Hi, here is the report for the trip held from SEP.1-7, with the classic South route. The condition of the weather and the ocean was perfect. I can’t believe we are in the rainy season. The 1st dive was at Sunlight Thila in the North Male Atoll. We could even see Manta Rays from the surface because of the great visibility as we jumped into the water. The Manta Rays were relaxed swimming by. And that made us relax as well. The great thing was that it was exclusively offered to us since there were no other dive liveaboard around. Total 4 Manta Rays we encountered with this check dive. Such a great start! The 2nd dive was at Rasdhoo Madivaru in the Rasdhoo Atoll. We looked big fish in the first half because of the strong current. Losing no time we found three Spotted Eagle Rays, then about a dozen of Grey Reef Sharks were circling around. Plus Shark-size of fat Dogtooth Tunas appeared. We enjoyed Tiera Batfish and colorful Anthias gave us a peaceful scene at the shore sand area on the second half of the diving.
The day 2 started with an early dive at Rasdhoo Madivaru, same spot again as last dive of the day before. Four of the big fat Dogtooth Tunas appeared in the blue water. The 2nd dive of the day was at Hafsa Thila in the North Ari Atoll. The ocean was still very calm as we could see the reef from the boat. We got healed by several kinds of Fusiliers, Tiera Batfish, Big Nose Unicornfish and sleepy-head-Whitetip. The 3rd dive was at Fesdhoo Wreck, the place offered us the wreck and sand dive. We can’t get into the wreck here, but there are colorful soft corals and sea fan to see. At the sand area, many Whitespotted Garden Eels, Dracula Shrimp Gobbies, Aurora Partner Gobbies were the idols for us. The 4th dive was at Fesdhoo Goni for a night Manta dive. At first, the Nurse Sharks gathered to the plankton gathered by the boat light. Finally we got to see a Manta Ray! Night Manta looked more gorgeous than day Manta.
The air temperature was 26-33 deg.C. The water temperature was 28-29 deg.C. To be continued..
