Maldives Magical Underwater World
The Maldives’ first Hologram Room recently opened at Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru, is offering a magical “underwater” manta experience for the whole family, and no one gets wet!
Unique hologram programmes, based on real manta rays seen in the surrounding waters of the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, offer an extraordinary opportunity to virtually “swim” with manta rays, as well as other creatures such as the humpback whale, seahorse and mimic octopus.
Two daily sessions of 30 to 45 minutes are hosted at the Resort’s on-site Marine Discovery Centre, offering guests of all ages colourful interactive opportunities to explore a life-size underwater wonderland. This mesmerising, dry-land adventure – easily navigated through the state-of-the-art Hologram Room using a dedicated wand – is bound to cast a spell on young explorers, opening their eyes to an entirely new world.
The Hologram Room can be enjoyed on its own, or as an additional experience after or before heading out to see a real-life manta mass aggregation, a sensational seasonal occurrence (on a regular basis between June and November) near to the Resort. Advanced Hologram Room bookings are essential, as spaces are limited. Children should be able to wear the hologram glasses; they are suited to most children aged four years and above (children must be accompanied by an adult).
The 1,200 dazzlingly beautiful islands and 26 atolls of the Maldives in Southeast Asia is a growing magnet for superyachts. These exotic atolls stretch across the equator oozing luxury and elegance on shores dotted with exclusive resorts, where yacht visitors will also find a luxurious ‘Underwater Spa’ and elegant ‘Underwater Restaurant’. The Maldives is characterized by its splendidly unique underwater life and ecology, a paradise for dive & snorkelling aficionados. The warm waters are home to a diverse array of exotic marine life each creature more colourful than the next.
Visiting yachts can drop anchor and relax on one of their powder-fine white coralline shores and enjoy a meal or some pampering at one of the 170+ truly world-class island resorts, each island with its own resort. A number of resorts feature their own house reefs - easily accessible coral reefs within swimming distance. What really sets the area part from other dive destinations is the sheer abundance of marine life on display.
The great thing is, whether an experienced diver or a casual snorkeler, there will be a dive site for you, making the Maldives one of the most exciting and accessible places to visit underwater. Even better, most of these amazing spots are most easily accessed by boat, reserving some of the most special underwater sites on the planet for yacht visitors. Populated by large and friendly manta rays, masked banana fish, spangled emperor fish and even some approachable sharks, you will find over 2,000 species of fish lurking beneath the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives are one of the few places on Earth where whale sharks can be encountered all year round and is home to 14 species of sharks, the largest being the whale shark. There is no need to fear these gentle giants as they live on a diet of plankton and tiny fish, cruising close to the water's surface with their mouths open to get their feed. The months of December through February offer an opportunity to snorkel at night with the giant whale shark, up to 40 feet long and weighing 20 tons.
“Superyachts flock to Maldives from Nov to May,”, reports MAYA VP & Mohamed Hameed, who heading up Asia Pacific Superyachts Maldives. Adding, “99% of the Maldives territory is made up of sea water and around 240 varieties of corals can be found in the crystal-clear waters of the archipelago. The Maldives is a diving and snorkelling paradise, and is home to some of the most diverse sea life on the planet.”