Ambassador of Germany to the Maldives, Mr. Jens Ploetner, has paid a courtesy call on President Mohamed Nasheed. The meeting was held this afternoon at the President’s Office.

Meeting between German Ambassador Ploetner and Maldives’ President Nasheed

In the meeting, President Nasheed and Ambassador Ploetner discussed the friendly relationship between the two countries and ways to strengthen the current relationship between the Maldives and Germany. Mr. Ploetner gave additional details on the President’s upcoming official visit to Germany.

The President was joined at the meeting by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy to the President Ibrahim Hussain Zaki and Political Advisor to the President Hassan Afeef.

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Branded as the first international luxury resort despite being the youngest of the lot.

The Shangri-La standard is now set at the the Maldives.

The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort is comprised of a delightful collection of impressive villas that is synonymous to the luxury Shangri-La is known for. Villas include all the amenities you can expect from a luxury hotel, like high speed internet, flat screens, bose sound systems, private sun decks and swimming pools.

Shangri-La Villingilli Resort Facilities

The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort transcends a feeling of tranquility throughout the resort. The Pool villa and the Villa Laau in particular is the most expensive but the most capable and luxurious. For the more adventurous guests there is scuba diving, sailing, sports fishing, kayaking and even a day cruise on which lunch is served on the equator. For those seeking the ultimate unwind and rejuvenation the Shangri-La Villingilli Resort’s Chi Spa offers a plethora of world famous treatments from the four hour long Himalayan Blue Moon Ritual to the oil infused soak tub, healing stone and mud body mask. All of which are guaranteed to rejuvenate the Maldivian traveller.

Shangri-La Villingilli Resort Cuisine

The Shangri-La Villingilli Resort has two main restaurants the Javvu and the Khazaanaga there is also a total of four lounge-bars, all of which serve a great selection of drinks both non alcoholic and alcoholic the flavors and the mix drinks mostly are unique and were only concocted in the Maldives.

For advanced scuba divers who want to experience more of the Maldives.

The Maalos Thila Dive Site

Starts with a depth of more than 25 meters the Maalos Thila dive site is famous for its huge collection of corals. Three large coral heads immediately welcome the diver upon entering the Thila, All three of the coral heads are covered with colorful soft corals.

It is a good idea for divers to look around while venturing further into the Maalos Thila because there is just a great variety of marine life swimming everywhere from Giant sweet lips and White tip reef sharks around the coral heads.

A good place to spot numerous Blue stripped snappers would be around the caves and overhangs they blue colored fish blend in contrast with the blue and yellow soft coral which is an delightful sight. Along the top of the reef divers will be able to sea a large diverse array of hard coral growth.

As usual the Maalos Thila dive site is for advanced divers and a surface balloon is always a must. Especially when the current is running out the atoll.

The newly-launched liveaboard, Theia, is currently cruising the Maldives, having set off  on Wednesday, February 24 with 9 scuba divers.  The orientation dive was held at Maagiri Thila, and a second dive on the first day was held at Boduhithi Thila.

Boduhithi Thila Dive Site Map

Manta Rays Spotted at Rasfari North

After the dive at Boduhithi Thila, Theia cruised on to Rasfari North, where guests were able to snorkel with some manta rays.  This had been a great day’s diving and everyone was excited for more exciting dives throughout the rest of the week.

Rasdhoo Atoll: Day 2 of Theia Cruise

The second day of the Theia dive trip began at Rasdhoo Madivaru in the Rasdhoo Atoll, a dive site known for hammerhead sharks, manta rays, reef sharks and other large species.  The Rasdhoo Madivaru dive started early in the morning, just before 6.00 a.m., which is the best time of the day to see the hammerhead sharks.

Rasdhoo Madivaru Dive Site

Maaya Thila Dive Site

After a successful morning hammerhead dive at Rasdhoo Thila, the guests took another short dive at Bathala Maaga Kan Thila and later two dives at Maaya Thila.  Maaya Thila is one of the most popular dive spots in the Maldives, famed for grey reef sharks, white tip reef sharks and turtles.  The site is also regarded as the best night diving spot in the whole archipelago.  Divers on Theia were lucky enough to do an afternoon and a night dive here at Maaya Thila, making for an unusual four dives in one day!!!  That’s what you can achieve when you wake up early!  Reports of both Maaya Thila dives were excellent, including reef sharks, turtles, stingrays, moray eels (swimming freely in the night dive)

Theia Liveaboard

Theia Liveaboard continues to cruise the Maldives for the next few days.  Check back here for more diving reports and updates.  After she returns from this cruise, the next cruise sets off on March 3.  There are many more cruise dates confirmed for this brand new luxury diving liveaboard.

To book a space on Theia, please contact us today!

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The Maldives President’s Office has reported that 67,478 tourists arrived in the Maldives during January 2010, making it the country’s strongest January in five years.

***Check out Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE for unforgettable liveaboard diving holidays!***

Moosa Zameer, Head of Planning and Statistics for the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, said that January 2o1o was “the best [January] we have ever had.”

Tourists Arrive in the Maldives on Cruise Ships

Sim Mohamed from the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI), added that many of these tourists are “surface arrivals,” such as passengers on a cruise ship who arrive for a day or two.

Sim Mohamed noted that a number of services have begun bringing tourists regularly from India and Sri Lanka.

Under normal circumstances, most tourists coming to the Maldives are at “the high end of the market – those who have the disposable income to go wherever they want to go,” he says.

Airlines and Resorts Have Cut Rates

However, in light of the recent economic crisis, many resorts and airlines have reduced their rates significantly, he explained, with some resorts cutting their rates up to 30-50 percent. More airlines opening their routes to the Maldives also means more competitive air fares. Get more information about flights to the Maldives here, like flights from Germany to the Maldives!

Because resorts are operating at lower rates, “there isn’t a significant rise in financial activity in Malé or even in other islands,” Sim said, but “it’s still a win for the government since they get bed rent.”

Zameer believes that the rise in tourist arrivals is not only accredited to cheaper rates at resorts, but to all the “work in promotions carried out after the [economic] crisis at the end of 2008.” He believes both the private sector and the ministry have put a lot of work into promoting the Maldives as a tourist destination, even for those who are more budget conscious.

Shift in the Tourism Market in the Maldives

Traditionally, the key markets for tourism in Maldives have been the UK, Italy, Germany, France, Russia, China and Switzerland, according to MATI. But this trend has already seen a change this year.

Zameer says there has been a “shift in the market,” as European seasonal tourist numbers are dropping and the Chinese and Indian markets are emerging. Kuwaitis have also helped the market “enormously,” he says.

Zameer believes people are starting to realise this is the right time to travel, and they can “go to the destination they have been waiting to go to.”

Sim agrees “there has been a big rise in tourists coming from India. There is also a very sharp rise in Chinese arrivals after Chinese New Year, and there will be another one towards Easter, mostly Italians.”

He added that MATI is “feeling good vibes” from the market, especially from Germany and the UK.

***Check out Maldives Dive Travel’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE for unforgettable liveaboard diving holidays!***

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Most scuba divers that visit the Maldives are anxious to observe large pelagic species, such as manta rays, whale sharks, napoleon wrasse and reef sharks. However, the vast array of smaller Maldivian fish provide an unending amount of eye candy for underwater explorers.

Seamoth, or Pegasidae

The seamoth, or Pegasidae, is a small Indo-Pacific family that includes 2 genera and 5 species, of which one has been spotted in the Maldives.

The seamoth is an easily overlooked (yet funky-looking) species. Seamoths are often missed by divers since their exterior is camouflaged by the sandy ocean floor. Adults tend to bury themselves in the sand during the day, making it even more difficult to apperciate this odd-looking underwater species.

Seamoths can be easily spotted during the spawing period, when the female is pregnant and males, after having changed their colors, are courting their female counterparts (which generally occurs at dusk).

Slender Seamoth, or Pegasis volitans

The Slender Seamoth, or Pegasis volitans, can be found in the Maldives, due in large part to its long pelagic stage.

Additional Information About The Seamoth

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 – 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 19 – 22. Color in life variable; body usually light to dark brown, with dorsal and lateral area darker than ventral surface. Pectoral fins hyaline, distal margin white and spotted. Pelvic fin spine and 1st ray forming an elongate, tentacular structure. 3 pairs of dorsolateral body plates; 4 pairs of ventrolateral body plates; tail rings 8 (rarely 9), mobile. A pair of deep pits posterior to orbit. Suborbital shelf concave, eye visible in ventral view. Ventral ridges of rostrum greatly expanded than dorsal ridges, each with laterally directed denticles. Anal papilla absent.

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Mark your calendars – March 11 – 22! But, BOOK NOW! Limited Availability.

This once-in-a-lifetime, 11-night safari begins with a 50-minute flight from Male to Kaadhdhedhoo in the Huvadhoo Atoll (also called Suvadiva Atoll), the world’s largest atoll.  This is a particularly untouched part of the Maldives with only a handful of exclusive resorts operating here and very few dive boats exploring the area, meaning that there are numerous dive sites just waiting to be explored.  Guests on this safari will have the opportunity to dive at many undiscovered dive sites and visit an array of pristine islands – some inhabited and others completely secluded.

Galileo Southern Atoll Explorer Tour

Depending on weather conditions, the safari will travel around several of the southernmost atolls of the Maldives, ending at Huvadhoo airport in Kaadhdhedhoo, from where a flight will return to Male.  This is the perfect scuba safari for divers looking to explore the unknown treasures of the Indian Ocean.

Galileo Mar 11-22 Southern Atoll Explorer Tour
Take advantage of this amazing opportunity at the unbeatable price of
only EUR 1,386 per person for 11 nights

Galileo Liveaboard

Galileo is one of the most well-equipped safari ships in the Maldives, perfect for a true expedition-style adventure.

Learn more about the Galileo, including its amenities, facilities, service, food & photos, here: Galileo Liveaboard!

What’s Included in the Galileo Scuba Diving Cruise?

- Accommodation in air-conditioned cabins with window, en-suite shower (hot water) and WC. Daily cleaning. Towels provided.
- Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Tea and coffee are available free of charge at all times plus one bottle of water per person per day.
- 27 dives
- Tanks with DIN/INT 12 lts, lead belts, extra diving boat
- Guidance by a PADI-qualified and highly experienced English-speaking dive instructor
- Use of fishing gear – local style, including hook, fishing line, weight and baits.
- Island-hopping, snorkelling service
- Picnic on an uninhabited island (depending on weather and route).
- On the last day a trip to the capital city Male will be offered
- Pick-up & drop-off at Male’ International Airport to connect with international flights on first and last day of the cruise, before noon.

Price does not include:

- International or Domestic air fares ( Male-Kaadhdhedhoo is 217 return flight)
- Airport taxes
- Dive/snorkel equipment rental
- Beverages, except those mentioned above
- Bed Tax: 8 per person per night is charged on board
- Dive and travel insurance
- Transfer supplements for arrivals/departures on days other than scheduled boat arrival/departure
- Fuel surcharge: in the event that crude oil reaches USD $100 per barrel on the international market, a EUR 6 fee will be charged per person per night
- Nitrox is available for EUR 5 per filling
- Additional dives will be charged at EUR 34 each

***All prices are subject to change without notice***

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Dive sites in the Maldives are renowned all over the world. Make sure you experience the Banana Reef dive site, It is a must for all scuba divers.

The Banana Reef Dive

The Banana Reef Dive Site has so much history because it is the first dive site to be ever discovered in the Maldives and is also one of the best until now. The site is shaped like a banana hence the name Banana Reef Dive Site, its geographical appearance makes it a excellent dive site. The Banana Reef Dive Site sports a number of caves at its northern area with gutters and colorful soft coral overhangs swarming with marine life.

Diving Tips

Most people who have been to the Banana Reef recommend that divers should spend a lot of time on the coral heads to fully appreciate the marine life and soft coral.  Begin the dive on your left side so much so that you will get a great view of the area when the reef comes alive with its treasures. The Banana Reef is home to a lot of fish including Oriental Sweetlips, Giant Squirrelfish, Bannerfish and many more of those schooling colorful species which make the Banana Reef a color splash experience for divers. During certain seasons and the currents are strong divers are advised to keep close to the walls and avoid being pushed back by the current.

Type of Dive Site: Wall / Thila (Pinnacle)
Location: North Male Atoll.
Best Time to Dive: All year sound
GPS Position: 04.15000, 73.32000
Depth Range: 5m – 30m
Coral Growth: Excellent
Features: Caves, overhangs and coral heads
Fish Life: Abundant
Experience Level: Novice

Welcome to the Maldives where all your tropical island paradise dreams of tranquillity and escape will be a reality.

Choose the Royal Island Resort and Spa.

The Royal Island Resort and Spa is located amonst the beautiful island atolls of the Maldives. Located at the Indian Ocean, The Maldives is a amazing formation of small islands that because of its unique geographical history is able to provide the best tropical island experiences known to man. Secluded from the world and governed by the best of in the hotel and resort industry along with its locals. The Maldives is sure to deliver aquatic heaven for those seekers of paradise. The Royal Island Resort is considered to be one of the best islands in the Maldives. Surrounded by a crystal clear lagoon, The Royal Island Resort and Spa is a five star hotel will make sure that its guests experience true bliss in paradise.

Royal Island Resort Accommodation and Cuisine

The Royal Island Resort offers a total of 152 guests rooms on the island. All of which the guests only need to think about where they want to stay, A beach villa or a Presidential suite. On the other hand the cuisine at the Royal Island Resort and Spa will provide a feast even for the most discerning gourmand. The famous Maakana Restaurant will provide an amazing dining experience with a breathtaking view of the turquoise ocean lining.

Royal Island Resort and Spa Activities

The Royal Island Resort and Spa claims to have a complete array of various water sports and indoor activities. Scuba diving, wake boarding, water-skiing. But for those who don’t like that water, aerobics, tennis, quash, badminton and billiards are available.

Getaway and forget all your urban stresses at a beautiful Maldives Island like the Dhoni Island Resort.

Dhoni Island Resort

The name Dhoni came from the boats that were beautifully decorated found around the island. The Dhoni Island Resort is known for its creative designs that are a refreshing break from traditional luxurious lay outs of top hotels. The Dhoni Island resort is located at the Ari atoll about 90km west of the capital of the Maldives. Guests can expect a great scene of amazing tropical vegetation and spectacular white beaches.

Dhoni Island Resort Facilities

Accommodation consists of five live aboard boats around the Dhoni Island Resort. All of which are hand crafted using local palm wood with wood masters that transcends a hundred years of boat making experience. Each of the Dhoni or boats is 65 feet long and they are powered with green engines because of course the Maldives is one of the biggest supporters of the Kyoto protocol. All Dhonis have sun decks and a dining area that allows a magnificent view of the outside. The hotel at the Dhoni Island Resort however are exquisite and deliver a high level of comfort and tropical island paradise feel.

Dhoni Island Resort Cuisine and Activities

The cuisine at the Dhoni Island Resort whether in the live aboards or the hotel guests can expect an amazing dining experience with a lot of choices and specialties to choose from. Maldivian cuisine or the cuisine from back home, chefs and restaurants will always deliver amazing gastronomic treats. Of course at a tropical island, guests can help themselves with the freshest and best seafood! The Dhoni Island Resort is famous for its scuba diving activities. The Dhoni Island has a world class scuba diving school for guests.