Excerpts from : Hello Maldives 16th Edition Sept 2002

FAVOURITE PASTIMES

DIVING

The 80-odd resort islands surrounded by clear turquoise waters introduces you to a fascinating world of coral gardens. To have a tete-a-tete with such underwater treasures, diving is indeed the recommendations pastime. The corals offer some of the most spectacular vistas of underwater life-turtles, seaweed, shells, crustaceans and schools-and-schools of brilliantly-coloured fish.

Apart from a few, most of the resorts are equipped with diving schools headed by a fully-qualified diving instructor . The waist-deep waters of a lagoon offers a perfect start for beginners. Some of the schools also offer training up to the level of a professional diver. Wind-surfing and water-skiing facilities are also available.

FISHING

Fishing is another major sport in the Maldives. With water constituting over 99% of the total area, it comes as no surprise that the country flaunts some of the best fishing grounds in the world.

Night fishing is a popular tourist sport with the catch- be it groupers, snappers, squirrel fish, skipjacks or barracuda-making a perfect evening barnecue on the beach.

Fishing also begins at draw with dhoanis seeking tuna, dolphin fish, rainbow runners and barracuda.

The seas outside the atoll enclosure reef are meant for big game fishing . Maldives traditionally use dhoanis for big game such as sharks, rays, swordfish, Wahoo, sailfish, yellow-fin tuna, marlin and barracuda. An engaging sport, many of the resort islands also have speedboats for hire equipped for western style game fishing.

However since the Maldives follows a strict conversation policy, the use of harpoons and hunting of marine mammals such as whales, porpoises and dolphins and huge fish like the whale shark are prohibited.

CRUISING

Cruising along the aquamarine waters from atolls to atoll is an unforgettable holiday experience. Boats with bunk-beds or private cabins can accommodate anywhere between eight to twenty passenger for such island-hopping trips, normally lasting ten to fifteen days. The central atolls of North and South Male' Vaavu and Alifu are usually the most frequented since services are readily available for diving spots Maldives has to offer.

Aboard the Yacht, the crew is highly professional. The resident cook dishes out for you excellent seafood recipes. Dining under a clear studded night sky in the Maldives is indeed an experience in itself . An excursion to a fishing village or an uninhabited island should make your holiday cruise more worthwhile. Some resorts also have glass-bottomed boats and catamarans for hire.

Parasailing on multi-coloured parachutes over the warm waters of the Indian Ocean is an incredible experience . water sausages and water scooters also make interesting rides.

Besides these, equipments for beach volleyball, football, lawn tennis and indoor games such as badminton, table tennis, billiards and chess are usually available free of charge in many of the resort islands.

PHOTOGRAPHY

With tropical beauty abounding in the region , photography is another rewarding pastime. If the thrills of aerial photography is your cup of tea, seaplanes can be hired for taking you on breathtaking photo flights. Normal restrictions with regards to photographing military and building and installations exist.