This morning before dawn we arrived at Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and one of the premiere snorkel and dive locations in the Maldives. The scout boat left at dawn and reported back remarkable underwater conditions on the outer edge of the reef. After breakfast we boarded the Zodiacs and transferred out to the snorkel platform for our morning snorkeling activities. After donning our snorkel gear we slipped below the waves to be greeted by the huge biodiversity of marine life and colorful corals.
We swam with an assortment of different butterfly fish darting in amongst the coral heads and when we looked off into the deep blue from the edge of the reef we were astounded by the thousands of fish that were swimming in the water column feeding on tiny organisms too small for us to see.
The scuba divers reported back similar amazing conditions at their dive site a short distance away, they were also enjoying many sightings of turtles and pretty fish such as the brilliant lion fish, captured in the photo by our undersea specialist Mike Greenfelder.
During lunch Captain Lubo repositioned the ship to the far side of Baa Atoll and dropped the anchor next to another lovely island named Aidhoo Island for our afternoon activities.
We were able to snorkel right off the scenic sandy beach and along a stunning wall of coral with thick clouds of trigger fish engulfing us as we swam along the wall. After a few hours of fantastic snorkeling a bell could be heard ringing on the beach and we immediately returned to the island to investigate its origin. We were pleasantly surprised to see one of our friendly waiters offering us delicious ice cream as we exited the warm tropical water and lay on the soft sand.
As the sun began to fade into the horizon the hotel team arrived on shore once again to serve us tasty cocktails and delightful appetizers on the beach as we enjoyed yet another incredible Maldivian blood orange sunset before returning to the ship for the expedition team’s recap of the day’s events and Tim’s briefing on tomorrow’s exciting expedition.
