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Maldives moves to protect whale sharks
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| Eco News |
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The Maldives has taken the first steps towards establishing a protected area for whale sharks.
The Maldives has taken the first steps towards establishing a protected area for whale sharks. The government-backed initiative is being supported by biologists, diving professionals and representatives of the local community.
For years, the Maldives has been renowned for its whale shark encounters, which, while not as seasonal as those of the Seychelles, occur throughout the atolls during most of the year. Several locations - notably the exposed outer reef of South Ari Atoll - have emerged as whale-shark hotspots and attract boatloads of snorkellers on a daily basis.
Spearheading the move to organise and regulate these encounters is a group of local biologists who have formed the Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP). Since 2006, this group has been investigating the populations and behaviour of whale sharks in the Maldives through photo-identification, prey surveys and by taking part in an international genetic analysis and tagging project.
So far, a database of 100 individual sharks has been compiled and is being used to track the movements of these sharks around the atolls. The group is also investigating stories of other whale shark hotspots across the archipelago: it is thought that the sharks journey around the Maldives in order to find seasonal eddies that concentrate their favourite food - zooplankton - into relatively small areas. The long-term plan is to establish protected areas in which snorkelling and boat activity will be controlled, and the sharks will have a refuge from open-ocean fisheries.
A meeting was held at the end of 2008 to consider ways of protecting the sharks and ensuring that all boats conform to a code of conduct.
Book your trip to dive with Whale Sharks
– visit us online for comprehensive information and offers
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Love is all around at luxury Maldives resort |
| Resort News |
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With Valentine’s Day around the corner Sun Hotels & Resorts invites sweethearts to lose themselves in Maldivian romance at the luxurious Iru Fushi Beach & Spa Resort.
To get passion off to a flying start, lovebirds will enjoy the 45-minute scenic seaplane transfer from Malé to Iru Fushi in the Noonu Atoll, which affords picture perfect views of the turquoise waters below.
On the ground, Iru Fushi can guarantee total privacy with accommodation ranging from Jacuzzi beach villas, each with an enclosed courtyard and a private cabana on the beach, to opulent water suites which boast a vast deck area and a private infinity pool with unparalleled views of the surrounding lagoon. With the added option of destination dining available in the rooms, couples never need leave their luxury love nest!
Visiting Iru Fushi Beach this year ?
See our rates online here
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Fitness Guru Matt Kinnear helps kick-start 2009 at the Spa Retreat |
| Spa News |
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The Maldives only destination spa is helping its guests to kickstart 2009 with its second transformational ‘Path to Balance Wellness Retreat’, hosted by fitness guru Matt Kinnear until 8th February 2009.
As a therapeutic Massage Practitioner, Martial Arts expert and personal trainer, Matt combines his skill set to offer a life changing experience.
Guests can enjoy either a taster session of therapeutic massage, personal training, group Qi Gong, Boxing Classes, or opt for a complete transformational experience. Combine three to seven days of one-on-one training with Matt together with the myriad of treatments, fitness classes, naturopathy and gourmet spa cuisine available at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Spa Retreat.
The three day ’Perfect Balance’ course combines healing massage in conjunction with physical fitness and lifestyle advice.
- 2 x 90 min Therapeutic Massage with Matt
- 1 x personal training with Matt
- Consultation with Naturopath including personally blended herbal medicine
- 1 x 60min or 75min spa treatment of choice at the Spa Retreat
- 1 x Private Heat Therapy at the Spa Retreat
- Unlimited fitness and yoga classes
Click here for our offers for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Spa Retreat
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Heightened fears for lowering lands |
| Eco News |
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The Maldives' idyllic, pristine beaches and tropical reefs attract more than half a million tourists to the small Indian Ocean nation every year.
But an unavoidable catastrophe awaits the Muslim nation and its natural beauty: the threat of global climate change and rising sea levels.
An increase in sea levels of 58cm (22.8in), as projected by the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), could see most of the country's 1,192 islands submerged by next century and leaving many of its 369,000 citizens without a homeland.
But locals say the effects of global warming have begun to show already, with the phenomenon likely to damage significantly the nation's key industries - fisheries and tourism - not far into the future.
Tidal surges
The atolls of the Maldives are protected by networks of coral reefs which act as a defence against natural phenomena including flooding, tidal surges and erosion.
But scientists say that many such reefs are facing extinction from fluctuating water levels and rising temperatures as the Earth warms up because of climate change.
According to Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, head of conservation at the Banyan Tree Resort, a rise of sea temperatures of only 2C will wipe out many coral reefs if it is sustained for a period of two weeks.
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The Decline Of The White Tern |
| Eco News |
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With their snow-white feathers, the white tern stands out dramatically against the clear blue skies of Addu atoll - the Maldives’ most southern ring of coral-fringed islands. But both islanders and environmentalists say their numbers are in rapid decline. Ibrahim Mohamed takes a closer look.
What is the white tern?
The white tern is a small white seabird that lives on tropical islands across the world.
It is known for its unusual egg-laying practices which involve delicately balancing a speckled egg on a small fork or depression on a tree branch.
As a result, their eggs and chicks are vulnerable to predators and heavy winds.
The White Tern can live up to 17 years and on average, grow between 11 and 13 inches in length.
The birds live on all 29 islands of Addu atoll, including six inhabited islands. They inhabit breadfruit trees, mango trees or other large trees.
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| weather forecast |
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January 22nd – February 5th |
| Maldives Weather |
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Are you traveling to the Maldives next week?! Or are you a resident and would like to know how sunny next weekend will be?!
Here you will find an up-to-date Weather Forecast that will help you plan your activities.
Thursday, Jan 22 |
Mostly cloudy with a shower |
High: 30 °C
Low: 27 °C
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Friday, Jan 23 |
Clouds and limited sun |
High: 31 °C
Low: 28 °C
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Saturday, Jan 24 |
Partly sunny and nice |
High: 31 °C
Low: 28 °C
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Sunday, Jan 25 |
Pleasant with clouds and sun |
High: 31 °C
Low: 27 °C
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Monday, Jan 26 |
Pleasant with clouds and sun |
High:29 °C
Low: 26 °C
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Tuesday, Jan 27 |
Spotty showers in the morning |
High: 30 °C
Low: 27 °C
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Wednesday, Jan 28 |
Beautiful with sun and clouds |
High:31 °C
Low: 26 °C
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Thursday, Jan 29 |
Clouds breaking for some sun |
High: 30 °C
Low: 26 °C
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Friday, Jan 30 |
Sun and areas of high clouds |
High: 29 °C
Low: 26 °C
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Saturday, Jan 31 |
Periods of rain |
High: 30 °C
Low: 27 °C
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Sunday, Feb 1 |
Humid and rainy |
High: 31 °C
Low: 27 °C
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Monday, Feb 2 |
Humid with considerable clouds |
High: 31 °C
Low: 28 °C |
Tuesday, Feb 3 |
Partly sunny and humid |
High: 32 °C
Low: 28 °C |
Wednesday, Feb 4 |
Partly sunny |
High: 31 °C
Low: 27 °C |
Thursday, Feb 5 |
Times of clouds and sun |
High: 31 °C
Low: 26°C |
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| best dive sites in maldives |
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| Vadhoo Caves |
| South Male Atoll |
As the name suggests this site gives you the opportunity to explore several caves and caverns. Dipping into each cave is like stepping of a conveyor belt into the relative calm of each cavern before re-emerging to be carried to the next.
The line of caves and ledges runs along the northern wall of the island and is dominated by soft corals in a variety of blue, green and yellow, providing a beautiful backdrop for photography. The caves vary in depth with entrances to them ranging from 7 to 40 metres.
When you work your way into the caves you will be able to take your time and check out the other life forms sheltering here, such as soldierfish, turtles, and unicornfish. The caves also vary in size but obvious cautions, such as maintaining neutral buoyancy at all times and divers moving in order, should prevent any unintentional contact with the walls or ceilings.
From inside the caves, if you look out, you will be able to see the larger visitors to the area, including whitetip sharks and tuna swimming in the blue, often framed in view by the colourful caves entrance. Eagle rays are often seen swimming effortlessly over the reef at this site which is among the most pristine you will find in the Maldives.
Your guide will lead you past the caves area and, gradually rising in the water column, you will find yourself in the shallows from 8 metres or so, which is a beautiful location in which to end the dive, such is the colour and activity in the nooks and crannies of the reef. Currents may sweep through here and separate you from your group towards the last few minutes of the dive so the use of a safety sausage is advisable.
Vadhoo Caves Reef Basics: Caverns and drift dive
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 15 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be choppy
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: All year round
Distance: Just off the north coast of Vadhoo, 6km southwest of Male Town
Access: Liveaboard
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| classifieds |
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| Notify our readers of your business, service or offer. Post Jobs, Real Estate, Events, Classifieds and more – right here! |
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Your Maldives
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your Malé Maldives... click here |
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Cycus
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We are the well known Florist in Maldives - Flowers retailer shop "Cycus" located in Male....
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Luxury Web Design |
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Whether you're thinking of moving your business online, or need a full corporate image made for your company, ......
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ROOM RENT Male |
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Rooms for rent on a monthly or daily basis in Male , Maldives. It is in a decent appartment. , ......
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Add your classifieds online |
News
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Welcome to the free Spotmaldives.com Classifieds. Did you know you can post and view Classifieds online? We aim to help generate local interest and support the local community by providing this free service and getting the community fully interactive.
You can post:
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| spot offers |
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Romantic retreat? – our offers |
March breaks to the Maldives ?
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| Just ask us! |
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Jacuzzi Beach Villa
Full Board
Komandoo Island Resort
7 nights
3,003.00 Euro
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Garden Villa
Full Board
Kurumba Island Resort
7 nights
4,928.00 Euro
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Beach Villa
Bed & Breakfast
Cinnamon Island
10 nights
2,280.83 Euro
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Please note : All label prices are based on 2 adults sharing and do not
include transfers
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| What is Spot Maldives? |
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Spot Maldives is the single largest "Destination-Specific" source of unbiased, user-generated travel content for the Maldives, in the world.
Real travel tips, reviews and photos, posted by real travellers and locals.
Online since 2006, Spot Maldives began as a small community portal with a directory listing and forum. Now the site is the premier resource for travellers seeking an insider's perspective on Hotels, Attractions, Restaurants, Real Estate, Nightlife, Local Customs and more.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create websites, which are fun, simple and so easy to use... that even your Grandma can add her comments, or book her next holiday!
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