Water | The Adventure Travel Site

Discovering Hanifaru Bay in Maldives

Image Credit-Shiyam ElkCloner, Dharavandhoo Thila – Manata Black Pearl, CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the most precious marine habitats in the Maldives, Hanifaru Bay has a rich marine biodiversity and offers plenty of amazing sights to be discovered. Those lucky enough to dive here will also see a wide range of marine life that swim wild and free in its waters.

Where can it be found

Image Credit-Frédéric Ducarme, Baa atoll islands, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hanifaru Bay can be found in what is known as the Baa Atoll in Maldives. While this site is part of a Biosphere Reserve it is also a Marine Protected Area. Those in search of a hotel near Hanifaru Bay from which to head to this site can consider options such as Dhigali Maldives.

The highlight at Hanifaru
The main draw at Hanifaru Bay is undoubtedly the chance to see manta rays. In fact, this site is known as one of the largest manta ray feeding destinations in the world. Little surprise that underwater photographers love coming here!

Best time for mantas

Image Credit-TANAKA Juuyoh (%u7530%u4E2D%u5341%u6D0B), Manta alfredi maldives, CC BY 2.0

When it comes to seeing mantas feeding on plankton at Hanifaru Bay, the best time to visit is the period from May to November. Literally, hundreds of mantas can be seen during this time and make for an unforgettable underwater spectacle.

Other marine inhabitants

Image Credit-Shiyam ElkCloner, Dharavandhoo Thila – Hanifaru Bay Sharks, CC BY-SA 3.0

Apart from manta rays, this underwater area is home to other species too including sting rays and whale sharks which add to the allure of Hanifaru Bay. Diving here is bound to be an experience you won’t soon forget.

Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+

River Safari in Galle Sri Lanka

Boat safari on Bentota River | Img. Crdt : Jetwing Hotels

Apart from the beach bound excitement, visitors of the west coast of Sri Lanka may engage in boat safaris in the many rivers flowing into the Indian Ocean. This is usually a laid back boat ride ideal for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Where to find river safaris
The Bentota river is popular for these outings and is only about one hour away from Galle; a key tourist city along the west coast of the island. Thus visitors seeking accommodation in Galle boutique hotels or other luxury accommodation such as Jetwing Kurulubedda may drive down for a relaxed nature infused experience.

Prices
The Bentota River is used by most hotels and resorts in the area for jet skiing and other water sports. Boats are stacked in the riverbank can be hired by those wishing to explore the river and its mangroves. A one hour excurision will cost you about Rs1500.

What to expect
The southern side of the river is infested with dense mangrove plantations. This is a lush green canopy screening the warm sun rays. You may catch a glimpse of kingfishers, vibrant butterflies lurking about and even huge water monitors chilling under the sun if you are lucky.

Keep in mind
Tourist boats are usually supposed to have life jackets. Do not get on a boat without life jackets and make sure to fasten your jackets before leaving the bank.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

5 scuba diving tips

Scuba diving is one of the best ocean bound activities to engage in when you’re in Sri Lanka. Here are 5 things to keep in mind for a smooth diving experience.

Scuba Diving | Photo via Pixabay by joakant , CC0 Public Domain

Getting down
If you’re finding it a bit hard to stay under water with your diving equipment, fix your gaze towards the ocean bed, and slowly breathe out while imagining that your body is getting heavier. If you feel “floaty”, you are doing it right.

Always recheck your pressure gauge reading
This is often explained by diving schools or activity providers especially in the Passikuda, Unawatuna or Mirissa beach hotels such as the Esprit d’ici Hotel Mirissa. Anyway, if you miss it all you have to do is take three breaths off your regulator with your gear on while looking at your gauge. If the needle does not point away from the full position, then the air is on and if it bounces back up, the air is not on.

Trust your instincts
When in the water you are on your own. Therefore, if you feel uncomfortable diving deeper, don’t do it. Simply stick to your comfort zone and relax your mind.

Slow down
Diving into the pristine ocean can be exciting, however don’t rush or you’ll scare the fish away, so slow down and enjoy the view.

Keep a log
Keep a record of all your diving experiences to plan your next trip diligently. This is also a perfect way to re-visit your underwater adventures when you are old and grey.

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

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Watersport activities in Maldives -Exciting must-try water sports

Maldives is a heavenly beach paradise where there is less land and more sea and there’s something for everyone between the turquoise waters and the golden sun.

Parasailing in Maldives

Parasailing | Image Courtesy : By Badr Naseem (Parasailing) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

This unique water sport combines speed with the adrenaline pumping aspect of lifting you off the ground. Participants are strapped securely to a harness with one end fastened to a speed boat. The vessel pulls you on an awe-inspiring journey that provides breathtaking aerial views of the coastal landscapes below.

Kayaking, Windsurfing and More

In a country where water exceeds land, you can expect a range of water-sports. Consider staying in a Maldives resort such as the COMO Hotels & Resorts that offer facilities for enjoying the sea and sunny weather.

Surfing Paradise

Most locals spend endless hours surfing; it’s a way of life here. Surf buffs will benefit from the massive waves brought on by the southwest monsoon around the months of June to September

Diving in Maldives

Blessed with stunning marine and coral life, the Maldives is one of the best places for diving. As you explore the world beneath the waves, you will come across vivid corals of all shapes and sizes as well as fish species including angelfish, sweet lips, butterfly fish, barracudas and even sharks.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Whale Watching in Mirissa -Have a Whale of a Time!

At up to 29.9 metres in length, the Blue Whale is said to be the largest animal to have ever existed in the world. Seeing these magnificent creatures is a must at least once in a lifetime. So head over to Mirissa in Sri Lanka, and feast your eyes on this glorious beast!

Where?

mirissa beach aerial view — Mirissa beach aerial | Photo by dronepicr , Flickr , (CC BY 2.0)

The coastal hamlet of Mirissa is tucked away in the south of Sri Lanka, in the Matara District. It’s close to three hours away from the Bandaranaike International Airport so you will have to come prepared to stay in Mirissa. Accommodation won’t be a problem as there are plenty of options ranging from budget hotels and hostels like those by Yoho Bed to even luxury resorts should you want to splurge a bit.

How?

Mirissa Whale Watching | Photo by kwan kwan , Flickr , (CC BY 2.0)

There are quite a number of whale watching tours available in Mirissa but do your research first, read up on reviews and find out what is best, because it’s very important that you go with a trusted service provider in order to avoid any scams or worst, accidents. The most trusted option would be to go with the Sri Lanka Navy, they offer tours that cost US$ 60 for foreigners (US$ 30 for kids). A typical tour would last for up to 4 hours.

What to Take?

Sunscreen! Make sure to apply it way before you set out. And take care to also take a hat and some sunnies. Since you’re gonna be stuck on the boat for four hours at sea, best to pack a few snacks too. Some tour agencies offer this as part of the package but it’s always best to take some food of your own. And most importantly, if you’re prone to be sick at sea be sure to take medication for it.

And Finally, What You’re Going to See!

Blue Whales

It’s said that the waters around Mirissa are rich in plankton, a kind of micro-organisms which the whales feed on. Because of this, marine biologists believe that there is a resident population of blue whales resulting in constant sightings, especially during the peak season between November to April.

Sperm Whales

and…Dolphins!

Mirissa,_whale_watching,_dolphins — Arian Zwegers, Mirissa, whale watching, dolphins (6782232766), CC BY 2.0

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Surfing in Ahangama

The tropical island of Sri Lanka; complete with soft sands and sunny beaches are the perfect setting for your island vacation. Ahangama is located about 20 minutes from this quiet town of Unawatuna, a popular tourist destination on the island, so if you’re staying at a hotel such as Cantaloupe Levels, you can easily get to Ahangama! With a number of options for a hotel in Unawatuna, you’ll be able to find one to suit your specific budget and style.

Most parts of Ahangama beach is known to be ideal for experienced or intermediate surfers as the waves are quite large and regular, but there are some parts of the beach which are perfect for beginners. With many surf schools and surfing camps around, you can get your beginners lessons before heading out to ride some amazing waves in Sri Lanka!

If you don’t have your board, there are plenty of surf rental spots around the golden shores where you can rent a good sturdy surf board to cruise the glittering waters of the Indian Ocean. When you’re done surfing, make sure to hydrate and fill your belly up with some island delights. King coconut is known to refresh and replenish instantly and is the best thing to indulge in after an exhausting day of paddling out to the big blue and riding the warm waves. With many restaurants in the area, you can also grab a quick bite to eat or make your way back to your hotel for some rest and relaxation.

The beaches in southern Sri Lanka are best known for being popular with surfers and snorkelers. Therefore if you’re looking for a relaxing activity after a day surfing, rent a pair of snorkels and explore the colourful variety of marine creatures swimming around the lively reefs in the south.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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Windsurfing in Maldives -It’s just you, the board, the sail, and the wind

Goldi64 at the German language Wikipedia, Wales Windsurfer, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Maldivian isles are by far one of the finest of holiday destinations to retire to either with family or your best mates. A range of leisure activities ranging from surfing, wakeboarding to even deep sea fishing can be enjoyed throughout one’s time here.

Blessed with warm, temperate waters and constant gusts of winds from all the right directions one could hardly conceive of a more appropriate environment to engage in windsurfing than the Maldives. The period between May and October is considered windsurfing season in the country as wind conditions pick up after the rains. With windsurfing, you catch the wind as you sail and glide across the lagoon. You have boards and sails on offer in Maldives, but you need to know your basics. Once you land in Maldives you will find a plethora of water sports centers that offer various services. Even the hotels will have very good facilities that will enable you to enjoy a memorable and safe time in the lapis lazuli waters. Check with the Maldives luxury resort you are staying in; some of these resorts such as the COMO Maalifushi, The Maldives have experts to will train you to master windsurfing. Windsurfing professioanls have different strategies and tips to stay balanced while in the activity. One-legged sailing is one strategy, which will shape up your fitness.

More experience thrill seekers engaged in windsurfing in Maldives may want to consider visiting this island between the months of October and May while beginners will find almost any time of the year ideal for this sport. May to October is considered the monsoon season so you can expect to find consistently strong winds that will propel you at great speeds.

Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+

Snorkelling Trip to Khai Island

Angelique800326, Snorkel-xel-ha, CC BY-SA 3.0

Khai Islands are located about 10 km from Phuket. Comprising of three small islands; Khai Nok, Khai Nai and Khai Nui, each island is blessed with an abundant number of marine life. The sands at Khai Islands are picture perfect – almost as if popped out of a postcard, with white soft sands and clear blue water that allures you from the moment you set your feet down. The waters around each island are safe and ideal for swimming and snorkelling and the white sandy beaches are best for relaxing and basking under the warm glow of the sun.

If you’re staying at a Phuket resort, you must take a traditional long tail boat ride to the Khai Island for a snorkelling adventure. Some accommodation providers such as COMO Hotels & Resorts, offer day time excursions for those who wish to explore the beauty of marine life living within the warm tropical ocean waters. A boat ride from Phuket should take on average 45 minutes to Khai Islands. A planned tour will first take you to Khai Nui which is surrounded by the colourful reefs that are teeming with fish like eels, clownfish, giant clams and many more. After you spend a couple of hours exploring and snorkelling here, you’ll be transported to the second island known as Khai Nok. This island is the best place to buy some fresh seafood, which will then later be grilled on a BBQ, as you unwind and relax with a chilled beer or a refreshing cocktail by the side of the beach. You can also rent jet skis and go for a spin on the azure waters around the islands. Khai Nai is the largest island of the three, while Khai Nui is comparatively the smallest.

Tourists who spend the day snorkelling here are advised not to feed the fish and leave as little a mark as possible so as not to damage the natural environment and its eco system.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Top snorkeling spots around Tioman

Snorkeling is one of the all-time favorites of water sports lovers and underwater explorers with a flair for enjoying marine life under the blue water surface of the sea. As you float through the sea passing beautiful coral reefs and watching schools of colorful reef fish, you will enter into a whole new world full of serenity and wonder. Mesmerized by the beauty of it, you almost forget that you are a creature of land.

There are many tour destinations that offer snorkeling practice, one such amazing place being the Tioman Island in Malaysia. The lower expense is one of the better factors about snorkeling in Tioman, while also having the opportunity of enjoying a comfortable stay at a best beach hotel. Pulau Tioman is home to several idyllic resorts that offer a complete tour package for relaxing, snorkeling or scuba diving and also sight-seeing, one such being the Berjaya Tioman Resort on the western shoreline.

Around the Tioman Island, there are many ideal spots to practice your snorkeling skills. If the best of them are listed down it will include Coral Island and Malang Rocks, Renggis Island, Marine Park and Salang Beach. Out of these, the Coral Island and Malang Rocks and the Renggis Island are more famous for their coral reefs and associated marine life while the other two places are better known for a spectacular view of many varieties of shallow water fish like clown fish.Another plus point for Tioman Islands when you are looking for a snorkeling spot is that there is no need to wear heavy and complicated snorkeling equipment. The natural surroundings of the Tioman Islands with some water currents create a suitable environment for snorkeling, even for beginners. It is widely accepted that your snorkeling experience will be at its best when you travel in small groups, sharing the joy and exchanging your moments.

snorkeling by Robert De Bock via StockSnap.io

Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world. Google+

Best Places to Surf in Sri Lanka

Discover the best surf destinations located on the south and east Coast of Sri Lanka.