Alpha Maldives Blog

Free Diving & Fun Tube Riding in the Maldives

When visiting the Maldives, holiday makers are always on the lookout for things to do that are exciting and adventurous. With the Maldives surrounded by warm Indian Ocean all year round, there’s plenty of fun to be had both in and on the water. These two activities may grab your attention and ensure a memorable adrenaline rush your next visit.

Free Diving

Free diving is an adventure sport and to make the most of it requires some skill and practice. Free diving is when the swimmer dives below the surface of the ocean with no breathing equipment. For shallow dives and snorkeling outings, amateurs and the inexperienced beginner will feel quite safe.

For deeper dives, the skill comes in the ability of the diver to hold his breath and that is where experience and skill is important.  In the Maldives, you can get all the training you need, along with supervised practice dives and the required equipment. You may want to buy your own gear. If so, you need a low volume mask, a simple snorkel, scuba fins (flippers) and a wet suit.

Safety is paramount, so don’t skip the training. Take care to follow all instructions and adhere to them every time you dive. Some important safety accessories include having a small knife in case any fishing line hinders you from getting to the surface of the water; a marker buoy is essential for free diving – it is a sign to those above the water that there is someone in the ocean at that point; you’ll also need a safety lanyard which is connected to the drop line so that you don’t get lost in the ocean.

Most resorts in the Maldives have assisted diving tours, including options for local dives in shallow reefs with splendid coral gardens. You can also take an excursion to more remote diving areas. In the Maldives you are spoiled for choice when it comes to where to dive.

You can dive in the Maldives all year round. At some times of the year, visibility may not be as great, but the diving will still be good. Sharp rain showers are often followed by sunshine – that’s from May to August. The dry season is from December to March and during those months visibility is particularly good. But whenever you visit the Maldives, diving excursions are available all year round.

 

Fun Tube Riding

This is a fun aqua sport that is available throughout resorts in the Maldives. Fun tube rides are when you climb onto a large inflatable tube and are towed (often at high speed) by a boat. It is quite an adrenaline rush, feeling the spray of the salty water in your face and wind whipping through your hair. Increased speeds raise the level of excitement.

There are a few different kinds of tubes. One that fits up to two people lying flat on their stomachs over the tube and holding onto specially designed grips while they fly across the surface of the water. You need a bit of balance for this one. Hang on tight or you may find yourself flying into the sea, which becomes part of the fun and excitement.

Other tubes allow the rider to sit and lean back as they speed along.

Equipped with a life jacket and experienced tour guides this is one of the most fun excursions to try! Make sure you wear water proof sunblock and stay hydrated.

Be sure to add these two activities to your to-do list when you next visit the Maldives.