Diving in Salalah

Salalah is a city of wonders. With many attractions, dining spots, and shopping hubs, Salalah has already won the hearts of many travellers. But what about water adventures? Does Salalah have good diving spots?

The closest diving spot to Salalah

If you have thought of holidaying at Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara or any other similar place, Mirbat is just 70km away from where you are. With many Oman attractions including China Wreck, Rocky Beach, and Eagle Bay, it’s indeed a paradise for those who love underwater explorations.

Photo by form PxHere

What to pack for the tour

The relevant equipment will be offered by the licensed diving instructor you choose. But make sure you take a hat, sun protection cream, towels, and sunshades with you for the tour.

Diving experience

The total diving experience may go on for around 5 hours. It’s a beautiful experience to meet the underwater creatures and plants during your exploration under the guidance of the instructor.

When to enjoy this experience?

Diving sessions do not function when it’s the high tide. So, make sure you schedule your tour somewhere from January to April or October to December. Happy Diving!

Captivating Things to Do in Maldives

If you want a holiday to enjoy relaxation and exhilaration in equal measure, then the Maldives will be perfect! These are some things to do here that will be truly memorable.

Water Sports

Snorkelling can be tried by the whole family and those at resorts in places like the South Male Atoll can also enjoy this activity amidst whale sharks, nurse sharks or manta rays! Diving is popular as is surfing, while properties like Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort also offer wakeboarding, jet-skiing, kayaking, flyboarding and parasailing.

Image Credit: Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort

Island Getaways

During your stay in the Maldives, beach villa accommodation is ideal for spending time by the shore; however, for something special, some resorts offer access to private islands for just you and that special someone. You can enjoy snorkelling, sunbathing, savouring BBQ lunches and sipping sundowners amidst sublime serenity.

Dolphin Spotting

In the Indian Ocean waters that surround the islands, you will also find dolphins swimming wild and free. You can embark on journeys out to sea on a luxury yacht and encounter these adorable marine mammals including spinner dolphins that can be seen playing and sometimes acrobatically leaping out of the water!

Sunset Cruises

As the day draws to a close, the sun descends to the horizon and offers a most magnificent sight. One of the best things to do in Maldives is to set off on a sunset cruise during this time to catch this magical spectacle unfold. It’s a perfect activity to enjoy with your life partner while sharing canapés and a champagne toast.

Snorkeling in The Maldives

The Maldives is one of the best destinations in the whole world if perfect snorkelling is what you are longing for! While you snorkel, it’s not just the coral reefs that you get to explore, but many more aquatic animals such as manta rays!

snorkelling
Photo by form PxHere

Best time for your snorkelling experience

If the visibility of the water is great, that’s what you need for an awesome snorkelling session. From January to April, you can expect sunny weather conditions and no / less rain means clearer waters.

Why the Maldives is the best for snorkelling?

Most of the Maldives luxury resorts the likes of Residence Maldives Falhumaafushi are located in secluded locations. These places offer the best snorkelling areas where the visibility of the water is very precise.

Tips for a great snorkelling session

Be mindful to rent snorkelling equipment only from certified agents. Since you are always provided with a guide/instructor, follow his instructions all the time. Don’t panic when you are in the water.

The average costs

This depends on the number of people you have with you and the number of days you require. Roughly the cost is around $8 per day and this does not include the applicable taxes.

Must-try Water Sports in the Maldives

The beautiful atolls of the Maldives offer so much more than it meets the eye. Apart from the fascinating village excursions and the diverse cuisine it offers, the array of activities in Maldives – particularly water sports hold a massive attraction for its visitors.

Jet Skiing

Jet skiing is the ultimate treat for those who love speed – and nature! Set yourself free with this adrenaline-fuelled activity when you choose to stay at properties such as The Nautilus Maldives.

Snorkelling

Slip beneath the azure waters around the Maldives islands for an experience of a lifetime; explore the colourful reefs and the vibrant lives that thrive around them.

Banana Boat Rides

Here’s a fun activity to be experienced with your friends or family – get on an inflatable banana-shaped boat and get towed at high-speed into the shallow sea.

Parasailing

Parasailing
Parasailing| Img via Pixabay

Attach yourself to a colourful parasail wing and be gently lifted into the sky (with the help of a speedboat, of course!) With this activity, you can experience the thrill of flying like a bird while revelling in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

 

 

Swim with underwater giants in Africa

Many travellers love Africa for its rich wildlife. They often talk about the lion, elephant, leopard rhino, and the Cape buffalo living here, but not about the spectacular marine life available.

Mozambique – an underrated underwater paradise

Did you know that Mozambique is home to over 1500 miles of amazing coastline? Diving opportunities offered by this coastline is not known, which shouldn’t be the case. The world should really discover this treasure!

The underwater life

This is indeed the place to go to meet the underwater giants. Be its whale sharks, whales, or the mantas, divers meet every one of them in their natural habitats during diving sessions.

Image Credit: Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

Diving. Is it the only way?

No- Mozambique underwater explorations are also open for the non-divers out there. Snorkelling with the experts offers them the chance to meet the cheerful dolphins, and of course the whale sharks.

Bazaruto – the archipelago worth visiting

You may also head to Bazaruto during your holiday and enjoy the luxury offered by Bazaruto Island Resort managed by Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas. An exotic experience awaits you here while letting you enjoy many other places to visit in Mozambique.

Maldives Excursions Never to Miss

While the Maldives is known for its water sports, equally enjoyable and captivating are the many excursions on offer; here are a few which you should experience on a holiday.

Sunset Cruises

For those staying at private island resorts, one of the best activities to do in Maldives is to take a cruise on a traditional dhoni (local boat). Sunset cruises are the most popular be it with that special someone as you enjoy a champagne toast or with family or friends to take in and photograph this spectacular sight.

Deserted Island Visits

The country has countless deserted islands and resorts like Adaaran Prestige Water Villas offer excursions to some of them. It’s perfect for couples in search of sublime solitude where they can share a gourmet picnic. Trips for groups are also available and one can sunbathe and snorkel to your heart’s content and enjoy a BBQ lunch too.

Fishing Trips

Another of the exciting things to do in Maldives is to embark on fishing trips. Such excursions in the mornings are ideal to catch big game fish such as dogtooth tuna, marlin and sailfish. Some resorts even offer sunset or night fishing utilising traditional techniques, while your catch can be prepared for dinner the following day.

Dolphin Safaris

The surrounding ocean is home to various dolphin species such as spinner dolphins which can be seen on special excursions. Such dolphin safaris will be a treat for young and old alike and though sightings are not guaranteed, there’s a good chance to witness these marine mammals swimming or frolicking in the water.

Explore Water Sports at Pasikudah and Kalkudah

Pasikudah and Kalkudah beaches in Sri Lanka are not just for those who wish to sit back and relax! They are also ideal for those who love going on adventures and collecting colourful memories.

Diving

Open your eyes to something very exciting! Explore the underwater world and enjoy how the marine life exists in their natural habitats in the Indian Ocean.

Jet skiing

Jet skiing is for those who love the thrill of speeding! You may try this experience with an instructor in front if you don’t feel confident enough to ride it on your own.

Windsurfing

Let the waves and the winds offer you an amazing experience. Learn to balance your body on a surfboard and master an exciting adventure.

Banana Boat Rides

During your family getaway spent at resorts like Amethyst Resort Passikudah, here’s something that you can try out with all your family members. It will be a delightful bouncy ride on a banana-shaped boat, and even the kids will enjoy it.

Kayaking

Any of the 3-star hotels in Sri Lanka located here would recommend you a kayak ride if you inquire about a good relaxing water sport. Gliding through the water alone or with your loved one peacefully is surely a refreshing experience.

 

 

 

The Therapeutic Klong Thom Hot Springs in Krabi

While Krabi is known for its idyllic beaches, it also has nature reserves and jungles to explore; it’s in such a place you will find the rejuvenating Klong Thom Hot Springs.

Planning a Visit

This site is close to the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve and is around 70 km from the main town. Those staying at properties such as Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort will find it’s only a little over an hour away. The hot springs are open from 07:00am to 06:00pm and don’t forget to bring your towel!

Scenic Setting

One of the great things about the Klong Thom Hot Springs is the idyllic setting; those visiting from a hotel Ao Nang, Krabi has to offer will find this site set amidst a tropical rainforest which forms a shaded canopy above. The cascading waters form small baths or pools in which to enjoy a therapeutic soak!

Healing Properties

The thermal springs from which these waters flow originate from underground volcanic chambers; the waters are around 35 to 42 degrees Celsius, while they are also rich in natural mineral salts that some believe have healing properties which can help those with ailments like rheumatism.

Maksym Kozlenko2016-04-08 Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) 02CC BY-SA 4.0

More to Do & Explore

Once done, you can head downstream to where these waters flow into a stream and have a refreshing dip. Within easy reach of this site is the Thung Teao Forest Natural Park which is worth exploring too; here, you will find the Emerald Pool and Blue Lagoon, two other mesmerising natural attractions in Krabi.

A perfect day in Glenelg

Looking for a fun place to travel with family? Glenelg is certainly the place to be! You can make some of the greatest memories in this beach city. Here’s what Glenelg has in store for you when on vacation.

Glenelg Beach

Clear shallow waters of the ocean and light-coloured sand…Glenelg has a sort of Mediterranean feel to it. The beaches are pristine and your family is going to love it! You can spend a whole day just at the beach and head back to your accommodation in Glenelg after the sunset.

Glenelg Foreshore Playspace

This is a place where the kids can have some safe fun. There are several water rides for thrills, hammocks for relaxing and a climbing dome too. It’s fun for the whole family!

Mosely Square

Moseley Square Image by Orderinchaos via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Not far from hotels like Oaks Glenelg Plaza Pier Suites is a place called Mosely Square. Here you’ll find all sorts of markets, restaurants and cafes. So take your family for some food sampling out here.

The Beachouse

This is certainly one of the best places for some family fun. Entrance is totally free, and you’ll have to pay $2 for a card which can be topped up according to the rides the kids take.

Discover the Best of Hikkaduwa

Vacationing in Hikkaduwa is something wonderful you can try out during your tour to Sri Lanka. It’s a small coastal town located 116km south of Colombo.

Hikkaduwa beach SriLanka
DaemonX, Hikkaduwa beach LK, CC BY-SA 4.0

Swimming at Hikkaduwa Beach
Needless to say, Hikkaduwa beach is one of the safest for swimming. You may also indulge in snorkelling if you prefer, and spot huge turtles in the evening.

River safaris
For river safaris in Hikkaduwa, you have the Madhu River very close to Balapitiya. Exploring this lake system will expose you to many birds, reptiles, and also a rich network of mangroves. If you are a nature photographer, you are sure to click some of the best shots during this boat ride.

Enjoy all sorts of seafood
Any Hikkaduwa resort the likes of Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon is specialized in seafood, and that’s a fact! You are sure to find the best seafood in the world here prepared using the Sri Lankan authentic cooking styles and flavours.

Explore an ancient temple
Hikkaduwa is home to the ancient Buddhist temple Sri Pushparama Viharaya. Visit this temple during your stay to know some details about Buddhist philosophy. The monks residing here are very friendly and they’ll teach you the facts without expecting anything in return.