site was a night dive in Fesdhoo Lagoon where we were fortunate enough to encounter two playful mantas which stayed with us for 45 minutes. Below are few photos from the two awesome dives
Mantas..Fesdhoo Lagoon
(Read: Dolphins Bais, Tanon Strait)
The lowdown.. Advanced divers will love the strong current action and big fish (whale sharks, white tips, black tips, gray reef sharks, battery of barracudas... challenging photographically due to strong currents) but for happy snappers, Night dives at Alimatha and Fesdhoo Lagoon are great opportunities for surreal close encounters with sharks and rays
Getting There
Port of entry- Male, capital of Maldives
Main hubs ASEAN are Singapore and Malaysia
Cost via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Airlines USD600 (low) to USD1,000 (high)
Philippines to Malaysia average ticket price USD200+/-
**for divers, Malaysian Airlines comes out much cheaper than all other airlines as 30 kilos of baggage are 'fare inclusive'
Live on Board costs
from USD1,000- USD3,000+++, depending on boat class, itinerary
Accommodation Hotels in Male
(in case of flight differences with boat schedule)
Budget Guesthouses/Lodges USD45-60, always have an 8% gov't tax on top
google Luckyhiyaa Hotel & Skai Lodge
Average Up USD100..Traders Hotel etcLocal
Food in Male
Food in Male
Hole in the Wall joints
Rf50-80 / USD2-5 per meal, local restaurants, mainly Indian and the usual Burger and Pasta joints
Ferry Boats from Airport to Male Capital
Rf10, 10-15 minutes
Exchange Rate as of Aug 2014
USD1= Rf15.20+/-