Maldives Cruising Guide

The information in this volume comes from various sources: publications, cruising notes, reports from friends and local seafarers. First thanks go to the crews taking turns on board the Dhoni Stella boats from 2006 to 2008 and, in particular, to the owner of the yachts, Ali Shareef and the captains: Abdulla Hameedh (Barey), Mohamed Nasir and Mohamed Raha. A special thanks for their invaluable contribution: to professor Paolo Colantoni of the Geodynamics and Sedimentology Institute of the University of Urbino for indications of a geological nature; to Paolo Cosmelli and Marco Dossena for the section devoted to fishing; to Hussain Areef (Iboo) for the details on the archipelago's surf points; to Gianluca Rossetti and Alba Chigi of Albatros Top Boat for the underwater photographs and the information on the atolls of Laamu and Huvaadhoo; to Ahmed Nasru for consultancy on the local language; to Mohamed Hameed of Antrac Maldives for the invaluable explanations of customs formalities; to A.U.M. Fawzy and Inthikab Ahmed of Maldivian Air Taxi for the aerial photographs; and to Abdulla Reyshan of Think Maldives for preparing the charts. Lastly, my most heartfelt thanks go to Antonio Penati of Edizioni II Frangente in Verona for suggesting and encouraging this guide and making it possible and, above all, to my parents Edoardo Molteni and Fernanda Capresi, who gave me the opportunity to discover and experience this wonderful earthly paradise called the Maldives. Содержание: Contents The navigation history of the Maldives Traditional boats and local vessels Geography Geological formation Monsoons Temperatures Rainfall and humidity The Maldivian seasons Weather forecasts Temperature and salinity of the sea Ocean current Tidal current Transparency of the water Waves Fauna and flora on land Marine fauna Fishing Protected marine species and bans Marine reserves and protected islands Environmental problem Pollution and the disposal of solid, organic and toxic waste Preparing your boat Protection against lightning Anchors and anchoring Water and electricity Gas, fuel and laundry service Nautical charts and other publications for navigation VHF AM-FM-SSB-CW Cell phones, web and e-mails Medical services and hospitals Parasites and infections Dangerous marine life Restaurants Wines and spirits Fruit, vegetables and food Shops for nautical equipment and boat maintenance Shops for diving and surfing equipment Repairs and dry docking Transport Useful numbers for seafarers Customs formalities and cruising permits Customs bans Procedures for visiting resorts and picnic islands Procedures for visiting deserted islands and sandstrips Procedures for visiting the villages of the locals Local yachts charter Scuba diving Surfing Navigation glossary Navigating in the Maldives Flash signalling Harbours and marinas Itineraries Itineraries Haa Alifu (HA) - lhavandhippolhu Atoll Haa Alifu and Haa Dhaalu (HA, HDh) North and South Thiladhunmathee Atoll Shaviyani (SH) - North Miladhunmadulu Atoll Noonu (N) - South Miladhunmadulu Atoll Raa (R) - North Maalhosmadulu Atoll Baa (B) - South Maalhosmadulu Atoll Lhaviyani (LH) - Faadhippolhu Atoll Kaafu Atoll (K) - North Male Atoll Kaafu Atoll (K) - South Male Atoll Alifu Alif(AA)-North Ari Atoll Alifu Dhaalu (ADh) - South Ari Atoll Vaavu (V) - Felidhoo Atoll Faafu (V) - North Nilandhoo Atoll Dhaalu (Dh) - South Nilandhoo Atoll Meemu (M) - Mulaku Atoll Thaa (TH)- Kolhumadulu Atoll Laamu (L) - Hadhdhunmathee Atoll Gaaf Alifu (GA) - North Huvaadhoo Atoll Gaaf Dhaalu (GDh) - South Huvaadhoo Atoll Seenu (S) and Gnaviyani (GN) -Addu and Foammulah Atolls