The Banana reef gets its name from its natural shape
like a banana. This reef stretches from North-East to South over a length of
some three hundred meters. Resort islands that surround banana reef include
Fullmoon Island, Club Med and Kurumba. This reef has emerged as an ideal diving
spot ever since scuba divers began to dive in this part of the North-Male'
Atoll, twenty years ago. The banana reef provides a excellent platforms for
taking photographs as the fish show absolutely no fear of photographers.
However the strong current and the fragile reef makes anchoring the boat quite
a task. Tourists are always requested to be careful not to damage the fragile
reef when anchoring your boat.
The first Maldives dives sites to be discovered and
to gain international recognition was a long reef curved at the western edge
giving it its name, Banana Reef on the south eastern side of the North Male Atoll.
It is one of the most popular dive sites with thousands of scuba divers and
snorkelers visiting each year. It is primarily known for the quality of its
coral coverage supporting a high density of marine life.
While large shoals of reef fish are found everywhere
in the reef, the eastern side is known for its enormous school of banner fish,
sometimes so dense that a diver’s visibility is affected. This area also
attracts morays seen slithering and coiled amongst the coral.
On the western side where the semicircular reef wall
drops sharply to 25 metres, the underwater landscape boasts of a large cave (15
metres). It is inhabited with a host of
exotic reef fish such as squirrel fish, soldier fish, grubbers, puffers,
groupers, small wrasse, large schools of moon, striped and blue dash fusiliers,
sea fans and angel fish among a host of others. In some sections, the fish are regularly
fed by divers.
One of the best dive sites of Banana Reef is at the
north eastern end where the underwater landscape supports spectacular caves,
rock faces, deep gutters and steep overhangs. Divers might come across
predators such as sleek barracudas and sharks among giant trevallys, black
snappers and lumbering giant wrasses. But is still might be worth because equally
spectacular are the coral formations that include some of the best examples of
table corals on top to colorful underwater soft corals and sponges below.
Designed with privacy, relaxation and luxury in
mind, Naladhu Maldives offers some of the best experiences anyone can have on a
tropical island.
It features spacious villas with cool interiors and
magnificent views. The well planned and executed menus and myriad dining
options are also present to suit every mood. The various options of water
sports and rejuvenating spa treatments can often make it hard to pick one. All
and all this Maldives hotel provides truly unforgettable memories.
Being one of the best Maldives Island resorts,
it offers guests the very best of facilities, amenities and service that makes
for a wonderful tropical holiday experience.
