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2. scuba diving

DIVE &
SNORKEL
GUIDE
www.baros.com
CONTENT OVERVIEW
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
1
2
3
Introduction
Snorkelling Map
Snorkelling at Baros Maldives
The Marine Centre
Snorkel locations around Baros
What’s my level of snorkelling experience?
Safety rules for snorkelling in the Maldives
4
Diving at Baros Maldives
Divers Baros Maldives
Dive Courses
5
Top 10 Dive Spots
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7
Dive FAQ
Did you know that?
1
INTRODUCTION
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
Maruhabaa from the Divers Baros Maldives and the Marine Centre teams.
At Baros Maldives we have two centres devoted to the sea: our Dive Centre and our Marine Centre.
At the Dive Centre you can learn scuba diving, go eco diving, and engage in all scuba diving activities. At
the separate Marine Centre, you can rent snorkelling gear, join guided snorkelling excursions, obtain
information and take part in awareness programmes conducted by our resident Marine Biologist.
Both centres provide much more than is usually found at resort dive stations. Not only do we have
certified Dive Masters and Instructors to train and guide our guests, we also have a professional Marine
Biologist who supervises our Reef Regeneration Project and encourages awareness and knowledge of
the precious underwater world.
The Maldives is a country consisting of 99% sea. With the shore being at your doorstep and the sea
being warm throughout the year, there is probably no better place in the world to learn snorkelling and
scuba diving or to bring your skills to perfection. We are blessed with healthy, thriving coral
communities and a vast abundance of other marine organisms that are waiting to be explored.
Visit us at the Marine Centre, pick up your snorkelling gear, and join our marine biologist for guided
snorkelling trips to experience this magical underwater world from a different view point.
And whether you want to learn how to dive, refresh your scuba diving skills, or discover our exclusive
dive spots, we have something for everybody at our Dive Centre. We treat each guest as an individual,
not as a nameless member of a group, and thus make sure you have unforgettable memories of your
holiday on Baros Maldives.
Please visit both Centres to meet our Marine and Diving teams. We promise that you will be amazed
and will thoroughly enjoy the experience whether you dive, snorkel or simply take part in our reef
regeneration programme.
See you soon on Baros Maldives,
The Divers Baros Maldives & Marine Centre teams
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SNORKELLING MAP
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
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SNORKELLING AT BAROS MALDIVES
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
THE MARINE CENTRE
We are unique among resorts in the Maldives in having a special service centre focusing on education in
aspects of marine biology as well as on supervising especially designed marine environmental
programmes.
The Marine Centre is open to all guests, even to those who do not dive or snorkel but who simply
want information about the marine environment and the beautiful house reef that is an essential part of
Baros. Guests can chat with our experts, collect information, peruse our specialist books on marine
biology as well as participate in coral presentations, marine life lecture sessions and receive briefing on
dolphin watching expeditions. The staff at the Marine Centre are also available for private, educational
snorkelling training.
Our resident Marine Biologist supervises a Reef Regeneration Programme that is aimed at enhancing our
reef with cultured corals and encouraging awareness and knowledge about our precious surroundings.
Our guests are welcome to join and gain hands-on experience by taking part in this coral research
programme.
We invite you to visit the Marine Centre and meet our team, browse through literature, identify fish
species and discuss what intrigues you with our experts about the latest advances in marine science. Join
our weekly educational lectures in the Maldivian Lounge to get detailed information about the structure
and ecology, as well as the beauty and diversity, of the Maldivian islands.
Experience this magical underwater world from a newly informed point of view.
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SNORKELLING AT BAROS MALDIVES
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
SNORKEL LOCATIONS AROUND BAROS
The Baros Marine Centre team regularly visits nearby reefs during our Snorkelling Safaris by boat. Being
situated inside the North Male’ Atoll, we are fortunate in having several reefs to choose from and aim to
explore two of them during each trip.
On Black Coral Reef, ca. 5 min south of Baros, the protected Black corals (Cerianthipatharia) can be seen
in snorkelling depth, growing along steep walls. The living Frondy black corals at our snorkelling spot
have fine branches with white skin and small polyps. They grow tree-like with branches forming large
bushy colonies. The inner skeleton is black and comprised of an extremely tough, horny, tremendously
pliable proteinous material. Worldwide, many black coral forests have been decimated due to their
ancient tradition as ‘precious’ coral which is still sold throughout the world on semi-precious jewellery
markets, but in the Maldives, the collecting of Black corals is now prohibited. Regularly, turtles,
barracudas, lots of schooling fish and the occasional Sting Ray or Nurse Shark are seen along the steep
walls and in overhangs of Black Coral Reef.
Alibaba Reef, ca. 5 min north-east of Baros, has a similar steep drop off like the Black Coral Reef on its
northern side and is excellent for wall snorkelling. Its speciality is the large group of stationery schooling
Bannerfish and Surgeonfish, but Barracudas like to visit this reef occasionally as well. Overall a very busy
reef due to its fish life, great for underwater photography.
Another snorkelling hot spot around Baros is the northern side of our own house reef. During the
south-west monsoon, we jump at the corner furthest away from the island and drift with the current
along the northern side of the reef. First, you will find yourself in an Underwater Table Coral Garden. The
Maldivians acknowledge two “trees” of life – one is the coconut palm tree, which grows on the island
and provides food and shelter for the islanders – the other one is the Acropora table coral (an animal!)
which, when broken in pieces and overgrown with calcifying algae, served as bricks to build local houses
until recently. However, no corals are harvested from our house reef, so we drift along the reef with
Blacktip and Whitetip Reef Sharks until we find ourselves in The Playground. There, the reef literally splits
in two, giving space for a sandy bay in between. You can spend a fair amount of time in this bay, being
surrounded by a great diversity of fish, including many colonies of sea anemones with the famous
Disney© character Nemo guarding them.
For our guests who join several Snorkelling Safaris, we have even more reefs to explore, like the nearby
Frog Reef or Shuga’s Reef.
Snorkelling Safaris can be arranged privately as well, so you may choose a spot even further away from
the island – like Manta Point – and we will guide you there for your unforgettable Maldivian snorkelling
experience.
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SNORKELLING AT BAROS MALDIVES
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
WHAT’S MY LEVEL OF SNORKELLING EXPERIENCE?
The abundance of marine life is a source of attraction for not only diving enthusiasts, but also for those
passionate about snorkelling. Before you hit the water, you should estimate your snorkelling skills
because you will be responsible for your own safety in the water:
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Swimming beginner: If you don’t know how to swim, it will be too early to start snorkelling,
but the Maldives is the perfect place to practise your swimming skills! Make sure that you are
never alone in the water and practise swimming in the shallow lagoon under the supervision
of a strong swimmer. Under no circumstances float up to the reef edge if you don’t know
how to swim.
Snorkelling beginner: If you are a swimmer, it’s time to put on your goggles and fins and
practise snorkelling in the shallow lagoon. Make sure that you are accompanied by a strong
swimmer or take snorkelling lessons from our Marine Centre staff who could help you at all
times. Snorkelling up to the reef edge requires basic snorkelling skills such as to be able to
float on the surface without standing on the sea floor.
Intermediate snorkeller: You know how to comfortably snorkel in the shallow lagoon and
are ready to swim up to the reef edge: Please seek advice from the Marine Centre on the
safest snorkelling locations in Baros and join our Marine Biologist on a guided educational
snorkelling trip through the Baros house-reef.
Advanced snorkeller: You comfortably explore our house-reef together with your buddy
and are able to float on the sea surface at all times? Great! You are ready for new
experiences. Join our Night Snorkelling adventure or our guided Snorkelling Safari to other
reefs by boat. You may even want to take home a memory of an unforgettable experience
achieved by planting your own coral fragments, thus contributing to the growth of our
artificial coral reefs!
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SNORKELLING AT BAROS MALDIVES
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
SAFETY RULES FOR SNORKELLING IN THE MALDIVES
Maldives is ranked amongst the best snorkelling and diving destinations in the world for both beginners
and experts alike. To ensure safety during your snorkelling, please read the following guidelines and do
not hesitate to contact the Dive or Marine Centre for advice:
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Do not overestimate your skills
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Always determine in advance where to enter and where to leave the water
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Check the tides and watch the current
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Always inform friends about your snorkel route and never snorkel alone
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Protect yourself against sunburn and drink enough water to avoid dehydration
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Consider the use of safety equipment such as a life jacket
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Watch out for motorboats
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Do not forget to check your position from time to time
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Be ready to leave the water before sunset.
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DIVING AT BAROS MALDIVES
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
As a diver you are weightless and can move in all directions.
You approach the freedom of a bird as you move in three dimensions in a fluid environment.
Dennis Graver, Scuba Diving
DIVERS BAROS MALDIVES
The Divers Baros Maldives is “a PADI 5 Star Gold Palm Diving Centre” operated by its European
owner, a veteran diver, and supported by an international team. The Dive Centre is one of the first to
be opened in the Maldives. High safety standards, diving in small groups and quality diving is the Dive
Centre’s credo.
Our experienced international team focuses on high service and on guiding divers in small groups for
complete personal attention. Highest safety standards and quality diving is our paramount, ensuring safe
and enjoyable diving as a memorable experience.
Working with the Baros Maldives resident Marine Biologist at the Dive Centre we are dedicated to
conserving coral reefs by establishing and implementing environmentally friendly guidelines to protect
the marine environment for future generations.
Divers Baros Maldives is certified as the first Eco Dive Centre in the Maldives practising the international
Reef Check Programme. This Reef Check Programme combines education with action to give divers a
unique experience while taking an active role in conserving the world’s reefs.
AS AN ECO DIVE CENTRE WE
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Provide dive experiences that enhance divers’ awareness, appreciation and understanding of the local
aquatic environment.
Enjoy nature and don’t chase or touch animals.
Encourage everyone not to remove anything that is part of the natural environment.
Support a policy of not touching, standing on or collecting coral.
Pay attention to buoyancy control skills and seeing that guests are weighted properly to prevent
breaking or damaging corals by dangling equipment.
Increase divers’ awareness about the environment by teaching sustainable dive practice knowledge.
Respect local people, culture and traditions and abide by local laws and regulations.
Refrain from anchoring boats or using drift diving techniques whenever possible to avoid damaging the
underwater habitat.
Participate in reef conservation initiatives such as the internationally recognised Reef Check
Programme.
Offer Project Aware speciality courses that teach divers and guests about ecology and conservation.
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DIVING AT BAROS MALDIVES
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
THE BAROS MALDIVES HOUSE REEF
The Baros House Reef encircles the island and is known as one of the best house reefs in the Maldives.
The 300m long reef lies just a few metres from the beach and can be reached easily. The house reef is a
nursery ground for Black Tip Sharks, which can be seen there in their natural habitat every day. Rays,
even Manta Rays, Nurse Sharks, Groupers and an abundance of tropical marine life add to the vibrancy
of the amazing underwater scenery. Turtles often frequent the shallower depths. Diving buddy pairs can
benefit from whole day access to the house reef.
DIVING BOAT
Our modern 15m luxury diving boat is equipped with the latest navigation system, oxygen, radio and
first aid. After the dive refreshments are served.
Twice a day a selection of over 30 dive locations are on offer and all are reachable within 50 minutes.
Among them are:
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Exclusive dive sites only for Divers Baros Maldives
Marine protected dive sites
All North Male’ classic dive sites
All year around good chance to see Mantas
Night dives
Nitrox diving
ORIENTATION DIVE & REFRESHER DIVE
Divers who have not been diving in the last three months are required to do an Orientation Dive at the
house reef. An orientation dive is not a test, but a dive to get the opportunity to regain and refresh
one’s diving skills. A refresher dive is recommended for divers who have not dived for over a year. Its
primary purpose is to help certified divers not only to regain their confidence but also to update their
diving knowledge and skills, especially after a period of diving inactivity.
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DIVING AT BAROS MALDIVES
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
EQUIPMENT
Service is of utmost importance to us. Before your dive your equipment will be carried to the house
reef or diving boat and after your dive will be thoughtfully taken care off.
The Diving Centre is well equipped with the latest in Mares diving equipment and supported by a Bauer
K14 compressor + Nitrox and 12 litre aluminium tanks.
For rent:
 3 mm shorty
 Dive computers
 Mares BCD
 Mares regulator, including SPG, octopus
 12 litre aluminium tanks
 Under water torches
 Under water digital cameras
 Underwater scooter Seajet Bladefish 7000
 Snorkel equipment (free of charge)
DIVING BY DESIGN
Diving by Design means you design your own private diving experience with one of our professional
diving instructors. Choose from an à la carte offer of 30 dives sites and step on board our 15m private
boat. All comforts are provided on board, enabling you to relax in a separate lounge or on the sundeck
before and after your personalised diving adventure.
COURSES
DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING
This programme lets you experience the thrill of diving under the supervision of a PADI instructor in
easy conditions. After a short theory lesson you will make your first fun dive at the Baros House Reef.
SCUBA DIVER
When you want to learn diving, but don’t have enough time, the Scuba Diver Course offers the
solution. You will be taught the first part of the Open Water Course and receive the internationally
recognised Scuba Diver Certificate. This allows you to dive anywhere in the world under the direct
supervision of an instructor to a maximum depth of 12m. You can upgrade your education to Open
Water Diver at any time.
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DIVING AT BAROS MALDIVES
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
OPEN WATER DIVER
This course provides you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to safely visit the underwater realm
up to a depth of 18m, without an instructor.
ADVANCED
The Advanced Course is a way to gain more experience in a specific field. The course is a practical and
experience based course and can be completed in three days. The advanced course consists of two
compulsory dives and three dives of your choice.
NITROX
Nitrox is becoming more and more popular with recreational divers who want to increase their safety
whilst diving.
In brief… the nitrogen in the air that we breathe underwater is the gas responsible for limited bottom
times and decompression sickness. We replace some of that nitrogen with oxygen that a body can use
and does not need to get rid of. Nitrox therefore is about increasing safety
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TOP 10 DIVE SPOTS
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
1. RAMEEZ PLACE
Location:
30 minutes west of Baros
Highlights:
In changing seasons, mantas are “flying” gracefully over the reef.
Good chances to see grey reef shark with incoming tides.
Marine life:
Turtles, reef and nurse sharks, eagle and sting rays, tunas and trevallys
Reef:
Thila with overhangs lies in a channel. Mainly stony corals
Diving Depth: Min. 8 m – max. 30 m
Experience:
For all levels of certification if conditions are suitable
This reef lies to the west of Baros and offers lots of surprises. Many of the interesting marine features
have been spotted here. In changing seasons, mantas can be seen “flying” gracefully over the reef. Sting
rays, nurse shark and lobster make themselves at home in the overhangs. Tunas, trevally, eagle rays and
sharks are often visitors to this reef. Good chances to see grey reef shark with incoming tides.
Smaller marine life such as ghost pipe fish, frog fish, and leaf fish catch the eyes of divers.
2. BANANA REEF
Location:
45 minutes east of Baros
Highlights:
Marine Protected Area. A big overhang at the southern end of the thila fully packed
with blue stripped snappers. Large blocks, creating canyons and gullies.
Marine life:
Excellent: green turtles, napoleon, snappers, fusiliers
Reef:
Medium size thila with overhangs
Diving Depth: Min. 4 m – max. 25 m
Experience:
For all levels of certification if conditions are suitable
This reef is one of the first dive sites discovered in the Maldives and is a protected marine area. It is very
popular among photographers due to the amazing marine life and reef shape.
On the north east side are big spectacular rocks, caves, canyons and precipitous overhangs. The scenery
is spectacular around these rocks and canyons, with predatory fish like shark, barracuda, trevally and
black snapper. Also a school up to 1,000 yellow snapper, humback red snappers and oriental sweetlips
light up the reef.
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TOP 10 DIVE SPOTS
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
3. MANTA POINT (LANKANFINOLHU FARU)
Location:
60 minutes east of Baros
Highlights:
This is a feeding and cleaning station for mantas from May till December (southwest
monsoon). Even whale sharks have been spotted here.
Marine life:
Mantas, napoleons, turtles, reef sharks. Fish life is average
Reef:
Big thila, outer reef
Diving depth:
Min. 9 m – max. 28 m
Experience:
For all levels of certified divers if conditions are suitable
In the southwest monsoon season an astonishing number of manta rays can be seen here when they
come to be cleaned. The reef slopes gently down to 40m. It is interspersed with massive Porites corals
which are homes to colonies of cleaner fish. The manta rays come in from the deep water and hover
over the coral heads while the wrasses set to work. Even without seeing mantas, this is a tremendous
dive site: huge schools of fusiliers, oriental sweetlips, napoleon wrasses, turtles and moray eels.
4. BODUHITHI THILA
Location:
60 minutes north of Baros
Highlights:
This is a cleaning and feeding station for mantas from January till May
(northeast monsoon). Even whale sharks have been spotted here.
Marine life:
Mantas, napoleons, turtles, reef sharks. Fish life is average
Reef:
Huge Thila, inner reef
Diving depth:
Min. 9 m – max. 25 m
Experience:
For all levels of certified divers if conditions are suitable
"Bodu Hithi Thila" is a formation a huge thila (circular reefs) located in the middle of the inner atoll. The
reef top is 8 – 10 m and there are three bays in the reef with sandy bottom between 15 – 25 m. These
sandy bays on the top reef are sometimes known as ‘Manta Road’, as this is where they mostly gather
for cleaning. This is a long reef with the best diving in the southern end. On one point there is a huge
cave at 17 m which divers can look into. On many occasions nurse sharks have been spotted in this
cave and on the top reef underneath the blocks. Hard coral cover is not the best but there are plenty of
healthy light blue soft corals. Manta rays are seen here between December and January.
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TOP 10 DIVE SPOTS
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
5. NASIMO THILA
Location:
45 minutes east of Baros
Highlights:
Marine Protected Area, overhangs overgrown with amazing blue soft corals, pinnacles
of soft corals scattered at various depth from 18 – 25 m. One of the most spectacular
dive sites in the Maldives.
Marine life:
Excellent, shark, tuna, trevally, turtle, schools of snapper and fusilier, violet soldier fish
Reef:
Big thila with overhangs, inside the atoll
Diving Depth: Min. 8 m – max. 30 m
Experience:
For the more experienced diver
This thila offers one of the most spectacular dives in the Maldives. A large section of the reef has broken
off, leaving huge coral boulders in a depth of 18 – 30 m covered with astonishing soft and hard corals.
Where the reef has broken off a long series of overhangs and crevices remain. The ceilings of these
overhangs are beautifully covered with a thick layer of blue soft corals. The fish life is inexhaustible.
6. OKOBE THILA
Location:
35 minutes east of Baros
Highlights:
A broken off coral block, overhangs, covered in soft corals, abundance of fish life
Marine life:
Shark, tuna, trevally, turtle, schools of snapper and fusilier, violet soldier fish
Reef:
Small thila with overhangs inside the atoll
Diving Depth: Min. 8 m – max. 30 m
Experience:
For the more experienced diver
This spectacular site has many different features. The smallest point at the reef is no more than 10 m in
diameter, while the larger one is about 50 m in length. Off this reef is a continuous line of ledges and
overhangs which are covered with a thick layer of soft corals. On the north end of the reef is an
outcrop with an abundant fish life; large groups of blue stripped snappers, oriental sweetlips and fusiliers
can be found here.
On the eastern side is a bigger outcrop and often barracudas, napoleon wrasses, big tunas and trevally
are seen here. The reef is also well known for its excellent coral growth
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TOP 10 DIVE SPOTS
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
7. KUDA HAA
Location:
25 minutes south of Baros.
Highlights:
Marine Protected Area and abundance of fish life.
Marine life:
Napoleon, turtle, moray eels, large groups of blue stripped snapper, red-tooth
triggerfish and basslet, scorpionfish, stonefish
Reef:
2 Small thilas, inside atoll
Diving Depth: Min. 6 m – max. 27 m
Experience:
For all levels of certified divers if conditions are suitable
This reef is a Marine Protected Area, which is known by Baros divers as fish “soup”. It owes this
nickname to its abundant fish life.
The fairy basslet with their colourful males dominate the reef. In some seasons the glass fishes take over.
The reef is then covered with a thick layer of fish, which is a thrilling experience to witness.
The reef consists of two peaks, rising up from the atoll bed, looking like a camel’s back. The larger of the
two humps is about 30 m in diameter with steep sides; its top is at 8 m. The second hump has its
shallowest depth at 13 m.
Both peaks are covered with newly grown hard corals, which offer protection for a diversity of colourful
fish.
8. BAARI THILA
Location:
30 minutes southwest of Baros.
Highlights:
This reef is dived exclusively by Divers Baros Maldives
Marine life:
Sharks, ray, tuna, barracuda, napoleon, oriental sweetlip
Reef:
A small thila detached from the main reef, inside of the atoll
Diving Depth: Min. 6 m – max. 27 m
Experience:
For the more experienced diver
Located at the inside of the atoll lies this thila about 20 m away from the main reef.
The thila can be reached by crossing over from the main reef. The top of this thila starts at 15 m and on
the east side often rays and sharks are to be seen sleeping in the sand.
Barracudas and eagle rays are regularly seen on the deeper end of the thila. The school of oriental
sweetlips is always a good subject for photographers.
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TOP 10 DIVE SPOTS
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
9. FURANA THILA
Location:
40 minutes east of Baros.
Highlights:
An abundant variety of marine life
Marine life:
Schools of basslets and red-tooth triggerfish, scorpion fish, lionfish
Reef:
A small thila, inside the atoll
Diving Depth: Min. 4 m – max. 24 m
Experience:
For all levels of certified divers if conditions are suitable.
You can easily swim around the whole thila in a single dive. The top of the thila is at 4 m and gently
slopes down to the atoll bed at 25 m. The reef consists of healthy hard corals and is home to a colony
of thousands of red-tooth triggerfish and basslets. As currents flow into the atoll often eagle rays have
been spotted here.
10. BAROS HOUSE REEF
Location:
Just a few metres from the beach
Highlights:
Sharks, turtles, ray, a small wrack, an abundance of marine life
Marine life:
Sharks, ray, batfish, groupers, schools of fusilier-surgeonfish,
Reef:
2 reefs, 1 attached to the island and 1 in deeper depth which can easily be reached
Diving Depth: Min. 2 m – max. 30 m
Experience:
For beginners and advanced divers
The Baros House reef encircles the island and is known as one of the best house reefs in the Maldives. It
is 300 m-long and just a few metres from the beach. It gently slopes down to 20 m where large coral
outcrops with an astonishing variety of marine life contribute to the amazing scenery. The house reef is
a nursery ground for black tip sharks which means that black tip sharks are an everyday sight in their
habitat. Turtles are often seen in shallower depth.
Buddy pairs can benefit from a whole day access to the house reef (9.00 – 17.00 hours); even night
dives can be done straight of the reef.
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DIVE FAQ
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
Why should I dive with Divers Baros Maldives?
Baros Maldives lies in the middle of the North Male’ atoll and therefore benefits from a wide selection
of dive sites. Amongst them are Marine Protected Areas, dive sites exclusive to Divers Baros Maldives,
and the North Male’ Classics.
Baros Maldives is fortunate to have a fabulous House Reef encircling the island and is easily accessible.
Buddy pairs can take advantage from a whole day access to the House Reef.
When are the best possibilities to see Manta rays?
Due to the central location of Baros Maldives we have the opportunity to dive at 2 Manta points with a
good possibility of manta sighting. In the North-East Monsoon, from December until April mantas in the
North are frequently spotted in relatively shallow water to feed on plankton. On the reef slope the
mantas often make a stop to get “cleaned” by the cleaner wrasses. From May till November (South
West Monsoon) there are mantas in the east where they come to the cleaning station.
These different manta dive spots are related to the monsoon and therefore it is difficult for us to predict
exactly when and where they will be. Remember, manta rays live in freedom in the Indian Ocean and
therefore a guarantee of manta sighting unfortunately cannot be given.
What is the water temperature?
The water temperature is usually between 27 and 31 degrees.
Will I need a medical statement for diving?
Certified divers: For all divers it is recommended to bring a valid diving medical statement, which
mentions that you are fit for diving. But that does not mean that you cannot dive with us if you don't
have a medical statement with you.
Every diver has to sign our booking contract in which it states that:
 you underwent a recent medical examination (not older than 2 years) and were found fit for diving.
 you do not suffer from any chronic diseases (such as organic disease of the heart, diabetes).
Uncertified divers: For all who would like to try the excitement of diving we offer the Discover Scuba
Diver course. To participate in this programme we require a diving medical statement which states that
you are fit for diving. When you don’t have this you are required to fill out a medical questionnaire at
the Dive Centre. Should you require to receive this medical questionnaire before arriving at Baros,
please send us an email.
Can I pre-book?
It would be a great pleasure to assist you with pre-booking your dives; please feel free to send us an
email about your plans: [email protected]
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DIVE FAQ
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
I have forgotten/ lost my certification card/ licence, can I still dive?
Yes, as long as evidence of certification can be provided e.g. log book, verification letter from your
certifying dive company. You can do this by contacting your original certifying organisation. We can
provide assistance in this area if you are PADI affiliated.
Do I need to do an Orientation Dive?
Divers who have not been diving in the last 3 months are required to do an orientation dive as per
Maldivian Diving Law. A Refresher Dive is recommended for divers who have not dived for a period of
over 1 year. The Orientation and Refresher Dives are normal dives of max. 60 minutes and are done at
the Baros House Reef.
What is the minimum age for diving?
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8 years is the absolute minimum age
8 – 10 years max. depth 2 m
10 – 12 years max depth 12 m
10 – 15 years max depth18 m
15+ years 30 m
What are the daily schedules?
Boat dives are daily at 9.00 –12.00 am and 2.00 – 4.00 pm
For Orientation and Refresher Dives and all courses we have the following slots available:
9.30 – 11.30 am, 1.30 – 3.30 pm and 3.30 – 5.30 pm
All dives are one tank dives, should you be interested in a 2 tank dives we offer our unique programme
Diving by Design. For more details see our website “Diving by Design” or send us an email:
[email protected]
When can I fly after diving?
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For single dives within the no decompression limits, a minimum pre-flight surface interval of 12 hours
is suggested.
For repetitive dives and/ or multi-day dives within the no decompression limits, a minimum pre-flight
surface interval of 18 hours is suggested.
For dives requiring decompression stops, a minimum pre-flight surface interval greater than 18 hours
is suggested.
Can we take a dive insurance with you?
Yes DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network) offer a special short term diving insurance for the Republic of
Maldives. For more questions, please feel free to contact us at: [email protected]
7
DID YOU KNOW THAT?
DIVE & SNORKEL GUIDE
Will a shark drown if it stops moving?
That depends on the shark! Generally, sharks have to swim for two reasons: first, sharks lack the swim
bladder that most fish use to adjust their buoyancy. Swimming creates lift that prevents sharks from
sinking, using much the same principle that a wing is used to lift an airplane.
Secondly sharks, like other marine animals, get their oxygen from the water. Bony fishes use muscles to
pump water through their gills, where oxygen is extracted. Sharks, however, use a ramjet ventilation
system that requires them to swim to force water to the gills.
However, sharks like Nurse Sharks or Wobbegongs have mechanisms to move water through their gills,
and thus do not need to swim constantly to breathe. This method is called buccal pumping, whereby
cheek muscles pull water into the mouth and over the gills. Dorsoventrally flattened sharks, but also rays
that spend most of their time on the bottom of the ocean floor, also breathe this way.
How long can turtles stay underwater without breathing?
When they are active, sea turtles must swim to the ocean surface to breathe every few minutes. When
they are resting, they can remain underwater for as long as 2 hours without breathing.
Why do underwater photos look so blue?
The ocean looks blue because water – even when very clear – absorbs and filters out the red side of
the colour spectrum. So naturally our pictures will all look blue, unless you get close. So the basic tips
for underwater photography are to go as close to the object as possible to get nice colours, and to
shoot up or across, in order to make your subject to stand out from the background as good as
possible.
Are our sharks dangerous?
No, our sharks are reef sharks and not interested in attacking humans. They have plenty of fish in the
ocean to feed on. In the Maldives, no unprovoked shark attacks have been recorded in history.
Remember that out of about 8 – 12 people who die of shark attacks worldwide every year, humans kill
around 200 million sharks in the same time!
Is it true that the sea level is rising?
Yes. Over the past 100 years, the sea level has risen with an average of 10 – 25 cm and scientists
expect this rate to increase. Sea levels will continue rising even if the climate has stabilised, because the
ocean reacts slowly to changes. 10,000 years ago the ocean level was about 110 m lower than it is now.
Why isn’t it allowed to take dead shells back home?
Empty shells, once produced by snails, still offer shelter for hermit crabs and therefore they must not be
removed from our beaches. Hermit crabs have to protect their soft abdomen with a shell and have to
find the right size of shell every time they outgrow their old “house”.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Marine Centre at Baros Maldives: [email protected]
Divers Baros Maldives: [email protected]
Tel: +960 664 26 72 Fax: +960 664 34 97
[email protected] • www.baros.com