Day 4, the 1st dive of the day was at Kihaa Rock in the Baa atoll. At first we got to check up on Tawny Nurse Sharks asleep in the overhang. I found that there were three kind of snappers mixed in a school. They were Bluestriped Snappers, Bengal Snappers and Five-lined Snappers. The Octopus we found at the top of the reef was hidden but it was obviously too big not to be found. The 2nd dive was at Nelivaru Haa. The entire reef of this site is the Mantas’ cleaning station. Unfortunately no Manta showed up. We enjoyed observing such endemic species, like Smith’s Fangblenny and Imposter Blenny. The 3rd dive was at Muthaafushi Thila. Bluefin Trevallies attacking the big school of Luminous Cardinalfish. The same juvenile of Whitetip Shark seemed that it has been stuck in between the rocks for about 2 months.
Day 5, we had the first 2 dives at Rasdhoo Madivaru in the Rasdhoo atoll, which was the site newly designated as a Marine Protected area by the government. Grey Reef Sharks, Bigeye Trevallies appeared again and again! And we found a school of Dolphins at the sand area! Wow! Besides, the hundreds of Tiera Batfish surrounded us while our safety stop! We could even enjoy snorkeling with the Dolphins after the 1st dive. The 3rd dive was at Maaya Thila in the North Ari atoll. The visibility went down but some big fat Grey Reef Sharks swam around us very closely many times. We also ovserved macro such as Maldive Triplefins and Color Blennies. The 4th dive was at Maayafushi Lagoon aiming for the Night Manta. Immediately after we put the light on, a big, 4-5 meter size of Alfred Manta Ray, came to our light. There came one more Manta joined in a while we waited. The couple of Manta Rays stayed with us until we exited. Thanks!! The air temperature was 26-31 deg.C. The water temperature was 28-29 deg.C. The visibility was 10-40 meters. To be continued…
