Diving in and around Baa Atoll
The island of Kihaa is only a couple minutes from Hanifaru Bay but this is by no means the only diving in Baa Atoll.
Diving Around The Baa Atoll
The Baa Atoll was designated as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 2011, due to its incredible diversity of coral and fish life. The location of Kihaa Maldives, where Ocean Dimensions is based, is right on the door step of 2 protected areas – Hanifaru Bay and the Angafaru region. Indeed, Kihaa is the closest resort in the Atoll to these incredible areas of the Atoll.
Diving in the Atoll offers the chances for incredible encounters with mega-fauna such as whalesharks and manta rays (during the correct season) and with a plethora of other creatures including reef sharks and turtles and countless other Indian Ocean inhabitants.
Hanifaru Bay
Protected since 2009, Hanifaru Bay has become renowned as one of the world’s most incredible areas for experiencing manta rays and whalesharks in their own natural environment. Each year, numerous individuals visit Hanifaru in one of nature’s spectacles.
During the South West Monsoon season, Hanifaru accumulates microscopic plankton that is brought to the area by the wind and currents. Manta rays and whalesharks, two of the ocean’s largest inhabitants feed on plankton, spending large amounts of time at the surface, making them ideal subjects to experience while snorkelling.
The Maldives is one of the top destinations in the world for experiencing manta rays and has a resident population, that spend quite a few months each year in the Baa Atoll, Hanifaru Bay and the waters around the Atoll.
Indeed, courting rituals have also been observed in the Bay.
Angafaru Region
Also protected since 2009, the dive sites in this area are renowned for their biodiversity. With the currents of the South West Monsoon, Angafaru Region is also a great place to see the mega-fauna aggregating here – ie manta rays and whalesharks.
Snorkelling
The shallow reefs of the Maldives are perfect for snorkellers. The warm waters are home to thousands of species of marine life and the vibrant colours will make snorkellers feel like they are swimming in an aquarium.
Kihaa is in the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and in particular Hanifaru Bay has been designated an UNESCO Marine Protected Area and only licensed boats can enter and as far as we know in Hanifaru Bay you are only allowed to snorkel with the manta and whale sharks, with boat numbers limited. Hopefully both the diving and snorkelling will be good.
First dive Kuda Gaa
which was only 5 minutes by boat and is a great rock sitting at 27m and starting at 16m. Nice dive to get back into it, video skills were a bit shaky but hopefully that will improve as dives progress
Second dive – Aidhoo Caves
just a 10 minute boat trip from Kihaa. On first dive video lights were dull so guides torch “blew out the colour” in some parts. Removed diffusers for this dive and much better as way more light but struggled with “back scatter”. I’m thinking one light as permanent spotter and the other as back up with diffuser……
Third dive – Dhonfan Wall
a few nice Nudibranch but a snowflake moray was the highlight
Fourth dive – House Reef at dusk
This was a dive during and after the hotel fed the sharks and rays. I don’t really think these days that its really necessary but I did hear a very positive spin on its from a divemaster that I could relate to.
lots of sharks, rays, morays and a very cool octopus.
Fifth dive – Dhofan Thila
This is a large Thila dropping to 30m with a nice swim through crevice.
Numerous reef sharks, eagle rays, napoleon wrasse, turtle and a nice puffer fish too end
Sixth dive -Kihaadhufaru Rocks
Only 5 minutes from Kihaa and probably best dive so far.
White tip sharks, reef sharks, nurse sharks, many different morays, mantis shrimps, shrimp cleaning station, turtles and the coral was the best that Ive seen in years.
Seventh dive – Hanifaru Rocks and Hanifaru Thila
Again, a dive by myself with the guide, but we also had the pleasure of two of the other guides, so I felt quite safe with three guides……….
As it was just myself, I was asked what I would like. The only thing I hadn’t really seen was a free swimming stingray. Abdullah sorted that out within about 10 minutes of the dive.
We were then “pestered” by Ramoras for the rest of the dive, but that certainly didn’t spoil the enjoyment.
Big decision which dive to do for the last one.
Eigth and final dive – Kihaadhuffaru Rocks
Big decision which dive to do for the last one so this was my choice and it’s only 5 minutes from Kihaa and loved the last time . It didn’t disappoint with sharks, octopus and turtle.