Underwater fauna
The extreme underwater diversity of the Maldives gives the impression of diving into a giant aquarium. More than 240 varieties of coral, over 1,000 species of fish and 5 types of turtle have been recorded. Surface hard corals are hard hit by the El Niño phenomenon, bleaching and dying visibly. Soft corals and deep-water corals are more resilient, displaying their many colors. During a dive, you're sure to see beautiful tables of acropora, stag horn coral and brain coral. Numerous varieties of gorgonians, alcyonians and sponges line the reefs. The impressive diversity of fish means there's something for everyone. Colorful parrotfish, clownfish, napoleon wrasse, triggerfish, platax and angelfish cruise the shallows. The lagoons are teeming with harmless blacktip and whitetip reef sharks. Swimming along the drop-offs or in the open sea, you may come across large schools of tuna, barracuda, snapper, toadfish or leaffish. No fewer than 26 different species of shark pass through Maldivian waters. In addition to reef sharks, thresher sharks, guitar sharks, tiger sharks, leopard sharks and hammerheads are regularly seen. Some particular sites are renowned for the presence of the whale shark, the world's largest fish. There are three varieties of ray, all protected, which can be encountered in the lagoons, even while snorkeling. Stingrays and eagle rays are very common. The majestic manta ray attracts many divers, as it is easy to observe, depending on the season and location. The NGO Manta Trust has counted no fewer than 5,000 manta rays in the Maldives. So the chances of seeing them are high! Turtles are also a regular sight on communal dives. Five of the world's seven species of sea turtle have already been seen in Maldivian waters. Green and hawksbill turtles are the most common. The larger and more shy leatherback turtle can also be spotted.
Surface flora and fauna
Biodiversity on the surface is far less impressive than underwater. The flora, which is not very diverse, has for the most part been acclimatized by man. These include frangipani, hibiscus, bougainvillea, banana, bamboo and eucalyptus. Coconut palms, breadfruit trees and banyan fig trees are among the "natural" species. Coconut palms probably arrived by sea in the form of a beached coconut that sprouted. These trees are home to fruit bats and flying foxes, geckos, sea swallows, grey herons, frigate birds and Maldivian hornbills. Note the unique presence of a crab plover on the island of Rihiveli, which is thought to have arrived with the 2004 tsunami.
