Im not a very good swimmer. Scratch that. Im dismal. I only learned properly a few years ago. I can get to point A to point B just as long as its a short distance with absolutely no stopping on the way. Treading water wasnt included in the lessons which means Im terrified of deep water and thats anything I cant stand in.
This means a trip to the Maldives presented me with a dilemma. Its one of the most beautiful places in the world with stunning marine life that you can see from the shallowest of depths. Just whack on a mask and fins to go snorkelling. Easy. You dont need to know how to swim really, its all about floating.
But for someone uneasy in water, its hard to relax. A never-ending barrage of questions keep on bubbling up. Is that water leaking into my mask? Did I just brush past a jellyfish? How long can I hold out before I need to clear my tube? Lets say it somewhat dampens the experience.
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So, an underwater excursion on a submarine was a godsend. No anxiety, I get to stay dry and see lots of glorious fish in a dazzling array of colours. Winner.
Not only that but its a relatively cheap outing – a rarity in the islands, which count as one of the most expensive places to go on holiday. Plus its something you can squeeze in on your day of arrival or departure on your way to or from your resort as its a five minute ferry trip or taxi ride from Velana International Airport in Malé to get to the meeting spot.
First a boat takes you to the submarine in the middle of the ocean. Wedged between two floating platforms, its a dinky white and yellow vessel that can seat up to 50 people. Nothing like the hunk of metal I had in my mind from war films. Thats because its never seen any navy action but instead its a recommissioned tourist sub originally used by the French in Martinique, explains the captain Aishath Amira.
To get in you need to clamber down some steps into the main vessel. With its purple seats and navy blue interior its like being in a lurid club but with neon coloured fish not beats punctuating your consciousness.
We submerge quickly until were 40 metres deep. One side of the boat faces a reef called Tear Drop while the other side has less action although we swap mid-way so everyone gets a chance to see their own Finding Nemo in action. Its nothing short of jaw-dropping.
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Amira describes the most spectacular marine life that she spotted on a trip. We saw a whale shark. It was 30 foot long. Normally they dont come inside the atoll but he or she may have got lost on their way eating planktons.
But she has a personal favourite: Ive seen dolphins a couple of times. We were lucky to see a school of them. Sometimes theyre attracted to the vibrations or noise made by the submarine so they come with us in the water and they spin around and around and then go away.
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A man calls out the names of the fish as they appear. Surgeon fish, grey with a shimmer of neon blue and yellow fins, start nibbling at the food they throw down to attract the marine life and circle the submarine. Unlike snorkeling where youre just floating on by, you get a chance to really study them up close so you can notice the tiniest details.
In the middle of the chaos of the feeding frenzy, a stubborn little unicorn box fish coloured with dark spots and cute in its angular ugly looks – the Sly Stallone of the fish world – pops up with a determined pout trying to get in on the action. Blue tail trigger fish, a shock of deep navy with wide fins, glide on by serenely.
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There are tiny little orange fish twitching around and hiding in holes when theyre away from the giant pack but my favourite is the moray eel and the even rarer honeycomb moray eel, which is yellow with a distinctive pattern on its skin. They emerge like sea monsters, shy and cautious from their underwater crooks, their mouths gaping open and shut continuously.
The explosion of sea life glide, float and circle around each other; a gorgeous, vibrant cacophony of colours, stripes and patterns.
Sure, snorkelling and diving may be the most adventurous option but if you cant or wont swim or want a family outing, this is a great compromise.
There are so many, a little girl keeps on screaming in delight. Its not just her though. The submarine has turned us all into big kids, wide-eyed with wonder at the magic of the ocean.
Tickets for Whale Submarine tours start from £57.
Where to stay
Watching a chicken peck at the delicate grains of sand as the sky behind it explodes in a riot of warm orange at sunset is one thing I didnt expect to see in the Maldives. But here I am at Robinson Club Noonu, a relatively new resort that was once the site of a chicken farm.
Many resorts in the Maldives can feel a bit intimidating; theres so many couples floating around that you feel like youre encroaching on their love bubble. But not at Robinson Club Noonu. This is a 5 star resort complete with all the luxuries youd expect but with a far more down-to-earth approach. Thats because of its family friendly policy which means it has the wholesome air of a European retreat.
Not that it scrimps on the exclusivity youd expect from the Maldives. From the moment you step onto the jetty, youre completely pampered. It has pristine beaches with the softest white sand and milky azure blue sea that glistens with colourful sea life. Make no mistake, this is your fantasy island come alive.
The whole resort takes just 20 leisurely minutes to walk around. Its tiny but outrageously pretty. Dark pink, purple and orange floRead More – Source
