Maldives
Region: Indian Ocean, South Asia Type: Coral atolls; mantas, whale sharks, reef systems Significance: Premier manta ray destination; professional filmmaking location; coral bleaching case study First Wetpixel coverage: ~2005
Overview
The Maldives appears in 100 Wetpixel articles, making it one of the most frequently covered tropical destinations. Coverage centers on two pillars: extraordinary manta ray and whale shark encounters (especially at Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll), and its role as a high-end filming location for professional underwater cinematographers. The Maldives also serves as a recurring case study in coral bleaching and shark conservation policy.
Manta Rays and Hanifaru Bay
The Baa Atoll manta aggregation at Hanifaru Bay is the single most discussed Maldives topic on Wetpixel. By 2010, overcrowding had become critical — up to 200 divers/snorkelers in the water at once (limit: 80), threatening the aggregation ([1]).
Baa Atoll was declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in July 2011, protecting the manta and whale shark aggregation ([2]).
A 14-year study of manta mating behavior was published in 2018, documenting 229 courtship events in the Maldives ([3]). South Ari Atoll is one of the world’s few year-round whale shark aggregation sites.
Professional Filmmaking
The Maldives is repeatedly cited as a destination for cutting-edge underwater video technology:
- 2010: Howard Hall shot with RED ONE in Gates DEEP RED housing aboard M/V Manthiri, producing “Maldives in RED” and “The Blue Ocean in Red” ([4], [5])
- 2013: Ron Lagerlof filmed manta cleaning station at Dhara Muli with RED EPIC in Gates DEEP EPIC housing ([6])
Conservation
- 2010: Most serious coral bleaching since 1998 El Nino — 10–15% of shallow reef coral completely white, 50–70% paling. Marine biologist Guy Stevens (Manta Trust) warned of gradual ecosystem decline ([7])
- 2012: At Rio+20, President Waheed announced the Maldives would become the world’s largest marine reserve by 2017 ([8])
- 2018: Jason deCaires Taylor opened the Coralarium underwater sculpture at Fairmont Maldives in July; Maldivian police destroyed it with pickaxes in September on a court order from outgoing President Yameen ([9], [10])
- 2021: Fisheries Minister stated the ban on shark fishing might be lifted. Wetpixel published a call to action with email templates for advocacy; Alex Mustard provided images. The ban was ultimately upheld after international pressure, with 429 kg of fins seized that year ([11], [12])
Events
- 2012: First Maldives Underwater Festival at LUX resort, South Ari Atoll, featuring Pascal Kobeh, Junji Takasago, and Jean-Jacques Mayol ([13])
- 2010: Eric Cheng led a manta expedition aboard MV Orion to Baa Atoll/Hanifaru Bay with Reef Check ([14])
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Oct 27, 2010: Diver Numbers May Affect Manta Aggregation In Maldives ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 30, 2011: Baa Atoll Declared Unesco World Biosphere Reserve ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 6, 2018: Paper Documents Manta Mating Behavior ↩
- Wetpixel article, Feb 13, 2010: Howard Hall In The Maldives With A Gates Deep Red System ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 1, 2010: Howard Hall The Blue Ocean In Red ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jan 7, 2013: Dhara Muli Manta Cleaning Station On Divefilm Hd ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 15, 2010: Coral Bleaching Affecting Maldives ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jun 26, 2012: Maldives Creates The Largest Marine Reserve In The World ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 28, 2018: Jason Decaires Taylor Opens Coralarium In The Maldives ↩
- Wetpixel article, Sep 24, 2018: Maldivian Police Destroy Jason Decaires Taylor Sculpture ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 27, 2021: Call To Action Maldives Shark Populations Under Potential Threat ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 13, 2021: Maldives Affirms Continued Ban On Shark Fishing ↩
- Wetpixel article, Apr 3, 2012: Lux Resort Announces Maldives Underwater Festival ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 13, 2010: Join Eric Cheng In The Maldives Aboard The Mv Orion ↩
- Howard Hall — Gates DEEP RED in Maldives (2010) (article) ↩
- Eric Cheng manta expedition (2010) (article) ↩
- Coral bleaching (2010) (article) ↩
- Overcrowding at Hanifaru Bay (2010) (article) ↩
- Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2011) (article) ↩
- Maldives Underwater Festival (2012) (article) ↩
- Manta cleaning station — RED EPIC (2013) (article) ↩
- Coralarium opening and destruction (2018) (article) ↩
- Manta courtship study (2018) (article) ↩
- Shark fishing ban threat and resolution (2021) (article) ↩